By Enitan Abdultawab
Sometimes, footballers’ careers are defined by the FIFA World Cup, and the 2026 edition is expected to present a new generation of talent to fans throughout the world. Some players would be making their debut on the biggest stage of football, preparing to make an impact.
These rookies have earned their positions because of their outstanding international breakthroughs and steady club performances. Each of these individuals, who range from great goal scorers to midfielders, has a special set of abilities that could influence their national teams’ futures.
Below are top ten players who will be featuring in their first World Cup:
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Haaland is one of the most feared strikers in the world, known for his speed, positioning, and clinical finishing. Norway will, once again, rely heavily on his goal-scoring prowess in their first World Cup appearance in years as he almost singlehandedly, alongside Antonio Nusa, dragged his country to the biggest football stage. This debut is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see if he can replicate his club form on the international stage.
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has already impressed at Barcelona with his creativity and composure on the ball. The World Cup will be his first chance to showcase his talents on the biggest stage. His pace, dribbling, and vision make him a dangerous threat to any defence. The Barcelona prodigy has shown what he has got after he inspired Spain to the 2024 Euros victory and the final of the 2025 Nations League.
Desire Doue (France)
Doué is a rising attacker for Paris Saint-Germain and France, known for his dribbling skills and tactfulness. The 2026 World Cup marks his first international tournament at the senior level. Doue earned this call after his impressive campaign with PSG last season, including scoring a brace in the UCL final versus Inter Milan.
Gabriel Maghales (Brazil)
Gabriel said he prioritised his sons’ birth over playing in the qualifiers of the 2022 World Cup, hence, his possible reason for his absence. However, he did not make his international debut until 2023. Now, being a solid starter for Arsenal, Maghales will be playing in his first FIFA World Cup in June.
Fermin Lopez (Spain)
After the Barcelona midfielder shone at the 2024 Olympics, spearheading Spain’s victory, Lopez has earned a spot for his dynamic playmaking skills, intensity and shooting ability in Spain’s midfield. He might not earn a starting spot but he will definitely compete with the likes of Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo in the midfield.
Florian Wirtz (Germany)
In May 2022, coach Hansi Flick expressed his willingness to name Wirtz in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, though he ultimately missed the tournament due to his ACL injury. Now fit and ready to go, the Liverpool midfielder was impressive in Germany’s last two friendlies ahead of this tournament and he surely cannot wait to play on the world’s biggest stage.
Cole Palmer (England)
Cole Palmer did not make the squad for England in 2022 as he was still finding his feet at Manchester City. The following season, he moved to Chelsea and has been a talisman for the English club, winning the Conference League and the newly reformed FIFA Club World Cup. Palmer made the squad for England’s 2024 Euros but rarely started, though came on from the bench and scored in the final. He might be struggling right now but he will play a major role in this upcoming tournament.
Joao Neves (Portugal)
During the World Cup tournament in late 2022, he was a rising talent in the Benfica youth system, making his unofficial first-team debut in a friendly on December 11, 2022, shortly after Portugal’s participation. Now, aged 21 and a rising star at PSG, Neves joins an already star-studded Portugal for the FIFA World Cup.
Luis Diaz (Colombia)
Diaz is known for his explosive speed and dribbling on the wings. He recently said he is excited ahead of his participation in the upcoming tournament. Colombia did not play in the last FIFA World Cup in 2022. They failed to qualify after finishing sixth in the South American (CONMEBOL) qualifiers. However, Colombia has qualified for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, finishing third in the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.
Joao Pedro (Brazil)
Joao Pedro is gradually becoming a technically gifted forward with strong finishing instincts. His first World Cup is expected to showcase his agility and movement in the final third as he is poised to be the starter for the Carlo Ancelotti side. In the last edition, he was playing for Brighton and Hove Albion. However, his recent move to Chelsea has added to his CV, thereby worthy of a call-up.
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