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World Cup Rank: The 50 best players in the 2026 tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature the world's best talent. Let's rank the top 50 players who will be there!
ESPN Illustration
World Cup Power Rankings: Who are the front-runners?
Our reporters ranked the top 15 contenders for this summer's top prize as they see it right now.
TOP HEADLINES
SIZING UP AMERICAN SOCCER
American soccer still has a global stigma: Can the USMNT at this World Cup change that?
USMNT players past and present open up about the stigma of being an American in soccer ahead of the World Cup.
Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos via Getty Images
What would make a good World Cup for the USMNT?
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READY FOR THE GAMES TO BEGIN
Ian Darke's World Cup preview: Favorites, surprises to watch, Brazil to win?
On the eve of the first 48-team World Cup, everyone can dream. But who will win the trophy? And who could surprise us all?
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The World Cup is almost here! Time for the soccer to do the talking
All of the pre-tournament noise will be drowned out by events on the pitch when thing kick off on Thursday.
MEN'S WORLD CUP WARM-UPS
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY SCOREBOARD
Forget Mourinho, star signings: Pérez's next big move could change Real Madrid forever
TRANSFER TALK
Transfer rumors, news: Man United, City monitor Chelsea's Cucurella
Manchester United and Manchester City have joined the race to land Chelsea left back Marc Cucurella. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Visionhaus/Getty Images
16 players who could use World Cup to get a big transfer in Europe
The World Cup is the biggest stage in sports, so which players can use it to get their next big transfer?
MEN'S WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN
Džeko, Ronaldo, Modric ... why are there so many over-40 players at the World Cup?
Only one non-goalkeeper over 40 has ever played a World Cup. This summer, four others could do the same.
Stefan Koops/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Team Norway poses in Viking-themed photo shoot ahead of 2026 World Cup
Team Norway's photo shoot included swords, shields and Viking longships.
PREDICTING THE MEN'S WORLD CUP
Predicting how all 48 men's World Cup teams will do: A result picked for every game
Who will win the FIFA World Cup? Instead of predicting a final winner, we've picked every single result to show HOW our predicted winner will do it.
ESPN
Simulating the men's World Cup: Who did EA Sports predict as winners?
EA Sports has correctly predicted the winners for the past four World Cups. But who does it pick for 2026?
SPORTS BETTING
First-time soccer bettor? Everything to know before the men's World Cup kicks off
If you're a seasoned bettor looking to try something else or completely new to soccer, here's a how-to guide.
Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire
Top Headlines
- World Cup ref from Somalia denied entry to U.S.
- U.S. defender Richards full participant on Monday
- Eriksen 'doing well' at home after on-pitch collapse
- Sources: Spurs in talks over $80M Savinho deal
- Argentina to avoid 'risks' with Messi set to play
- Cleared Platini files suit against FIFA's Infantino
- Brazil: MRI shows Neymar making 'good progress'
- Leão defends red-card punch to 'protect teammate'
- 👀All you need to know about 48 World Cup teams
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USMNT at the World Cup
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Red, White & Clueless: The untold story of the 1994 U.S. World Cup team
Trending Now
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Barcelona Keep or Dump: What must LaLiga champions address?
How can Barcelona navigate their financial restrictions to reach even greater heights? Gab Marcotti and Sam Marsden break it down.
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If Premier League transfer trend continues, who could move?
The summer of 2025 saw a huge increase in transfers between Premier League clubs. Here are some players who could move for big money but will stay in England.
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Premier League 2025-26 awards: Best game, worst transfer, best XI, more
The Premier League season is over! What did Bill Connelly love and hate about it? It's time to serve up his alternative prizes for the good and bad across the 2025-26 campaign.
- KontentHaus/Getty Images
Premier League 2026-27 predictions: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, more
With Arsenal crowned Premier League champions in 2025-26, it's time to spin it forward: Will the Gunners add flair again? Can Chelsea contend? Will Arne Slot survive at Liverpool? Our writers make their predictions.
Legends chasing milestones
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Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the quest to score 1,000 goals, ESPN provides goal-by-goal analysis of the Portuguese superstar's quest.
- (Photo by Jaime SALDARRIAGA / AFP via Getty Images)
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami and Argentina.
