Legacy on the Line: 6 stars who must shine at FIFA World Cup 2026

The World Cup season is upon us and the superstars of the game are ready to entertain the world on the biggest stage possible. as always all eyes were on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldoand the battle between them for the highest prize.

But these two aren’t the only superstars of the game who will be in the mix this time around. Players like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal will be the players their teams look to for that one moment of magic.

But with the pressure of the nation weighing on them, one thing these superstars can’t afford is a slip-up on the biggest stage of all.

We look at six superstars for whom failure at the World Cup is out of the question and who must fulfill their promise.

Erling Haaland

If you start talking about Erling Haaland, chances are you’ll run out of adjectives. He remained Manchester City’s goalscoring machine throughout the 2025–26 campaign, finishing with 27 Premier League goals. A further eight came in the Champions League, alongside 9 assists for the entire season. Haaland will be key to Norway’s World Cup chances (Courtesy: Reuters)

But his real test will now come at the 2026 World Cup. Norway are back in the tournament after a long wait of 28 years and will need their talisman to ensure it is a memorable one.

Haaland has scored 21 goals in 14 World Cup qualifiers for his country and for him the tournament can cement his legacy as one of the modern-day greats.

KYLIAN MBAPPE

This will be Mbappe’s second World Cup campaign and his first time captaining France on the big stage. The Real Madrid striker has 12 goals in 14 World Cup appearances and will be looking to put the memories to rest at Qatar 2022.

Mbappe single-handedly changed the course of the final with a sensational hat-trick against Argentina, only for two to eventually lose on penalties. Mbappe has scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup appearances (courtesy: Reuters)

Since 2022, Mbappe has gone from strength to strength, but his final campaign with Real Madrid was marred by a lot of noise off the pitch.

Despite scoring 42 goals in 44 games for Los Blancos, he saw a petition signed for his expulsion from the club. But France has always been a safe haven for the 27-year-old.

And now it’s time for him to stand up.

YAMAL LAMINATE

Lamine Yamal has been the golden boy of world football for some time now. He made his mark on the big stage at the age of 16 when he helped Spain win Euro 2024.

Two years later, he may still be young, but the expectations will be even higher this time around. The Barcelona striker scored 24 goals and set up 18 assists in a stellar campaign that saw the Blaugrana lift the LaLiga title. Can Yamal set the stage on fire at the World Cup? (Courtesy: Reuters)

It will be his first taste of the World Cup and he will see much of Spain’s game through him. He is no longer a boy and will carry the weight of an entire nation as they look to add a second star to their crest.

HARRY KANE

England and Thomas Tuchel faced a lot of willpower in selecting the team, but the first name on the team sheet would be Harry Kane. The Three Lions will want their captain to step up and ensure the trophy comes home.

It was a record-breaking campaign for him at club level, scoring an incredible 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich. There were times when he even played as a No. 10 and always worked to better connect his teammates. Kane has scored 61 in 51 games for Bayern this season (courtesy: Reuters)

Kane needs to be firing on all cylinders if England are to achieve deep success in the tournament. He has 8 goals in the World Cup and won the Golden Boot in 2018.

With the form he is carrying into the World Cup, no one would bet against him going for the accolade once again.

BRUNO FERNANDEZ

This will be Bruno Fernandes’ third World Cup and one where he will be a creative force for Portugal. Expectations will be high for the 31-year-old after a record-breaking 21-assist campaign with Manchester United.

Fernandes seems to be at the peak of his powers at the moment. While Ronaldo will always remain Portugal’s main man, Fernandes could be the force that creates the spark that can produce magic on the pitch.

The Euro 2016 champions enter the tournament as early favourites, aiming to give Ronaldo the missing puzzle from his trophy cabinet.

If that happens, Fernandes will have to pull the strings and add assists.

VINICIUS JR.

For Vinicius Jr. it was an indifferent campaign with Real Madrid. Although he scored 16 goals in 36 games for Los Blancos in LaLiga, off-field drama dominated his club campaign. He will now have to step up in Brazil colors as they look for inspiration. Can Vini create some magic at the World Cup? (Courtesy: Reuters)

While Neymar is back for the World Cup, it remains to be seen whether he will be fully fit for the competition. This means that Vini Jr. will be marketed from the left side for goals and assists, which he will need to improve for the Selecao.

The forward has nine goals and nine assists in 48 games and the World Cup could be the perfect stage for him to make a sensational campaign on the grandest stage of them all.

– The end

Published on:

June 4, 2026 12:45 PM IST