With 48 teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stars will be out in full force. Here are the biggest names to watch.

When acclaimed soccer writer Paul Tenorio followed Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team to Dallas for one of the superstar’s first road games in America in 2023, the scene outside the team’s Renaissance Plano hotel was strangely calm.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is proving to be a historic one on multiple fronts, most notably as it may see multiple legends of the sport play their final international tournament.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi scored twice in his return and Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3-1 on Wednesday night to advance to the Leagues Cup Final. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

Regardless of how Argentina performs in the 2026 World Cup, it is going to be hard to miss Lionel Messi during the FIFA tournament. Messi continues to announce new brand deals seemingly each day as the World Cup nears its start on Thursday, June 11.

Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi were the top goalscorers in 2022, but neither came close to the record for most goals at a single FIFA World Cup.

Polymarket is hosting The Worst Cup, a one-off match between football star lookalikes including Messi and Ronaldo impersonators.

There’s more to this longstanding rivalry than goals, assists and trophies.