22 resultsfor “top talents in 2026 FIFA World Cup”
talent, will be the longest and biggest edition in the tournament’s 96-year history. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Al Jazeera takes a look at the top five key talking points: ## World Cup
FIFA World Cup 2026 official match schedule announcement in Washington, DC, on December 6, 2025. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP)](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AFP__20251206__87BN8EH__v1__HighRes__FblWc2026Schedule-1773904836.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80) Thomas Christiansen is in his sixth year as head coach of Panama
2026) **Best finish:** Third place **Overall World Cup record:** P10 W5 D1 L4 F20 A17 **FIFA ranking:** 22 **Prediction:** Eliminated at round of 32 stage At the domestic level, Turkiye produce consistent challenges for European
2026) - Best finish: Round of 16 (1994) - Overall record: W4 D2 L13 - FIFA world ranking: 61 **Overview** Saudi Arabia arrive in their seventh World Cup believing they can again surprise the football world. The Saudis
FIFA How teams are group World Cup 2026-1776670778](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/INTERACTIVE-Football-FIFA-How-teams-are-group-World-Cup-2026-1776670778.png?quality=80) The only recent disappointments come in the World Cup, yet there are mitigating circumstances. In 2018, the West Africans were the first side
2026 team preview: Players to watch, group, squad **Previous World Cup appearances:** 7 **Best performance:** Last 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022) **First appearance:** 1998 (France) **Top goal scorer:** Keisuke Honda (4) **Most appearances:** Yuto Nagatomo
Top goal scorer:** Just Fontaine (13) **Most appearances:** Hugo Lloris (20) **Player to watch:** Kylian Mbappe **FIFA world ranking:** 1 *The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. You can follow the action
2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches and squad **Previous World Cup appearances:** 8 **Best performance:** Third place (1966) **First appearance:** 1966 (England) **Top goal scorer:** Eusebio (9) **Most appearances:** Cristiano Ronaldo (22) **Player
topped their group in 2026 World Cup qualifying – this time finishing ahead of the once-mighty Cameroon. “We have taken part in four African Cup of Nations tournaments, and we were also very close
Top goal scorer:** Kjetil Rekdal (2) **Most appearances:** Henning Berg, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Kjetil Rekdal (7) **Player to watch:** Erling Haaland **FIFA world ranking:** 31 Norway have not played at a World Cup since
FIFA World Cup 2026 draw in Washington in December [Dan Mullan/Pool via AP] ## Curacao’s head coach carousel Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat led Curacao to their first-ever World Cup, calling it the “craziest
2026 World Cup](/fifa-world-cup-2026/) will see both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi line up for their sixth appearances at FIFA’s showpiece global event. Both made their debuts, for Portugal and Argentina respectively, at Germany
talented Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, who jumped straight into the two legends shoes as one of the best and most recognisable stars in Europe once they departed the continent to begin new football chapters
talented students were usually selected and trained from elementary or middle school." The reclusive dictatorship's footballing success often stands out given its economy has been hit hard by Western sanctions over its nuclear programme
Top goal scorer:** Youssef En-Nesyri (3) **Most appearances:** Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech (10) **Player to watch:** Brahim Diaz **FIFA world ranking:** 8 *The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. You can follow
talent in Iraq but due to mainly off-pitch factors, it has taken four decades to return. "Just like the country, the national team went through many difficult circumstances, including wars, political and economic challenges
Top goal scorer:** Gary Lineker (10) **Most appearances:** Peter Shilton (18) **Player to watch:** Harry Kane **FIFA world ranking:** 4 **Fixtures:** Croatia (June 17, Dallas), Ghana (June 23, Boston), Panama (June 27, New York
top stars who will not be at the World Cup: ## Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)  but will face stiff competition from a small group of leading rivals when the tournament kicks off next month. Nadal, a commanding defender who played in the “Dream Team” for Barcelona
FIFA World Cup 2026. The 34-year-old has not represented his country since October 2023 and is in a race against time to prove his fitness before the tournament squad submission deadline. Neymar