Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo and 10 players who need a big 2026 World Cup

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo may be two of the biggest superstars in the game, but they are among a group of players who need to find their best level at the 2026 World Cup for various reasons.

Whether it’s repairing a reputation left damaged by recent behaviour or form, or simply because they are in the squad as a controversial pick, some of football’s most household names travel to North America under pressure.

With the pressure at maximum, the World Cup is a stage that can quickly reforge lost reputation. Here are 10 players who need to do just that.

Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe has nothing to prove on the World Cup stage having already secured the 2018 title and scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final as France fell just short against Argentina on penalties. But the Real Madrid striker does come into this tournament with his reputation damaged after a trophyless season at the Bernabeu where his relationship with team-mates has been questioned.

With doubts building over his attitude and ability to be a team player, Mbappe’s reputation is on the line in North America.

Cristiano Ronaldo

What does Cristiano Ronaldo have to prove at 41 years old, given that he already has five Ballons d’Or and is closing in on 1000 career goals. Quite a lot, it turns out.

Ronaldo went viral the weekend before the competition for his poor display against Chile in a friendly. In particular, a free header that he aimed hopeless off target has been used as proof that the Al-Nassr striker is simply past it. His ego, and Roberto Martinez’s eagerness to massage it, is the only thing standing between Portugal and a first world crown. This is Ronaldo’s chance to prove those critics wrong.

Noni Madueke

Madueke was in and out of the Arsenal side during his first season at the Emirates Stadium, but despite lifting the Premier League title arrives in North America amid a good deal of scrutiny. The 24-year-old has been included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the expense of the likes of Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White.

While there is logic in Tuchel’s decision to pick a player who is used to being an impact sub, there is a lot riding on Madueke’s performance for the German manager as well as for the Arsenal star himself.

Gio Reyna

Coming off the back of a genuinely dreadful Bundesliga season, Giovanni Reyna was a surprising inclusion in the USMNT roster, with even head coach Mauricio Pochettino admitting that he’s not exactly sure how he will be used.

"I don’t say that he’s going to play the game, but he can help," Pochettino explained. "He can help because he’s a different player, different talent. And I think, in [any] roster, you need to have a player like him."

Reyna’s need to perform well is personal. He has failed to live up to the hype since bursting onto the scene with Borussia Dortmund, and if what comes next is going to be a step forwards, he needs a positive tournament.

Neymar

After a string of difficult campaigns, it seems unfeasible that Neymar is heading to the World Cup with Brazil, yet the 34-year-old finds himself in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. Indeed, the hype around the former Barcelona and PSG man remains. He was the final name mentioned in Brazil’s squad announcement on social media, when it was clearly designed for him to provide a climactic end to a superb clip.

This competition could go either way for Neymar. If he can rekindle something close to his best, he could be remembered for all the right reasons, but if he remains half-fit and half-sharp, his selection will look ridiculous.

Alexander Isak

It’s not been the season that Alexander Isak wanted at Liverpool, with serious injury and poor team form leaving the World Cup as his final shot at redeeming what’s been a completely forgettable campaign.

For Isak, who managed just four goals for the Reds, the competition is a valuable opportunity to regain some momentum and remind people just why Andoni Iraola’s side were prepared to spent a Premier League record fee to sign him from Newcastle a year ago.

Mohamed Salah

Salah’s exit from Liverpool has come a year earlier than expected and in circumstances that the Egypt international will not have liked. His form was not a patch on what it was a year earlier, while the campaign was dogged by a difficult relationship with Arne Slot.

This is Salah’s second World Cup, and the second time that he approaches the tournament in a difficult moment. In 2018, it was because of a shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final, now it’s based on his own form. This will be his final chance to shine on the biggest stage and he will be eager to take it.

Indeed, a strong showing in North America and he may just get a more attractive offer for next season.

Darwin Nunez

How the star of Darwin Nunez has fallen since leaving Liverpool, leaving the Uruguay international striker more in need than most for a massive World Cup. The 26-year-old Al-Hilal striker does come into the competition fresh, but that’s been at the expense of virtually all game time as he was dropped from the Saudi Pro League side’s squad in February.

If Nunez wants to resurrect his career at the top level, he will have to perform on the international stage. He has not scored an international goal, though, since June 2024 – a run of 13 matches.

Jonathan David

David’s reputation has been left bruised after a difficult campaign with Juventus just as he seemed poised to explode onto the world stage. A return of six goals from 35 Serie A matches was well below what was expected of him, and beyond that return, his overall performance was also poor.

With his future in the balance at Juventus, it’s not been something of a nightmare year. However, everything can be redeemed with a strong performance against Bosnia, Qatar and Switzerland – three inviting games.

Kendry Paez

A year ago, young Ecuador striker Kendry Paez seemed to have the world at his feet as he completed a €10m move from Independiente della Valle to Chelsea. Since formally joining the Stamford Bridge side, though, he has wholly failed to live up to his billing as one of the brightest talents in the game.

Paez barely got a look in on loan at Strasbourg and was recalled by Chelsea in January to be sent back to South America with River Plate. He’s recently found himself back on the bench and has just one goal in 14 appearances.

The World Cup could really kickstart his career.

Written by

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Robin Bairner is an eminent digital football journalist who has been writing about the sport for major global publishers since 2006, specialising in Ligue 1 and Scottish football. He has been chief editor of the FootballTransfers global edition since its launch in 2020. Previously Bairner had been a key member of the editorial team which helped Goal.com become the world’s biggest football website. He covered multiple major competitions as a correspondent for Goal including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he had the opportunity to work in Fortaleza. Among his highlights of the competition was Brazil’s quarter-final victory over Colombia.

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