The Road to 2026: Who Will Shape the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to be co‑hosted by three nations, with matches scheduled across the United States, Mexico and Canada. As the tournament approaches, analysts have turned their attention to the players who are most likely to feature on the world stage.
FOX Sports’ soccer panel of Maurice Edu, Stu Holden and Alexi Lalas has compiled a ranking of the top 100 athletes expected to earn a spot in the final squads. The list blends established internationals with rising talents, offering a snapshot of the talent pool that will shape the competition.
Insights from the FOX Sports Panel
Among the defenders, Pervis Estupiñán of Ecuador, now at AC Milan, and Lisandro Martínez of Argentina, a mainstay at Manchester United, are highlighted for their defensive solidity. In attack, Alexander Isak of Sweden, now at Liverpool, and Marcus Thuram of France, who joins Inter Milan, are cited as forwards poised to make an impact.
Midfielders such as Phil Foden of England, who continues to impress at Manchester City, and Mikel Merino of Spain, now with Arsenal, are expected to orchestrate play for their respective nations. The ranking also includes emerging stars like Kaoru Mitoma of Japan, whose performances for Brighton have earned him a place on the list.
The diversity of the top 100 reflects the global reach of the sport. Players from Brazil, Portugal, Spain, England, France, Argentina, South Korea, Sweden, the Netherlands and even countries like Türkiye and Ecuador are represented. Notably, João Cancelo, on loan at Barcelona from Al‑Hilal, and Arda Güler of Türkiye, a Real Madrid prospect, illustrate the cross‑league movement of talent.
Striking a balance between experience and youth, the list also features veterans such as Casemiro of Brazil, now at Manchester United, and younger prospects like Gabriel Martinelli of Brazil, who continues to develop at Arsenal. The analysts stress that the final tournament could see unexpected breakthroughs, especially from players who are currently on the cusp of regular first‑team action.
Beyond individual profiles, the ranking offers insight into tactical trends. The prevalence of versatile defenders like Jules Koundé of France and Jeremie Frimpong of the Netherlands suggests that teams will prioritize flexibility. Meanwhile, the presence of goalkeepers such as Kim Min‑jae of South Korea, who has established himself at Bayern Munich, underscores the importance of solid last‑line defense.
As the qualifiers progress, the rankings will inevitably shift. However, the current top 100 provides a compelling narrative for fans eager to track the rise of their national heroes. With the tournament just a few years away, the excitement is building, and the world will soon witness a new chapter in soccer history.