FIFA World Cup 2026: The Olympic stars to watch in North America, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Pedri

From the Olympic Games to the men’s FIFA World Cup, the best male footballers in the world are on their way to North America.

Among the 1,248 players are Olympians from nations from across the world, featuring representation from the last six Games from Athens 2004 and up to Paris 2024.

Heading to their sixth World Cup finals, Olympic champion Lionel Messi and European champion Cristiano Ronaldo could meet for the first and last time at the tournament.

Messi played at Beijing 2008 two years after his World Cup debut and went on to add an Olympic gold medal to his early career accolades. The Argentina captain returns as a reigning World Cup winner to play in the country of his club, Inter Miami CF.

Meanwhile, Athens Olympian Ronaldo is after one of his last remaining major honours he is yet to win. Portugal’s leader has never made it to a World Cup final, coming closest with a fourth-place finish on his debut in 2006.

Who are the other Olympic stars who will be in action in the USA, Canada and Mexico? Get to know a selection of them here.

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Mohamed Salah (Egypt) - London 2012

As he prepares to leave Liverpool after nine years, Mo Salah can show potential suitors what he can offer at his second World Cup finals. Salah has scored in both of his previous competition appearances and will celebrate his 34th birthday on the day of Egypt’s opener against Belgium.

Neymar (Brazil) - London 2012, Rio 2016

Neymar had to fight his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad after an injury-riddled season, but the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer will be in North America after all.

The 2026 World Cup comes a decade after the 34-year-old scored the winning penalty to seal Brazil’s maiden Olympic football gold medal at Rio 2016. With 12 goal contributions in 13 World Cup appearances, what lies in store for Neymar?

Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) - Tokyo 2020

Messi and Ronaldo are not the only two record breakers in North America: Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo 'Memo' Ochoa has also been named in a record sixth World Cup squad. The Olympic bronze medallist had not played for El Tri since November 2024, but when first-choice keeper Luis Ángel Malagón ruptured his Achilles tendon, Ochoa returned to the mix.

Pedri (Spain) - Tokyo 2020

In his five years as a Spanish international, Pedri has helped guide Spain to the 2024 European Championship title as well as winning Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021).

The man from Tenerife is part of a formidable set of midfield maestros for the reigning European champions, fresh off winning La Liga for the third time with FC Barcelona.

Michael Olise (France) - Paris 2024

Michael Olise is one of five French Olympians who will compete at both Paris 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. The 24-year-old winger had a stunning season with Bayern München, where he recorded 22 goals and 31 assists in all competitions.

Désiré Doué (France) - Paris 2024

Joining Olise in graduating from Thierry Henry’s Olympic silver medal squad is Paris Saint-Germain star Désiré Doué, who recently helped the Parisians to back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles.

Doué, 21, is quickly growing into one of PSG’s emerging stars and has the same esteem in the national team setup. The forward scored his first two senior goals for France in a friendly against Colombia in March.

Julian Álvarez (Argentina) - Paris 2024

Nine of the 26 Argentina players are Olympians, including Atlético de Madrid talisman Julian Álvarez. He is part of a crop that want to make Argentina the first World Cup winners to retain their title since Brazil in 1962.

Rayan Cherki (France) - Paris 2024

Adding to the talented French crop of Olympians is Rayan Cherki, who has spent the season under the mentorship of Olympic gold medallist Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The midfielder recorded the most open play assists (12) in a debut Premier League season for 13 years. Brimming with confidence after claiming the FA Cup and League Cup trophies in England, next up for Cherki is a World Cup debut.

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