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The , which kicks off this Thursday in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature among its major stars: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane, some of the names expected to dominate the first World Cup in history with 48 teams.
Messi arrives at what could be his last World Cup appearance, already having become an absolute legend of the tournament.
The Argentine captain holds the record for the most matches played in World Cups with 26 and was the architect of the albiceleste title in Qatar 2022, where he became the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final of the same edition.
At 38 years old, he arrives at the tournament after overcoming a muscle strain in his left hamstring sustained on May 25 during a match with Inter Miami, although medical reports ruled out any serious injury.
On the other side of the golden generation stands Cristiano Ronaldo, the only player to have scored in five different World Cups, with over 140 international goals and the ambition to conquer the only major trophy that eludes him in his career.
The new generation, however, is already knocking loudly at the door.
Kylian Mbappé arrives as the world champion from 2018, finalist in 2022, and with 12 goals in World Cups, being one of the few footballers to score in multiple World Cup finals.
Alongside him emerges Michael Olise, who has made a significant leap in quality at Bayern Munich and is shaping up to be one of France's most dangerous weapons. For many, this World Cup could represent his definitive debut on the world stage.
Erling Haaland will compete in his first World Cup after leading Norway back to the sport's biggest event for the first time since 1998, with 16 goals during the qualifying rounds and a perfect record of eight victories that included a 3-0 and a 4-1 win against Italy.
If Norway hopes to make a surprise appearance, much of its chances will rely on the boots of its star player.
Harry Kane arrives backed by an extraordinary season with Bayern Munich: 60 goals and seven assists in 50 matches, including 36 in the Bundesliga, 14 in the Champions League, and 10 in the DFB-Pokal.
England's all-time top scorer and winner of the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, Kane aims to lead the Three Lions to a title that the country has been expecting since 1966.
Close the favorites group featuring Lamine Yamal, who at just 18 years old has already amassed 16 goals and 11 assists in LaLiga and six goals in the Champions League during the 2025-2026 season with FC Barcelona.
Chosen as the best young player of the 2024 Euro Cup won by Spain, the Catalan winger faces his first World Cup with the opportunity to prove that he is destined to lead the next generation of international football.
The combination of experience, talent, youth, and ambition promises to make this World Cup one of the most exciting and competitive in recent history, in a tournament that will extend until July 19 and will feature 104 matches across 16 venues in three countries.
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