4 players who could steal the show at the 2026 World Cup

Every World Cup creates a star that no one saw coming. Colombian James Rodriguez dazzled at the 2014 tournament in Brazil with his spectacular goals which marked the start of his move to Real Madrid. And after helping Argentina win the trophy at Qatar 2022, Enzo Fernández completed a record £106 million move to Chelsea in January 2023. Someone is going to surprise us again this summer. Here are four names to circle before the tournament begins. Age: 29 Position: Forward Club: VfB Stuttgart (German Bundesliga) The conversation around Germany begins and ends with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Naturally, they possess this supernatural ability. But quietly behind them is a striker who has just registered 19 goals and six assists in 28 Bundesliga matches, making him one of the most efficient strikers in the league. He then scored twice against Finland a few days before the team’s departure. German coach Julian Nagelsmann trusts him. Germany will have games where they have to break something coming off the bench. Undav has waited throughout his career for this precise moment to emerge from the shadows on the international stage and become one of the main men at the helm of the team. Age: 21 Position: Winger Club: PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie) Born in Appleton, Wisconsin. Raised in a Bosnian family. He was born during the New England Revolution. He switched his international allegiance from the United States to Bosnia, then stepped up and converted the decisive penalty to knock Italy out of its third consecutive World Cup. He is only 21 years old and plays for PSV. He is a left-handed inverted winger who engages people and creates. Bosnia are in a group with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar – a realistic path to the round of 16. Opposing teams have yet to study him properly and most fans can’t pronounce his last name. Esmir’s game speaks for itself. He is one of those players who would instantly stand out on a futsal pitch. He glides effortlessly with the ball. He has this fascinating technique when he takes on his defender. The goal and assist production has yet to materialize at the national level, but he is still young and inexperienced. The personality he showed in the World Cup qualifier against Italy is a telling sign of his personality and confidence – shining in the biggest moment of his career. Age: 21 Position: Winger Club: RB Leipzig (German Bundesliga) Everything in this Norwegian team revolves around Erling Haaland. Every defensive structure collapses inwards the moment the towering blonde receives the ball in dangerous areas. This is precisely why Nusa, the 21-year-old full-back/right winger, is so dangerous. Space exists thanks to the black hole that engulfs Haaland-shaped defenders. Nusa will make the most of their one-on-one opportunities. He is a direct, fast and cunning winger who plays with great audacity. The planned lineup of manager Ståle Solbakken starts him. Norway won eight out of eight in qualifying. This team isn’t just here to make up the numbers, and Nusa could be one of the main reasons they advance deep into the tournament. Age: 21 Position: Attacking Midfield Club: Como 1907 (Italian Serie A) Argentina arrive as reigning champions with a familiar question hanging over everything: what happens when Messi can’t carry it anymore? The answer might be to wear the squad number right next to it. Paz is 21, plays for Como and is coming off the best season of any Serie A midfielder by most accounts – 21 goals and assists in all competitions. Paz has elite vision and an honest work rate off the ball, and he moves with rare elegance. We don’t expect him to start for Argentina, and that’s fine. Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni will use Paz as an impact replacement. My hunch is that he will make the most of his early minutes and make him a starter at some point in this tournament.