Three Under-The-Radar Players Who Could Star at the 2026 World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of international football – a stage where dreams are made and history is written. The 2026 edition will be no different.

The tournament demands the very best from players when the stakes are at the highest, and only a handful truly rise to the occasion.

Such performances have a history of earning those players big moves to some of the most successful clubs in the world, such as James Rodriguez to Real Madrid in 2014.

With the 2026 World Cup around the corner, some underrated players will hope to use the tournament as a platform to introduce themselves to the world.

With that in mind, here are three under-the-radar players who could sparkle at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Chris Wood – New Zealand

Chris Wood may not grab headlines like some of football’s global superstars, but the New Zealand striker is quietly building a case to be a standout performer at the 2026 World Cup. 

Since joining Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United in early 2023, Wood has proved his worth in the Premier League.

He has been in red-hot form this season, firing Forest into contention for European qualification. His efforts have put him in contention for the Premier League Golden Boot award.  

Wood is poised to lead the line for New Zealand if they make it to the World Cup, and he will undoubtedly be a popular pick among Kiwi bettors.

His odds of finishing the tournament as New Zealand’s top scorer on World Cup betting apps NZ will appeal to punters, and there is no doubt that the country will pin their hopes on him.

New Zealand will head into the World Cup as massive underdogs with the bookmakers, but a favourable draw could boost their chances of defying the odds.

Wood is undoubtedly an under-the-radar player who is worth keeping an eye on at the World Cup.

Antonee Robinson – United States

Antonee Robinson has been a standout performer for Fulham since they returned to the Premier League for the 2022/23 season.

The 27-year-old has been a mainstay in Marco Silva’s backline, and his impressive performances have caught the attention of several top clubs over the past couple of years.

Robinson was linked with a move to Manchester City, but Fulham managed to tie him to a new long-term contract and it is proving to be a masterstroke.

The United States star was a key player for Fulham last season, playing an important part in their 13th-place finish in the Premier League.

Robinson missed just one league game for the Cottagers and recorded six assists. He helped them keep seven clean sheets.

He has continued his rich vein of form this term, helping Fulham enjoy a productive start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Robinson has already won 50 caps for the US. If he maintains his consistency, he could use the World Cup as a platform to earn a big money move.

Leandro Trossard – Belgium

Arsenal went agonisingly close to the Premier League title for a second season in a row but were beaten to the punch by defending champions Man City.

Leandro Trossard played a key role for them. The Belgium international has been a reliable player for Arsenal since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion.

He contributed 12 goals last season. His tally is even more impressive when you consider he only started 18 league games, chipping in with crucial goals when other players went missing.

Five of Trossard’s 12 goals last season broke the deadlock, and four were winning goals. He also scored more goals from open play than any other Arsenal player in the league (11).

While Trossard has struggled to replicate those efforts for the Gunners this time around, he remains a vital squad player under manager Mikel Arteta.

His form for Arsenal has helped him secure a spot in the Belgian national team, and the former Brighton man has the ability to light up the tournament if given the chance.