10 potential breakout stars for the 2026 World Cup

The World Cup always provides a platform for young stars of the game to showcase their talents.

The likes of Thibaut Courtois, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez all earned moves to Real Madrid after shining at World Cups, and with an expanded 48-team tournament, there’ll be more players than ever strutting their stuff on football’s biggest stage.

We take a look at 10 potential breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)

When finding out a player has opted to play for Morocco rather than France, the first thought might be that they weren’t good enough for the latter. On the contrary, France courted Ayyoub Bouaddi to represent Les Bleus, with the youngster opting to play for Morocco.

A strong ball carrier and excellent ball winner with plenty of dynamism, Bouaddi is set for a move away from Lille either this summer or next.

To give an idea of his level, the club president has already claimed €50m won’t be enough to prise the 18-year-old midfielder away.

Gilberto Mora (Mexico)

Still just 17 years old, Gilberto Mora is set for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of playing in a home World Cup, where he’ll be the youngest player at the tournament.

Playing in Liga MX for Tijuana, Mora has been lighting things up in domestic football and started for Mexico when winning the Gold Cup in 2025.

Mora is a superb technician with intelligence beyond his years and already looks set for a move to Europe.

It remains to be seen how much time on the pitch the youngster will get, but Mora will be seen for Mexico for years to come.

Bazoumana Traore (Ivory Coast)

Yan Diomande will have lots of eyes on him as he’s set for a big-money move away from RB Leipzig, but on Ivory Coast’s other flank is Bazoumana Traore, who’ll likely be courting plenty of attention himself after the World Cup.

An explosive left-winger who wants to cut in onto his right, the 20-year-old has lots of end product to go with his pace, scoring five goals and laying on nine assists for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga last season.

Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)

Algeria are still waiting for their next Riyad Mahrez, but Ibrahim Maza looks the most likely of the current crop to inherit the former Manchester City man’s throne.

While the Greens will still look to Mahrez as their talisman, Maza may now represent their primary creative outlet.

After breaking through with Hertha Berlin, Maza was snapped up by Bayer Leverkusen as they moved from their Xabi Alonso era. Despite the off-pitch inconsistency, Maza showcased his talents with 0.34 goal contributions per 90 in the Bundesliga last term.

Capable of playing in a deeper role or out wide, Maza is at his best as a number 10 where he can find pockets of space, using his technical ability to flourish in tight spaces.

Rayan (Brazil)

A club like Bournemouth don’t fork out around £25m for a Brazilian teenager on a whim, and the gamble already appears to be paying off. Rayan was chucked in at the deep end, coming off the bench at Wolves and laying on an assist four days after signing, and went on to score in each of his first two games.

With injuries to the likes of Rodrygo and Estevao, Rayan has been named in the World Cup squad, and while Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha remain ahead of him in the pecking order, the 19-year-old should be called upon to make an impact as a squad player.

Possessing a unique blend of height, pace and power, Rayan is strong enough to hold off defenders and quick enough to get past them. Best used off the right, the teenager could also be deployed up front and could play a big part for the Selecao should they go deep.

Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

While Bosnia and Herzegovina have largely made the World Cup thanks to defensive solidity, there are a number of exciting attacking players capable of threatening teams.

Still led by the veteran Edin Dzeko up top, Bosnia’s supporting cast includes the exciting Kerim Alajbegovic. While lots of players earn big moves following World Cups, Bayer Leverkusen have got ahead of the game, bringing the 18-year-old back to the BayArena after an excellent year at Red Bull Salzburg.

Alajbegovic isn’t a guaranteed starter for Bosnia, but his talents will certainly see him play a part.

Leverkusen don’t make many mistakes in the transfer market, and the winger could more than justify his modest price tag over the summer.

Esmir Bajraktarevic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Another young Bosnian emerging with the national side is Esmir Bajraktarevic. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Bajraktarevic started his professional career with New England Revolution, actually playing for the United States in 2024 before moving to Europe in 2025 with PSV Eindhoven.

A talented right-winger, Bajraktarevic is most comfortable off the right where he can cut inside onto his favoured left foot. A creative threat, his first thought is always forward and he’ll be a key part of Bosnia’s efforts out of possession.

Bajraktarevic was also tasked with taking the decisive penalty as Bosnia beat Italy to secure their passage to North America.

Victor Munoz (Spain)

One of the few players to have worn the shirts of both Barcelona and Real Madrid, Victor Munoz spent three years at Barca’s famed La Masia academy, later joining Real’s youth setup.

Munoz was signed by Osasuna last summer, shining in a side that narrowly avoided La Liga relegation and has turned heads across Europe.

While Munoz won’t start for La Roja, his electrifying pace and ability to play on both wings could make him a dangerous option off the bench.

Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)

There’s an interesting degree of expectation on Switzerland heading into this expanded World Cup.

Remarkably consistent in the tournament, Switzerland’s last three World Cup efforts have seen them knocked out in the round of 16. But in the expanded Euros, they’ve reached the quarter-finals, losing on penalties to Spain and England in their last two outings.

Placed in a very winnable group, Switzerland have a chance to lay down an early marker, which Johan Manzambi will be keen to be a part of. Recording nine contributions in 27 Bundesliga games for Freiburg, Manzambi is physically imposing, technically elegant and strong in and out of possession.

A proper box-to-box midfielder, the 20-year-old is one to watch in North America.

Joel Ordonez (Ecuador)

One of the most promising young defenders at the World Cup, Joel Ordonez is already being linked with moves away from Club Brugge.

The Ecuadorian has spent two seasons in the heart of the Brugge defence and has made 33 appearances in Europe since his move in 2023.

Strong on the ground in duels, Ordonez is comfortable carrying the ball out of defence and has the pace to be able to play in a high line.

While Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie will occupy the first two spots in defence, Ordonez may complete a back three or play as a more defensive-minded right-back.