World Cup 2026 will be the meeting point of the old generation and the new: Messi and Ronaldo in their last World Cup, Mbapp\u00e9 at the peak of his career, and a new generation of young stars ready to break out.<\/strong> From 48 national teams and 104 matches, these are the players everyone needs to know.<\/p>\n At 27, Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/strong> he's at the peak of his career. World champion in 2018, top scorer of World Cup 2022 (8 goals including a hat-trick in the final!), and captain of France. At Real Madrid he now plays as a central striker \u2014 a different and more dangerous threat.<\/p>\n France are in Group I with Senegal, Norway and a playoff winner. Mbapp\u00e9 is the favorite for the Golden Boot and the Ballon d'Or \u2014 and he arrives hungry.<\/p>\n The 39-year-old Messi<\/strong> is expected to play his last World Cup \u2014 and on home (or near-home) soil. At Inter Miami he's still scoring at a crazy rate: 43 goals in the 2025 season. Argentina, the defending champions, got a comfortable Group J (Austria, Algeria, Jordan). The question: will Messi finish with a second title?<\/p>\n The 41-year-old Ronaldo<\/strong> will be the oldest player at World Cup 2026 (if selected). Portugal are in Group K with Colombia and Uzbekistan. Will we see Messi against Ronaldo in the quarterfinal? Both paths allow for it \u2014 and if it happens, it will be football's historic moment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Lamine Yamal<\/strong> Of Barcelona, 18 years old, already a European champion (Euro 2024) with Spain. Runner-up for the Ballon d'Or, scorer of the tournament goal at the Euros, and a brilliant creator. After recovering from an injury early in the season, his hat-trick against Villarreal proved he's back at full strength. Spain are the bookmakers' favorites<\/strong> \u2014 and Yamal is the main reason.<\/p>\n Gy\u00f6keres<\/strong> of Sporting CP proved yesterday (26.3) why he's considered one of the best strikers in the world: a hat-trick in the playoff against Ukraine<\/strong> (Sweden 3-0). In the 2024\/25 season he scored 54 goals in the Portuguese league. If Sweden qualify (final against Poland on 31\/3), Gy\u00f6keres will be one of the most fearsome players at the World Cup.<\/p>\n Est\u00eav\u00e3o<\/strong> The 18-year-old joined Chelsea from Palmeiras and impressed immediately. Insane talent, exceptional vision, and the ability to change matches. Brazil are in Group C with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti \u2014 and Est\u00eav\u00e3o could become the tournament's breakout star.<\/p>\n Endrick<\/strong>, still a teenager, is on loan at Lyon and rediscovering his scoring touch. Real Madrid<\/a> They paid \u20ac72 million for him \u2014 and Brazil expect him to play a central role at the World Cup. Together with Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior and Est\u00eav\u00e3o, Brazil's attack is fearsome.<\/p>\n Tonali<\/strong> of Newcastle, who was banned for 10 months over betting, came back a different player. Yesterday he scored Italy's opening goal in the 2-0 win over Northern Ireland. If Italy qualify (final against Bosnia on 31\/3), Tonali will be the beating heart of the Azzurri.<\/p>\n Kad\u0131o\u011flu<\/strong> of Real Madrid scored Turkey's winning goal against Romania (1-0) in the playoff. A defender who plays like a midfielder, with an amazing left foot. Together with Arda G\u00fcler<\/strong> (who assisted the goal), Turkey's new generation is ready for the World Cup.<\/p>\n Who are the favorites for World Cup 2026?<\/strong> Will Messi play at World Cup 2026?<\/strong> Who is the young star worth following?<\/strong> Want to see Mbapp\u00e9, Messi, Yamal and Gy\u00f6keres live? World Cup 2026 is the opportunity.<\/p>\n At TikTik<\/strong><\/a> you'll find verified tickets for World Cup 2026 matches \u2014 group stage, knockouts and up to the final. All tickets are secured with fast delivery.<\/p>\n Sports packages and tickets for upcoming matches through TikTik \u00bb<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nKylian Mbapp\u00e9 \u2014 king of the present<\/h2>\n
Lionel Messi \u2014 the great farewell<\/h2>\n
Cristiano Ronaldo \u2014 the farewell tour<\/h2>\n
Lamine Yamal \u2014 the wonder boy<\/h2>\n
Viktor Gy\u00f6keres \u2014 the goal machine<\/h2>\n
Est\u00eav\u00e3o \u2014 Chelsea's Brazilian<\/h2>\n
Endrick \u2014 the kid from Real Madrid<\/h2>\n
Sandro Tonali \u2014 the comeback<\/h2>\n
Ferdi Kad\u0131o\u011flu \u2014 the attacking defender<\/h2>\n
More stars worth following<\/h2>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n
Spain, Argentina, France and England are considered the leading favorites. Brazil and Germany are always dangerous.<\/p>\n
Yes, he's expected to. The 39-year-old Messi is still in excellent form at Inter Miami (43 goals in 2025) and the World Cup is effectively being held "on home soil" in the USA.<\/p>\n
Lamine Yamal (18, Barcelona\/Spain) \u2014 already a European champion, Ballon d'Or runner-up, and one of the most exciting players in the world.<\/p>\n\ud83c\udfab Sports packages and tickets for upcoming matches<\/h2>\n