Noureldein GhanemThe 2026 FIFA World Cup saw football's biggest names at their brilliant best, but it also introduced a new generation of stars who left the tournament with their reputations transformed.
Established superstars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland once again demonstrated why they remain among the game's elite, delivering decisive performances as their nations made deep runs into the knockout rounds
Yet, as every World Cup does, the tournament also produced a host of breakout stars who arrived with little global fanfare and departed as household names.
Kylian Mbappe (France): Mbappe proved once again that he is one of the very best in the world at the moment.
The French striker secured the World Cup's Golden Boot award with 10 goals and became the World Cup's all-time top scorer in the process.
Rodri (Spain): The heartbeat of Spain's midfield. Rodri clinched the Best Player of the World Cup award.
No goals scored and no assists provided, yet shielding the defence, initiating attacks and breaking down counterattacks made for a spectacular performance.
Lionel Messi (Argentina): At the age of 39 and playing his last World Cup, Messi was Argentina's main and arguably only successful tool in the tournament.
Scoring eight goals in the tournament, Messi single-handedly took Argentina all the way to the final.
Erling Haaland (Norway): Having played his first-ever World Cup, Haaland's run can't be underestimated.
Haaland scored seven goals and took his team to the quarter-final, the best run they ever had.
Michael Olise (France): France's creative playmaker and winger, Olise gave a fantastic performance in the World Cup.
Providing seven assists in eight matches, Olise broke Brazilian legend Pele's record for most assists in a single World Cup.
Jude Bellingham (England): The face of English football, Bellingham gave a heroic performance across the tournament.
Although a midfielder, Bellingham was England's top scorer in the tournament, while also supporting the defence when needed.
Other players, including the likes of Vinicius Jr, also gave great performances but failed to make long runs in the tournament.
The underdogs
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland): A fearless attacking midfielder who repeatedly drove at defenders, Manzambi was one of the revelations of the tournament.
He helped Switzerland reach the quarterfinals, and his stock rose dramatically among Europe's top clubs.
Mostafa Shobier (Egypt): According to all analysts and pundits, Shobier was one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament.
He was instrumental in Egypt's historic run to the Round of 16, and, according to reports, he received numerous offers from European clubs following his performance.
Vozinha (Cape Verde): A veteran goalkeeper who became a cult hero for a small nation.
Vozinha produced several match-winning performances and helped Cape Verde reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
Ismael Saibari (Morocco): Although known before the tournament, no one was banking on the Moroccan striker to be his country's top performer.
Saibari scored three goals in five games, and then completed his move to Germany's Bayern Munich after his run in the World Cup.
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco): One of the biggest breakouts of the tournament is the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder.
The youngster chose to play for the North African country instead of France, and broke down attacks against powerhouses like Brazil and the Netherlands.
Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast): A towering centre-back who dominated physically.
Diomande was always calm under pressure despite his age. He is one of Africa's standout defenders.
