2026 World Cup Will Feature 891 First-Timers: Meet Some of the Talents Set to Turn Heads
With 891 players making their World Cup debuts, the 2026 tournament promises to unveil new names. BBC Sport highlights 20 to watch.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will bring together a record 1,248 players. Of that total, 891 will be competing in the tournament for the very first time, opening the door for new names to capture the world's attention.
To help audiences know who to watch, BBC Sport TV and radio commentators selected 20 names from outside the Premier League and Scottish Premiership who have the potential to shine. Among those mentioned is 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Diomande, who plays for RB Leipzig. The player joined the German club in July 2025 for €20 million from Leganés, and racked up 21 goal involvements — 12 goals and nine assists — in 33 Bundesliga appearances, helping the side qualify for the Champions League. He was also named the season's rookie of the year in the German competition.
Diomande spent three years in Florida after moving to the United States at the age of 15. Having missed March friendlies through a shoulder injury, he started in Ivory Coast's victory over France in their World Cup warm-up.