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L-R: Lionel Messi; Cristiano Ronaldo; Weston McKennie
Credit: LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty; Image Photo Agency/Getty; Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- The World Cup kicks off on June 11 and runs through July 19
- Matches are playing in 16 cities across co-host countries Mexico, Canada and the United States
- From Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, this year's tournament is star-studded
With the World Cup just days away, now's the time to get familiar with the stars of soccer. From Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, this year's tournament — taking place from June 11 through July 19 in 16 cities across Mexico, Canada and the United States — is full of star power.
Things kick off with the group stage matches on June 11. The United States will play their first game on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. against Paraguay.
The World Cup brings out the best talent from across the globe, which means there are tons of athletes to keep an eye on during the tournament. Whether you're a new soccer fan or an experienced World Cup watcher, here are the stars to watch when things kick off.
Lionel Messi
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Lionel Messi on Sept. 4, 2025
Credit: Juan Manuel Baez/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
The most decorated player in soccer, Lionel Messi returns to the FIFA World Cup in hopes of bringing another title to Argentina after a dramatic 2022 victory over France.
The 38-year-old three-time FIFA Best Men’s Player and 2008 Olympic gold medalist has become one of the greatest athletes in the sport since making his professional debut in 2004. When he takes the field, Messi will have the support of his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, as well as their three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Fans can look out for Messi's signature celebration, a point to the sky in honor of his late grandmother, Celia, when they're watching Argentina compete during the tournament. Celia encouraged a young Messi to pursue soccer and now he pays tribute to her when celebrating on the field.
Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo on Oct. 14, 2025
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Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history when he appears in his record sixth World Cup tournament. The Portuguese soccer star, 41, who recently got engaged to his fiancé Georgia Rodriguez with an estimated $5 million ring, is in pursuit of his first World Cup title this year — the single accolade he's yet to achieve.
As one of the most accomplished soccer players of all time, Ronaldo has collected over five UEFA Champions League titles and led Portugal to their first-ever major title at UEFA Euro 2016 and the inaugural 2019 UEFA Nations League.
In pursuit of his first World Cup title, the only major accolade yet to be won in his career, Ronaldo recently said he's on a "world mission" at this year's tournament.
Ronaldo currently holds the men's professional record for the most career goals, per CNN, and he was the first person in history to have more than one billion followers on social media. Ronaldo said in 2025 that this year's tournament will be his last, according to CNN.
Erling Haaland
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Erling Haaland of Norway in action during the international friendly match between Norway and Switzerland at Ullevaal Stadion on March 31, 2026
Credit: Stuart Franklin/Getty
A FIFA World Cup newcomer, Erling Haaland of Norway will make his debut at this year’s tournament. The 25-year-old striker broke the all- time Premier League single-season scoring record with 36 goals in 2022-23.
Haaland was born into a family of athletes: His father, Alfie Haaland, played in the Premier League for Leeds United, while his mother, Gry Marita Braut, was a heptathlete champion in the 1990s.
The Bryne native is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, and fans love him for his personality. Haaland's bio on X reads, "Every morning you have two choices: Continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase them."
Vinícius Jr.
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Vinicius Jr. on June 28, 2024
Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Already one of the biggest names in the sport, Vinicius Jr. is set for his second World Cup appearance. The 25-year-old Real Madrid star— a forward and left winger — was named the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2024.
At the age of 10, the athlete from São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, joined the youth academy of the prestigious Brazilian club, Flamengo. In 2017, at just 16 years old, he made his professional debut for Flamengo just before Real Madrid signed him in a deal worth £38 million [$51 million]—a national record for a player under 18, according to BBC.
Fans can keep an eye out for his pace, technique and dribbling ability when they watch Brazil compete in the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé
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Kylian Mbappé practices for the 2026 World Cup
Credit: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty
Kylian Mbappé is ready to make a mark on his third FIFA World Cup when France takes on Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the tournament next month. The 27-year-old Paris native helped lead France to a World Cup win in 2018 and holds the record for most goals scored in a World Cup Finals.
Mbappé became a breakout star in the 2018 tournament and went on to win the Golden Boot as a tournament's top scorer when he returned to the World Cup final in 2022.
As a kid, Mbappé's interests spanned from sports to music. As an adult, the soccer star loves sports cars, and despite having owned a number of the vehicles, Mbappé just got his driver’s license in April.
Weston McKennie
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Weston McKennie on May 31, 2026
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Described by fans and his teammates as a "Swiss army knife" on the soccer field, Weston McKennie will make his return to the World Cup for the United States this year. In 2022, McKennie was a key starter for the U.S. and played in all four matches with the team before elimination.
Originally from Little Elm, Texas, the 27-year-old McKennie became well-known for his fun hairstyle in the 2022 World Cup, where he rocked red, white and blue stripes in the matches to represent the U.S.
This year, he says he's planning on bringing the hype back again with another patriotic look. "I'm definitely going to do something," he said on the Supporters Sectionpodcast on May 28.
Harry Kane
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Harry Kane practices for the 2026 World Cup
Credit: Soccer Images/Shutterstock
Returning for his third FIFA World Cup, 2018 Golden Boot winner Harry Kane hopes to lead England to a World Cup win. He's currently England's all-time top goalscorer with 78 goals. He also holds the title for Tottenham Hotspur.
The 32-year-old Kane will have the support from his wife, high-school sweetheart Kate Goodland, and their four children at the tournament.
Kane embodies greatness and surrounds himself with it. The soccer star even named his dogs, Wilson and Brady, after NFL quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Tom Brady, respectively.
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