Which Players Have the Most to Gain at Next Year's FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup is already the biggest sporting event on the planet, but next summer, it gets even bigger. That's because the 2026 edition of the tournament will be larger than ever, with a record 48 teams competing in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, up from 32 in years gone by.

Lionel Messi's Argentina heads to North America as the reigning champions following their thrilling triumph in Qatar, and online sportsbooks make them contenders for the title once again. The latest odds from the popular Thunderpick Sportsbook price the Albiceleste as a 10/1 shot to successfully defend their crown. Only Brazil, England, France, and Spain have shorter odds.

But which players have the most to gain by leading their team to glory? Let's take a look.

Jude Bellingham

For decades, England fans have known nothing but pain. Their sole international trophy came all the way back in 1966, when Sir Geoff Hurst's famous hat trick against West Germany saw the Three Lions win the World Cup on home turf. Fast forward 60 years, and that remains the only title that the English have ever won.

In recent years, England has come closer than ever before to returning to its former glories. Gareth Southgate led his country to a first World Cup semifinal in 28 years in 2018, before taking them to back-to-back European Championship finals. Unfortunately, all of those ended in defeat, but now a new young hero has emerged who could be the difference between winning and losing.

Jude Bellingham will be just 22 years of age when next summer's tournament kicks off at the start of June, but despite his tender years, the former Birmingham City academy product has already proven he is the man for the big occasion. In his maiden campaign with Real Madrid, he helped Los Blancos to a league and Champions League double. Then at Euro 2024, he scored several crucial goals - including a stunning 95th-minute overhead kick equalizer against Slovakia - to help England reach the final.

Under the tutelage of new manager Thomas Tuchel, Bellingham’s presence at the heart of England’s midfield is pivotal. Not only is he immensely talented, but he is also a born leader and already a senior figure within the national team setup. Next summer, he will have to be at his very best once more, but if he can deliver the World Cup trophy back to Old Blighty, the young midfielder could cement himself as the most beloved English player in history.

Christian Pulisic

The challenge for Christian Pulisic lies in rising above an immense burden. Over the last two years, the USMNT has suffered a string of poor performances, leading to doubts about their chances at next year's tournament. With the Stars and Stripes hosting the vast majority of the 2026 World Cup, the pressure is on to deliver in front of a passionate home crowd.

The current crop of American stars is arguably the greatest ever. The likes of Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Timothy Weah are some of the best to have ever come out of the States, and Pulisic is the pick of the bunch. The AC Milan winger remains his side's captain, talisman, and brightest attacking spark. As such, he has to deliver if the Americans are to mount a deep tournament run.

If Pulisic can lead his country to a best-ever World Cup finish in front of his adoring public, then he would secure his legacy as one of American soccer's all-time greats. Names like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey currently dominate that conversation, but neither came close to leading the team to the latter stages of a World Cup. If Pulisic can shoulder this responsibility and emerge as the talisman who breaks new ground for the USMNT, then there would be no denying his rightful place on the throne.

Cristiano Ronaldo

For Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents perhaps the final showdown of his legendary career. For many, Argentina's triumph in 2022 made their captain, Lionel Messi, the indisputable GOAT.

The former Barcelona star won the Player of the Tournament award in Qatar, netting twice in the final as the Albiceleste lifted the famous gold trophy for the first time since the days of Diego Maradona. For Ronaldo, only a World Cup triumph of his own would be enough to throw his name back into the mix as the outright greatest.

Entering the tournament at 41 years old, the great CR7 defies age and remains one of the most dangerous forwards in the game. However, there can be no denying that despite his goalscoring nous, his once supreme physical attributes have abandoned him. Ronaldo continues to lead the line for Portugal and recently scored in the UEFA Nations League final victory over Spain, but doing the same in the United States next summer could be a step too far.

Ronaldo has the most to gain of anybody in 2026. If he can roll back the years and score some crucial goals and lead the Selecao to the trophy, then he may well see his name reinstated in the GOAT debate. Anything less than a first-ever World Cup triumph for the Portuguese, however, and CR7 may spend his retirement in his greatest rival's shadow.