Who are the best star players to watch at World Cup 2026?

Lionel Messi’s magical feet, Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrobatic finishes, Lamine Yamal’s exploits on the wing and Kylian Mbappe’s sensational speed.

The wait is almost over to witness it all, as the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday, June 11.

From the legends of the game to emerging stars, Al Jazeera picks out the top 10 players to watch at the tournament:

Four years ago, Messi fulfilled a childhood dream when he lifted the elusive World Cup, the missing piece in his vast collection of trophies.

Now, aged 38, the star forward returns for a joint-record sixth appearance at the finals, as Argentina look to successfully defend the title won in Qatar.

The heartbeat of Argentinian football, Messi’s involvement at this edition could be limited, as age and fitness dictate his role in their title defence.

Yamal may be only 18 years old, but the winger, easily the best of his generation, shows maturity far beyond his years.

After playing a key role in guiding Spain to the Euro 2024 title , Yamal heads to his maiden World Cup, with fans and critics eager to see which new tricks he will pull out of his hat.