10 Stars Making Their World Cup Debut in USA, Mexico, and Canada

 

The 2026 World Cup is here. For the first time, 48 nations are competing across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. That is 16 more teams than the format used since 1998. This change means several countries have qualified after decades away. It also means many star players will step onto World Cup soil for the first time.

 

At GoalBible, we suggest keeping a close eye on these debutants. Some were injured in 2022. Others were not yet on the international stage. Below are 10 names you need to know, plus a few honourable mentions.

 

Erling Haaland

 

Nation: Norway

Caps / Goals: 50 / 55

 

Think about the greats who never got a World Cup moment. Ryan Giggs. George Best. Both were incredible players, but they played for smaller nations. That kept them off football's biggest stage. For a while, it looked like Erling Haaland might end up in that same sad group. That would have been hard to accept.

 

But Norway surprised everyone. They did not even need the expanded 48-team format to qualify. They won Group I with a perfect record. Let me repeat that: perfect. They beat Italy 3-0 and then 4-1. Haaland was the engine behind that Scandinavian success. He scored 16 goals in qualifying. That is at least twice as many as any other player in UEFA qualifying. Just let that sink in. Now the Manchester City striker has 55 goals from only 50 caps. Norway is back at its first World Cup since 1998. Haaland will try to take them as far as possible. If you want a futures play, Haaland to finish as top scorer at 17.00 on BC.Game looks like a real consideration.

 

Lamine Yamal

 

Nation: Spain

Caps / Goals: 25 / 6

 

Yamal was only 15 during the last World Cup in Qatar. He is 18 now. That rise has been so fast that he carries most of Spain’s hopes for a second World Cup title. He was one of Spain’s best players at Euro 2024. He has already proved he can perform on the biggest stage. He could be one of the defining players this summer. Again, he is just 18.

 

Desire Doue

 

Nation: France

Caps / Goals: 7 / 2

 

Doue went from a prospect at Rennes to a key player at Paris Saint-Germain very quickly. He has won two Champions League titles in that time. His international career has not caught up yet. He enters this tournament with only seven caps. Doue scored his first two France goals in a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia in March. He arrives in North America with something to prove.

 

Florian Wirtz

 

Nation: Germany

Caps / Goals: 41 / 11

 

Florian Wirtz should have been at the 2022 World Cup. Then he tore his ACL. That cruel injury stole his spot. I remember thinking at the time, "This kid does not deserve that luck." But watch how he came back. He did not just return. He exploded back. He won a domestic double with Bayer Leverkusen. Undefeated. In the league. That is insane. Then he scored twice at Euro 2024. After that, Liverpool came calling. Big move. Well deserved.

 

Look, his first Premier League season was rough. I am not going to pretend otherwise. He had quiet games. He looked off the pace sometimes. But here is the thing. Germany still needs him this summer. And I truly believe he has the talent to carry that weight. He just needs one good game to get going.

 

Gabriel Magalhaes

 

Nation: Brazil

Caps / Goals: 17 / 1

 

Gabriel just finished his sixth year at Arsenal. And honestly, it was his best one by a long shot. His set-piece work was a big reason the Gunners won the Premier League title. Every corner felt like a penalty for the other team.

 

But here is something that might surprise you. He has only been seen as an elite centre-back for the last couple of years. That is why he has just 17 caps for Brazil. Think about that. A defender of his quality, and he only made his senior debut in 2023. That was months after the last World Cup ended. So yes, this summer will be his first real taste of the tournament.

 

Marc Guehi

 

Nation: England

Caps / Goals: 27 / 1

 

Guehi earned a couple of caps just before the 2022 World Cup. He did not make Gareth Southgate’s final squad. Since then, he has become essential. He is now a domestic cup double winner with Man City. He was England’s most consistent player during their run to the Euro 2024 final. He will be asked to lead the defence again.

 

Joao Neves

 

Nation: Portugal

Caps / Goals: 21 / 3

 

Joao Neves reminds me a lot of Desire Doue. Both young. Both at PSG. Both are getting better all the time. Neves has become a key part of that PSG side. And not just any PSG side. One that won back-to-back Champions League titles. That is no small thing for a 21-year-old.

 

Now he has locked down his spot for Portugal too. He controls the midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes and his PSG teammate Vitinha. Those three together are a problem for any opponent. I call them a fearsome trio for the Selecao. Neves is one-third of that.

 

Alexander Isak

 

Nation: Sweden

Caps / Goals: 58 / 17

 

Sweden missed out on Qatar 2022 but has earned another chance on football's biggest stage. They finished last in their qualifying group with only two points from six games. They got in through the Nations League playoffs. That gives Isak a chance to prove himself on the international stage. His first season at Liverpool was poor. He suffered a fibula fracture and scored only four goals.

 

Michael Olise

 

Nation: France

Caps / Goals: 17 / 7

 

Michael Olise joined Bayern Munich in 2024. And from day one, he has been unstoppable. I mean that. His outstanding form in Bavaria earned him a regular place in the French national team. That is not easy to do given the talent France has.

 

He made his debut right after Euro 2024. So far, he has seven goals in 17 caps. That is a strong return for a wide player. And here is the scary part. He looks set to play alongside Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe, and Ousmane Dembele. That French attack is terrifying. Oh, and I have not even mentioned Rayan Cherki or Bradley Barcola. France has too many options.

 

Luis Diaz

 

Nation: Colombia

Caps / Goals: 73 / 22

 

Colombia was brilliant in 2014. They were strong again in 2018. So when they missed the 2022 World Cup, I felt that was a real loss for the tournament. They should have been there. But now they are back on the biggest stage. Good to see.

 

That means Luis Diaz finally gets his shot. The former Liverpool winger has never played at a World Cup. That changes this summer. And his form right now is scary. In his first season with Bayern Munich, he scored 26 goals and recorded 19 assists in 51 appearances. Let me say that again. 26 goals. 19 assists. He formed a devastating attack with Michael Olise and Harry Kane. Defences are going to have a hard time stopping that trio.

 

Beyond the Top 10: More Debutants to Track in This 2026 World Cup

 

Honourable mentions: Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, Arda Guler, Hakan Calhanoglu, Martin Odegaard, Yoane Wissa, Abdukodir Khusanov, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Ryan Gravenberch, Micky van de Ven, Viktor Gyokeres, David Raya, Fabian Ruiz, Marc Cucurella, Bradley Barcola, Reece James, Pau Cubarsi, Ousmane Diomande, Ricardo Pepi, Kobbie Mainoo, Nico O’Reilly, Nico Paz, Elliot Anderson, Endrick, Kenan Yildiz.

 

Want to put your knowledge to use? At GoalBible, we recommend BC.Game for this summer’s tournament. They offer competitive odds on every World Cup match, including player debut goals and assists. Sign up at BC.Game today and get a first deposit bonus to use on Haaland, Yamal, or any of the debutants above.

 

FAQs

 

1. Is Erling Haaland playing in his first World Cup in 2026?

Yes. Norway qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing top of Group I with a perfect record, including two wins over Italy. 

 

2. Why did Florian Wirtz miss the 2022 World Cup?

Wirtz missed the 2022 World Cup because of an ACL injury. He recovered and later won an unbeaten domestic double with Bayer Leverkusen, scored twice at Euro 2024, and transferred to Liverpool. 

 

3. What is the format change for the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup has expanded from 32 teams to 48 teams. This expansion allowed more nations to qualify, including some that have not competed for decades.

 

4. Is Lamine Yamal playing in the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. Lamine Yamal was only 15 during the last World Cup in Qatar. He is now 18 and is Spain's key player for the 2026 tournament. 

 

5. Where can I find betting odds on World Cup debut players?

GoalBible recommends BC.Game for World Cup betting. They offer competitive odds on every match, including player debut goals and assists. Sign up for a first deposit bonus.