Players, coaches and fans alike will once again converge at the Mecca of the beautiful game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup which kicked off yesterday with the next generation of stars looking to make their mark while the veterans prepare for one last hurrah.Here is your guide to six players who are expected to set the World Cup tournament alight. Lamine Yamal - SpainIt is hard to believe Yamal is just 18 years old with all the attacker has already achieved in his blooming career.The main man at Barcelona, Yamal broke into the Spanish senior team in 2023 age 16, scoring on his debut, and has not looked back since.He played a key role in Spain’s 2024 UEFA Euro triumph, providing a goal or an assist in every single game of the knockout stages, and is expected to stamp his class on his World Cup debut.While Yamal is recovering from a season-ending injury, Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente is confident he will be available for their opening game against Cape Verde. Lionel Messi - ArgentinaWhen Messi lifted the World Cup trophy in 2022, many believed that would be the last time the world would see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at the World Cup.But, four years later, Messi has once again answered the call for Argentina and will lead the lines for La Albiceleste in his sixth World Cup.At age 38, Messi has won it all and stands as arguably the greatest player to have ever played the sport.But the diminutive Argentine will surely want to entertain fans one last time, and call a close on his international career with a second World Cup triumph.Endrick - BrazilFrom Pele comparisons by the age of 16 to becoming the youngest Brazilian to represent the senior team since Ronaldo in 1994, Endrick’s prodigious talent has set high expectations for the 19-year-old.Falling out of favour at Real Madrid had many doubting his readiness for the senior game but a career revival on loan with Olympique Lyonnais has restored hope in Brazil’s next superstar.With concerns around Neymar’s match fitness, many believe this World Cup will be the perfect platform for Endrick to come into his own and take his first steps as a national icon.Cristiano Ronaldo - PortugalRonaldo has a career which is the envy of nearly every single footballer to have ever played the sport, but the prolific striker is still chasing that one elusive title; the World Cup.He comes into his sixth World Cup campaign with a strong Portuguese squad at his back, and many believe now is the final chance for him to lay claim to the missing trophy.With a record 143 international goals and counting, Ronaldo’s campaign will draw the eyes of the world to see if he can finally find the holy grail.Kendry Páez - EcuadorWhile Ecuador fall outside the circle of World Cup contenders, they will be an exciting team to watch with the presence of teenager Páez among their ranks for his first World Cup.Páez has been making headlines long before his senior debut for Ecuador in 2023, where he assisted the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Uruguay.He holds the distinction as the youngest player to have scored in a South American World Cup Qualifying match, and while still a teenager, he is expected to lead the lines for Ecuador.Kevin De Bruyne - BelgiumThe Belgian midfielder made headlines in 2022 when he said Belgium had missed their chance to win the World Cup in 2018 because their team was simply too old.Four years later, De Bruyne is now entering what I expected to be his final World Cup with the Red Devils at 34 years old.While De Bruyne is still the heartbeat of Belgian’s midfield, there are growing concerns with his injury record over the past few years.Despite this, De Bruyne is expected once again to show his brilliance that played a key role in Belgium’s third-place finish in 2018.