The 32 players who will decide the cup.

01 / 14 Editor’s Choice

Argentina

01. Lionel Messi, the conductor.

Forty matches into Inter Miami’s 2026 season, the No.10 has stopped trying to win games alone — and it’s exactly why Argentina look more dangerous than they did in Doha.

Photograph · AFA / Stadio

02 / 14

Argentina

02. Lautaro Martínez, the new spine.

Inter’s captain has spent the season finishing what Messi starts. Scaloni now plays both, and the data on their combined xG is absurd.

Photograph · Getty Images

03 / 14

Argentina

03. Rodrigo De Paul, the irreplaceable.

Atletico’s midfielder has been quiet for fans and loud for tacticians: more progressive carries than any No.8 in the qualifying cycle.

Photograph · Stadio

04 · Sponsored

Advertisement

VISA

Where you want to be.
The official card of FIFA World Cup 2026^™.

Apply for Visa

Slide 04 of 14 · Ad rotates from GAM

05 / 14 Editor’s Choice

USA

04. Christian Pulisic, finally on home soil.

His Milan form has been the best of his career. A home World Cup arrives at exactly the right moment for the USA captain.

Photograph · USSF / Stadio

06 / 14

USA

05. Folarin Balogun, the No. 9 the USA waited for.

Monaco’s Ligue 1 numbers are real. The question Pochettino keeps answering: does Balogun start over Reyna in the false-nine variation?

Photograph · Stadio

07 / 14

USA

06. Tyler Adams, the press button.

Bournemouth’s engine. If Adams is fit, Pochettino plays a high line. If he isn’t, the entire identity changes.

Photograph · USSF / Stadio

08 · Sponsored

Advertisement

adidas

The 2026
World Cup
kits are here.

Shop the collection

Slide 08 of 14 · Ad rotates from GAM

09 / 14 Editor’s Choice

France

07. Kylian Mbappé, the captain.

Real Madrid’s leading scorer has spent two seasons learning what an armband actually costs. France’s tournament begins and ends with how he wears it.

Photograph · FFF / Stadio

10 / 14

France

08. Aurélien Tchouaméni, the spine.

From Real’s deepest midfielder to France’s entire midfield in one cycle. Deschamps now builds the structure around him, not Pogba’s shadow.

Photograph · Stadio

11 / 14

France

09. Eduardo Camavinga, the second wave.

Real’s 22-year-old has finally settled into a defined role. France use him as the forward-press partner Tchouaméni never quite had.

Photograph · Stadio

12 · Sponsored

Advertisement

Mercurial Air Zoom.
Play Faster.

Shop the boot

Slide 12 of 14 · Ad rotates from GAM

13 / 14 Editor’s Choice

Mexico

10. Santiago Giménez, the home 9.

Feyenoord’s Mexican striker scored at a Dutch-record pace this season. Aguirre is building the front line around him — and the Azteca is waiting.

Photograph · FMF / Stadio

14 / 14

Mexico

11. Edson Álvarez, the captain in waiting.

West Ham’s holding midfielder is the calmest player Mexico have. With Aguirre stepping back from the press, Álvarez’s reading of the game becomes the system.

Photograph · Stadio

15 · Sponsored

Advertisement

ESPN⁺

The Cup Starts Here.
Stream Every Match.

Start free trial

Slide 15 · Final ad · Editorial ends here