WC 2026 ⚽ · 9 June 2026

Meet football's rising stars for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will showcase a record number of new faces, with 891 players making their debut on football's biggest stage. BBC Sport commentators have picked 20 players to watch, including those with nicknames like 'Mazadona', 'Einstein', and 'The Ant'. These rising talents, aged from just 17, are mostly from outside the UK's top football leagues.

By BriefTea Editorial · 9 June 2026 at 12:43

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

Get the app

More briefs

WorldIceland votes against restarting talks on joining the EU PoliticsBurnham to end indefinite jail terms by parliament's end BusinessEngland's free bus pass age will rise to 67 by April 2028 EntertainmentAnne Hathaway joins Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder sequel out 2028 WorldArizona desert deaths of 19 migrants last month hit a two-year record GeneralCatholic Church forced adoptions continued into the 1980s Browse all stories →