Sports

From Ronaldo, Messi to Rice: Top stars to watch at 2026 World Cup

Published

4 days ago

June 5, 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, features a massive 48-team field packed with global superstars, established icons, and rising talents.

According to a post obtained from MSN.com on Friday, here’s a look at some of the most famous and impactful players heading to the tournament:
Veteran Legends

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): The all-time international goalscorer is set for a record sixth World Cup at age 41. He remains Portugal’s captain and biggest draw, chasing the one major trophy still missing from his collection.

Lionel Messi (Argentina): The 2022 champion captain is likely making his final World Cup appearance. Even in the twilight of his career, Messi’s genius continues to captivate fans worldwide.

Global Superstars

Kylian Mbappé (France): One of the top Golden Boot contenders and one of the world’s most dangerous forwards.

Erling Haaland (Norway): Making his World Cup debut and expected to be a goal-scoring machine.

Vinícius Júnior (Brazil): A dynamic, full-fledged global superstar bringing pace, skill, and flair to Brazil’s attack.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt): Africa and the Middle East’s biggest icon. Egypt’s qualification ensures massive attention on Salah as he seeks a deep tournament run.

Rising Stars and Breakout Candidates

Lamine Yamal (Spain): The teenage sensation already regarded as one of football’s brightest young talents and a potential breakout star of the tournament.

Jamal Musiala (Germany): Germany’s most exciting young player and a highly marketable star. A deep German run could send his profile into the stratosphere.

Bukayo Saka (England): A key figure for England, known for delivering under pressure.

Key Midfield Anchors and Leaders

Jude Bellingham (England): Dynamic box-to-box midfielder and one of England’s main hopes.

Declan Rice (England): The quiet backbone and leader of this England generation. His control, leadership, and consistency make him essential to England’s title ambitions.

Harry Kane (England): Proven goalscorer and captain.

Federico Valverde (Uruguay): The heart of Uruguay’s intense, aggressive style.

Julián Álvarez (Argentina): Stepping into a bigger role as Argentina transitions beyond the Messi era.

Rodri (Spain) and Ousmane Dembélé (France): Elite performers who anchor their teams.

Other notable stars include Son Heung-min (South Korea’s Asian icon), as well as talents from qualified sides such as Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, Argentina, and more. This edition marks a passing of the torch, the final dance for icons like Messi and Ronaldo, while the next generation (Mbappé, Haaland, Yamal, Musiala, etc.) aims to claim the spotlight.

The tournament begins on June 11, 2026.

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Sports

Somalian referee who was elected best in Africa denied entry to US for World Cup Duties

Published

10 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

World Cup referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States, just three days before the tournament is set to begin. The Somali official was poised to become the first-ever referee from his country to take charge of a match at a Fifa World Cup.

Artan, 34, was named the best African referee for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football and has previously officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations. He reportedly encountered difficulties securing a visa but benefited from support from the Somali embassy in Nairobi, which enabled him to obtain a diplomatic passport.

He travelled from Kenya through Turkey to Miami, after FIFA confirmed last week that his visa situation had been “fully resolved” and that he would be available to officiate at the tournament. Denied entry to the US, he has now returned to Istanbul.

The Somali is one of eight referees from CAF selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup. There are also eight from the AFC, nine from Concacaf, one from the OFC, 12 from Conmebol, and 15 from Uefa. Those from Uefa countries include Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, as well as England’s Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver. In total, 170 referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees will take charge of the record 104 matches across the three host nations.

It currently remains unclear what will happen if Artan is not permitted entry in time for the tournament. The Somali FA and FIFA have been contacted for comment.

The US travel ban has already caused issues for some players expected to feature in the World Cup. Despite not qualifying for the tournament, Somalia features on the travel ban list. Switzerland striker Breel Embolo was initially barred from flying to the country due to travel issues related to a 2018 court ruling; he was convicted in 2023 of making multiple threats and handed a suspended fine. Those issues have since been resolved, and he has arrived in San Diego.

Iran have been forced to change their plans for the tournament and will now be based in Mexico. The squad will only be allowed into the US on matchdays and must leave on the same day.

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Sports

Galatasaray ask Osimhen to lure Lookman

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Galatasaray have enlisted the help of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in their pursuit of fellow Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, asking the striker to use his influence to convince his international teammate to make the move to Istanbul this summer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Turkish football outlet Fotomac, the Turkish champions are understood to be seriously interested in signing Lookman from Atlético Madrid, where the 28-year-old has been one of the club’s most impressive performers since joining from Atalanta in a deal worth €35m in the January transfer window. Lookman contributed five goals and four assists in 24 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, helping them reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Copa del Rey with crucial goals against Barcelona in both competitions.

Galatasaray’s decision to approach Osimhen as an informal mediator reflects the scale of the challenge they face in pulling off the transfer.

Atlético Madrid, who have already lost Antoine Griezmann and are navigating exit talks involving Julian Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth, would be deeply reluctant to sanction another high-profile departure.

Lookman’s versatility and productivity make him precisely the type of player Simeone is unlikely to release without significant resistance.

The financial obstacle is equally daunting.

Lookman’s salary in Spain is understood to be considerably higher than what Galatasaray currently pay most of their players outside of Osimhen’s exceptional €21m-per-year arrangement, and closing that gap would require a creative financial structure.

Osimhen’s relationship with Galatasaray is no secret. The 27-year-old has spoken warmly of the club and its supporters since arriving on loan in 2024/25 before his €75m permanent move was completed last summer.

Lookman has previously been linked with Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray at various points in his career. Whether Galatasaray can structure an offer compelling enough to turn Atlético Madrid’s head, with or without Osimhen’s persuasion, remains the central question of what appears a complex and difficult deal.

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Sports

Leao set to miss Eagles friendly after red card

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Portugal winger Rafael Leão is expected to miss his country’s final World Cup build-up game against Nigeria on Wednesday after being sent off in Saturday’s friendly against Chile, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Leão was dismissed shortly before half-time for punching Chile defender Ivan Román in the face.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Portugal secured a 2-1 victory courtesy of second-half goals from Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes before Román halved the deficit in stoppage time.

The AC Milan forward was handed a starting berth after missing several of the club’s recent matches through suspension and selection decisions by coach Max Allegri.

As a result of his latest dismissal, Leão is expected to miss Wednesday’s friendly against Nigeria if handed the standard one-match suspension.

His suspension could however extend into their group games at the World Cup, potentially missing the games against DR Congo and Uzbekistan.

The clash against Nigeria at the at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria will be Portugal’s third tune up game before departing for the World Cup having won 2-0 against co-hosts USA and Chile as well.

For Nigeria, it will mark the end of a rebuilding window under coach Eric Chelle.

Last Wednesday, the Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Poland in Warsaw.

Before then, they had beaten Zimbabwe and Jamaica enroute to retaining the Unity Cup title in London.

The last time both countries met before the 2022 World Cup, Portugal beat Nigeria 4-0.

Like it was four years ago, the Super Eagles have missed out on another edition of the tournament, marking their first time they will be missing consecutive tournaments since their first appearance in 1994.

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