First Things First - Top 26 Players who will define the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi vs. Ronaldo, Team USA represented?

Episode Date: March 27, 2026

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Live from New York, it's the show that's counting down the 26 players who will define World Cup 2026. It's the single best event in sports. It's all in Fox and FS1. I've got a winner that I'm going to give out during this show. Wow. I can't wait. Let's go. Okay, here comes the countdown. We're going to start with Weston McKinney of the United States of America. Listen, he's 27 years old. He plays for Juventus. He can play literally any position. and butkeeper. He's in the midst of his best club league season, including scoring four goals in the Champions League. If the United States is finally going to make it pass their glass ceiling of the round of 16, return to the quarterfinals, he might be the single most

influential player. And as you're seeing in these highlights, you're going to see him all over the pitch playing again, or, you know, any of 10 different spots on the field. He might be the X factor for the United States. Love it. Moving on to number 25. Saka, only 24 years old already in his second World Cup. Brew, three goals for England in 2022. Arsenal Wing, one of the best pastors in the world, plays with a joy, fun to watch.

First of three Englishmen on the list. Don't forget, I have England to win it? No. To go further than usual. Well, yeah, well, it's the World Cup. It's England, so that's, I mean, hedging your bet a bit. No, they've, they get knocked out. Could they win it for the first time in 60, since 66?

Could they? Maybe. Yeah, I think, I think maybe is probably. Maybe. I think maybe is probably. I'm gonna lean towards slim, but hey. It's still my adopt, one of my adopted squad. That's good.

Number 24, Brew, Mo Salah. Yeah, I mean, can he return the form that he showed a year or so ago in leading Egypt to the knockout rounds? And he's one of the. of the greatest African players of all time. All right, two-time African footballer of the year. Last year, he was phenomenal for Liverpool, leading him to the Premier League championship.

But he's kind of gone into a slump since then. But here come the African Cup of Nations. He turns it around, plays tremendously. So he seems to be rounding back in the form, Nick, at just the right time. One of the most popular players in the world. I think one of the most famous players in the world and one of the most successful footballers

from the continent of Africa ever. And as you said, made a name for himself at the 22 World Cup for the more casual fans. Egypt opens up against Belgium in Seattle for their first game. Number 23, Rafenia, Nick. 29-year-old Brazilian midfielder, the very rare late bloomer for Brazil.

He gets overshadowed, overshadowed, pardon me, with his club team because of Yomal. He gets overshadowed for Brazil sometimes because of Vinny Jr. But he's fresh off a top five balloon door finish. If people don't know the balloon door, it's basically the worldwide MVP of soccer. And first prediction, he is my pick for the golden ball, which is player of the tournament. Not golden boot, which is high as goal scorer. Golden Ball player of the tournament, as I believe Brazil will return to its birthright

winning the World Cup for the first time since 2002. What a take. That's a prediction, all right? You're sprinkling in takes right away. Number 22 headed back to the United States. Flo Balligan. Born in Brooklyn, first thing's first. Mainstay, you remember, when he went on that scoring tear in the Champions League,

five goals in 10 games. Copa, he had two goals in three. three games. Look, we're going to have a lot of eyes on Polisic as our goal scorer. Balligan can put the ball in the back of the net as well. I'm expecting a quality tournament from Flo Balligan. He's going to have to. We're going to, it can't just be Polisic scoring. And so he's going to, if the U.S. is going, even with the relatively fortuitous group stage draw,

if they're going to have success, he's going to have to be. I wonder how much, I think we're going to be a defensive-minded squad, though, Richard is coming up later. Our goal tending is always good. Still needs score goals. Yeah. I don't know if we're lighting up the scoreboard, but we'll find out. Number 21, Bruno Fernandez from Portugal, Brew.

All right, this guy lives under the microscope. He's the captain of Manchester United, and he's one of the great leaders in the sport. He's really passionate, and it comes out, and everybody will love him because of that. But can he get Portugal a World Cup win? That's what this is all about. He's creative. His passing range is limitless. He covers all types of ground on the field.

It's almost like having two guys in one body. So he's fun to watch. And like we said, can he lead Portugal to a win? And lead is the right work. He's their best player. Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously the most famous. He's their best player. Number 20, Morocco, Hikini.

27-year-old defender for PSG, fresh off, carrying Morocco to the semis of the 2020. World Cup. He is the reigning African player of the year. His defense was the story of their run in 2022. In the five games before the semifinal loss, they allowed one total goal. However, you're seeing in these highlights, despite being a defender, he is a legitimate goal scoring threat. Now, tough draw. They are in the same group as my pick to win at all, Brazil, but Akimi, one of these stories of the last World Cup trying to once again put Morocco on his back. Number 19, Pedri, 23, another Barcelona player on the list.

Is he the best player in the world? Some people say yes, reminds me a little bit of Kyrie, the way he controls the ball, handle, touch, classic Spanish possession football. Spain, of course, always a powerhouse, hasn't made it past the round of 16 in the last three World Cups. Also has Valverde and Uruguay in their. group, so a bit of El Classico mixed in Real in Barcelona. Number 19, Pedri. Moving on, number 18, Duet from France.

I love this guy. All right, he's making his World Cup debut. He is one of the most exciting and entertaining players in the world, and might have Nick the fastest feet in the world when he has the ball with him. So he tries these audacious moves and plays during the game. You're almost shocked that he tries them, but then he actually completes a lot of them. And look, he's got Dimbayle, he's got Mbapé, Olise, him combining with them, that is one of the most technically gifted groups that we're going to see of attacking players in this field.

So I can't wait to see what this guy does in his first time on the big stage. Number 17, La Toro Martinez, Nick. 28-year-old forward for Inter Milan. He watched him in person in Milan, scoring assist on a goal in their first game as the defending Syria A champions, opening up their title defense the next year. He's an electric player for what flatly is a historically great Argentina squad. They won the Copa in 21 and 24. In the middle of that, they won the World Cup.

In that 2024 Copa run, he scored five goals as Argentina went on a historic run of international dominance. Again, if they are to become just the third nation ever, along with Italy in the 30s and Brazil with Pele, to go back to back in this great tournament, Latoro Martinez is going to have to be a huge part of it. Countdown continues with a friend of the show after the break. Welcome back to first things first countdown of the players who will define World Cup 2026. We're almost halfway through our countdown. We're back with number 16, friend of the show, Chris Richard, centerback, anchor of our defense. We had him on the show.

He talks a little bit of trash, had some choice words for Paraguay when we got into it in a friendly, ready for the group stage. I grew up in Alabama, ended our interview with Roll Tide. Mary played a little bit of football as well, 2025 player of the year. I think his star is going to shine brightly. Well, especially because you think the U.S. path is, lot of one-nothing or two-one victories going to need Chris and whomever the goalkeeper ends up being for the entirety of the tournament to be great.

Headed to number 15, Manet from Senegal, bro. Yeah, remember 24 years ago, Senegal made a historic run to the quarterfinal round, and a lot of people feel like they have the talent to do it again this year, and he's going to have to be huge. Now, he's 34 years old. He's kind of past his prime, but he's one of the best African players of all. all time. And just in 2025, he was the

Africa Cup of Nations best player in the tournament. So he still has a lot left. And, you know, we'll see if he can kind of turn back the clock and lead Senegal on another great run. Two tough matchups to start France, then Norway. Yeah.

They got a tough draw. It's a rough one. Next up, number 14, Jude Bellingham, Nick. 22-year-old for Real Madrid, for his club team. Last World Cup as a teenager, started every World Cup match for England, but now he's a team leader. Some believe the best player on the team. He scored one of the best goals of the decade, a bicycle kick in stoppage time in the 2024 Euros against Slovakia. But England, the

euros, the last two, runner-ups heartbroken. The story of their World Cup has always been heartbreak. If they are going to finally break through this young man who finished third two years ago in the Ballandoor, he's going to have to be brilliant. You believe in England. I like Jude Bellingham.

I think he's unbelievable for Real Madrid. I don't necessarily see this team being able to change England's World Cup's history of the last 60 years. You know what Brew and I believe in? What? Due dates. Oh, yeah, you guys do believe in due days. That is true. England is due.

Yeah, that is true. They are due. Number 13, Jamal Musiala. Torn loyalties here for me because Germany is in group E with Curacao, my squad. Oh, yeah. Had some setbacks with his ankle, seems to be okay, playing for Byron. Electric player, great ball control. Germany looking for their fifth World Cup.

They open up with Curacao in Houston, June 14th. I like Curacao, but Germany is also one of my squads. Well, I would say Germany is a touch stronger of a team. of a team than Curacao. Slightly. I would say I'm rooting for the underdog. Yeah, I, rooting for the underdog is one thing. Germany versus Curacao is something entirely different.

One one. Okay. I'm glad Curisal's in the field. Number 12, one of my favorite players in the whole tournament's son. No, you hit it on the head whilst. I mean, he's one of the most beloved players in the world because he grew the game in Asia in a way that, you know, goals and assistant all that just can't measure. He's one of the greatest Asian players ever, if not the greatest,

10-time Best Footballer in Asia Award winner. All right, 10 times. All right, so that's pretty good. Now, he's lost some of his top-end speed, but still can be dynamic on the counterattack, which has always been one of his signature trait. So look, he also played four and a half years for Maritiel Pocitino, the U.S.A. coach.

They won a championship back in 2019 together. So that's a little storyline for you to look at as well. There's an underdog KW that might actually make some noise. Yeah? It's South Korea. Yeah, like Korea Republic. Pardon me. They got a shot.

They open up against Mexico in Guadalajara. Number 11, Virgil Van Dyke. Quite simply, I think, certainly arguably, maybe inarguably, the greatest centerback in the world of this century. He's 34 years old. He plays for Liverpool. Also, the last World Cup for his country of the Netherlands ended an utter heartbreak.

They played Argentina, obviously the eventual champs. They're down too late. They get it even. They get to penalties. They lose in penalties, including a missed penalty by Virgil Van Dyke. His country, Netherlands, is one of six countries to ever play in three or more World Cup finals. They are the only one of those six.

of those six to never win a World Cup. If they're finally going to do it, he'll be the player of the tournament. Our countdown continues. No Policicic yet. Will he be ahead of Messi? It's his home country. Pride of Hershey, Pennsylvania. We'll find out next.

Welcome back to first things first. We are counting down the 26 players who will define World Cup 2026. Our countdown is now in the top 10 with number 10. Nick, you love all Lucas. Luca Madrich. Yes, especially Lucas with this type of name, but also, you know what I also like? Ageless athletes. Yes, that's true.

I like oldest players in the league. He's the oldest player on our list by a mile. He's 40 years old. And because of his playing style, which relies so little on athleticism, it feels like he could play forever. He also has been the reason that Croatia has been one of the biggest stories of each of the last two World Cups. There are only two teams to make back-to-back World Cup semifinals. It needs the last two. France, a perennial favorite and Croatia, led by Luca Madrig.

Obviously, eight years ago, they make it to the finals, they lose to France. Last World Cup, they make it to the semis, they lose to eventual champion, Argentina. He's teammates with Christian Bullisic on the club side. And here's my favorite stat of our entire list. From 2008 to 2021, the 14 Ballandor trophies that were given out. The one didn't go to Messier-Rinolto. 2018, it went to this man, Lucca Magritch. He's an all-time legend, see if he can get Croatia on its third consecutive deep run in this turn.

Will he go nuclear? Oh, great question. Number nine, headed to France, Dembele. Hey, this guy could go nuclear. Now, look, last time we saw him in the World Cup, tough outing for him. He had the penalty against Argentina, the foul,

led to their penalty kick, opened the scoring for them, then got substituted for in the first half. That game went down as one of the best ever. But since then, he has been on a tear. You mentioned Ballandour. He's the reigning champion

or reigning title holder of the Ballandour Award. And look, my pick is France, Nick. You got Brazil, you got England, it sounds like. I've got France. He has to be a key to it. He's an amazing player.

And will he continue his rise? Because he's on a historic run. And if he caps it off with the World Cup win, this surge will go down as one of the best we've seen. What a run with PSG 2. Number eight, Harry Kane, get in. England's all-time leading goal scorer, eight in the World Cup. missed a penalty in 2022. Wasn't great.

England goes home. He's 32. had a renaissance at Byron. This would obviously be the crowning achievement of his career. I loved him at Tottenham. He was playing with Sun. So I'm rooting for a Harry Kane. I also have Spain.

I have a lot of the European powerhouse. Yeah, he has Spain, England, Germany. Yeah. You got three teams. Yeah. It's a real squad. Look, I just think one of the best stories, I know people like to root against England.

It would be great for Harry Kane to win one. Well, yeah. It would be a nice thing. I think people were, you know, nice story. I think that, you know, there's a long history between the U.S. and England. We got a reason to root against them. I mean, we had to break off.

It's 250 years, not so soon. Number seven, Vinny Jr. Listen, he's the face of Brazilian soccer, the 25-year-old forward for Real Madrid. In my lifetime, it has gone from Ronaldo to Ronaldino, to Namar, to this young man as the face of, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful style of soccer for the greatest soccer country in world history, Brazil.

With that said, they've only made it past the quarters once since their last win in 2002. I believe he should have won the Ballandoor in 2024. You see he was the best FIFA men's player award winner, but he was a runner up in the Ballandoor. And they are really going to need his scoring because as loaded as Brazil is, Rodriguez, his, you know, mate, fellow forward, is out with a torn ACL.

So they're going to need, you know, my guy that we discussed earlier, who was my pick to win MVP of the tournament, essentially the golden ball, Rafina to be great. He's going to have to be great if Brazil's finally going to get back where they belong. Brew Brazil and Group C, Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. Number six, the pride of Hershey, Pennsylvania, Christian Polisic. Well, look, he may be the greatest American soccer player of all time. Certainly, I mean, most people aren't thinking we have a chance to win it.

Obviously, if he could lead us to that, he probably definitely goes down with that title, I would say, right. But look, he's already got 30 career goals for USA. That's in the top five for our nation already. He's only 27 years old. And the good thing is he's been productive in big games on the big stage. 2022 World Cup, 24 Copa, America. he's got two goals, three assists. So I think this guy is going to play well.

It's just a matter of how well can he lead us to a surprising, surprisingly high finish. He's got to be a superstar. He's got to be great. He's got to be great. He's got to go on deeper. He needs three goals to pass Eric Wynaldo for fourth most in U.S. history. Number five, Holland from Norway, Nick. I believe the single most intimidating force in professional soccer.

I think he wanted his hair cut at one point. I did. Yeah, that is correct. I also wouldn't mind being 6'5 like him. Listen, Norway might not make it out of the group stage. They're in the same group as France and Senegal. Just making it to the knockout round

is an accomplishment for this country, which only four times, Brew, has even qualified for the World Cup. Only twice made it to the knockout round. What you know is, if Norway's playing, he's scoring. In their eight World Cup qualifiers this year, Brew, he scored 16 goals. He averages more than a goal a game for his international career.

But again, this is not a country with a rich soccer history. If they go on a deep run, he will be in the running for the Golden Boot, which is most goals scored in the tournament. Even if they only make it to the quarterfinals, it might take 10 goals for him. They'll be in Foxborough, June 16th. They also have a matchup against our next guy, June 26th, Mbapapapap in France, Brew. Yeah, I told you guys I picked France to win it all. He is the main reason why. Now, Nick, if they do win this, is he already the best ever?

I mean, that's a question mark for him. I think he's playing that well. He's become a legend. He's only 27. He's already become a legend. And can he become the second player ever to appear in three straight World Cup finals? That would be, and that's what I'm talking about. maybe the best we've ever seen.

And so Kili and Mbapé, man, it gets no better than him. That was your pick last World Cup, I believe. France. Yes. Yeah. And they obviously, they almost defended their title. They lost in an epic final to Argentina. He certainly is one of the best World Cup resumes ever already.

It's funny. Mbapé is like, yeah, he's best player in the world. Then all of a sudden, number three, Laminia Mall. He's 18. He debuted at 15. If anyone's star is going to go to the stratosphere, I think it's Yomal. I think he's an electric player. He's dynamic the way he crosses through. He has one sort of signature move that everyone knows is coming.

Can't stop it. It was runner up to Dembelli for the Ballandor. But to see a teenager assert himself as the best player in the world to just be fascinated if pull it off of Spain. And they're the favorite. I mean, it's why it's no shock. KW's pick is the literal favorite. He's the best. Why don't you just go with them?

And he might be the favorite. I've got a few. We did that job. We did that. Spain is a good pick. Number two, we're going old school. 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal. Yeah.

Here's the question, Nick. Can he go down as the best ever without winning the World Cup? That's what we want to know. All right. And he's the all-time leading goal score in international soccer. Really? Well, I mean, Portugal's not a history. I'm just saying.

I just say, well, we're looking at resumes. Number one is going to be a tough guy to beat, but go ahead, Bruce. Sorry. Yeah, that's the question with him is can he do that?

And so I think he, probably not, but can he lead Portugal on a great run? And get to the final and win it. He locks it up if that happens. Well, yes, in theory, however, the guy who's at number one has already done that, and we thought he might be done in the World Cup eight years ago. Instead, he won it last year, and he's number one on

our list, Cato. Number one, Messi in Argentina, it's his sixth World Cup. Sixth World Cup. That will be the most ever tied with Cristiano Ronaldo. He already has the World Cup record for games and minutes. He's already the only person ever scored goals in the World Cup as a teenager, in his 20s and in his 30s. He already has multiple Golden Ball Awards for most goals in the World Cup, and the last World Cup, he's scored in every single round. Argentina, as I mentioned earlier, is trying to become just the second country ever, joining Italy in the 30s and Brazil with Pele to win consecutive World Cups.

They already have kind of wrestled the number one soccer country in South America away from Brazil. This would cement it. Argentina winning this would put Messi in Gretzky territory as far as goat conversation, uncatchable. I don't know if they can do it, but nobody thought he'd be playing in this World Cup and he's going to. And he'll be in Kansas City. In Kansas City. World Cup on Fox and FS1 starts June 11th, electric all summer. Stay tuned.