7 Breakout Players to Watch at FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature plenty of big names and top-level talent, with stars set to shine for over a month. But it won’t just be about Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Jude Bellingham. There are many other players who will be looking to prove themselves and show they belong at the highest level. The tournament gives them the perfect chance to display their skills and move their careers forward, just like many reputed stars have done in the past.

This time, the competition between the teams is expected to remain tough, which means we can expect the emergence of some new names. If you don’t know which of these new football stars could set the stage on fire, read this article in detail. It will tell you about the key players who are expected to shine in the mega event, as their recent performances for various clubs have been encouraging.

Let’s take a quick look at them below.

Key Future Stars to Follow in FIFA World Cup 2026

Dan Ndoye – Switzerland

The Swiss attacking player joined the Premier League in the summer of 2025 after Nottingham Forest signed him from Bologna in a deal worth around $40 million. He is not a traditional winger and is comfortable playing across different attacking positions, including as a centre-forward when required.

His first season in England was not easy, largely because of Nottingham Forest’s struggles, especially during the opening months of the campaign. However, the World Cup could give him a great opportunity to show what he can do on the biggest stage.

Lucas Bergvall – Sweden

The Tottenham midfielder, born in 2006, is expected to play a key role for Sweden under former Chelsea manager Graham Potter. He is one of the young players who could attract plenty of attention during the tournament and build his reputation beyond club football.

With Tottenham falling short of expectations in recent times, the World Cup offers him a great chance to show his quality in front of a worldwide audience.

Donyell Malen – Netherlands

Since arriving at AS Roma in January 2026, he has made a strong impression and played an important role in helping Gian Piero Gasperini’s side secure a place in the Champions League. His performances convinced the Italian club to activate the purchase option in his deal from Aston Villa.

He is set to represent the Netherlands at this summer’s World Cup, with many viewing the Dutch side as one of the teams capable of surprising the favorites.

Nico Paz – Argentina

Out of all the players on this list, Nico Paz looks like the one most likely to become a real breakout star in the coming years. The Argentine midfielder has shown huge talent and played a big role during his two years at Como, helping the club reach Champions League qualification this season.

Still, Real Madrid hold control over his future, and he is expected to head back to Spain after the World Cup. Nevertheless, his performances for Argentina will be watched closely throughout the World Cup, as he has the potential to win the Golden Boot of the tournament.

Takefusa Kubo – Japan

The Japanese winger, who also spent part of his youth career in Barcelona’s academy, has become one of Real Sociedad’s key players in Spain. The upcoming World Cup could be another important step in his development as a footballer.

Japan is a team many fans will be watching closely and could emerge as one of the surprise packages of the tournament. Among their talented squad, Takefusa Kubo stands out as one of the most exciting players to watch.

Martin Baturina – Croatia

The Croatian midfielder is one of the most promising players in Zlatko Dalić’s squad. He joined Como in the summer of 2025 from Dinamo Zagreb, and together with Inter midfielder Petar Sučić, he is seen as part of Croatia’s next generation, especially with Luka Modrić expected to play his final World Cup.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has already caught the attention of several clubs across Europe. However, Como are not looking to sell him this summer, particularly after securing a historic place in the Champions League.

Ismael Saibari – Morocco

After a strong season with PSV, where he helped them win the league title, he scored 15 goals and became an important part of the team. He is now close to moving to Bayern Munich this summer.

At international level, he will play for Morocco, who are seen as one of the stronger teams at the World Cup. They will face Scotland, Brazil and Haiti in the group stage.

Final Words

The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to be a thrilling event, as all teams are coming into the tournament with star-studded lineups. Apart from reputed names, some new stars are also expected to emerge in the coming weeks, especially from those teams that are considered dark horses. Fans are therefore excited for the start of the tournament, as it promises plenty of action with many nail-biting matches coming ahead.