World Cup: Unheralded Players to Watch From Both of the Two Favorites
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than a month away, and soon, a whole host of new stars will make their arrival on football's grandest stage. It seems like every time the tournament rolls around, an unheralded player suddenly emerges as a superstar. Just take a look at Argentina's title-winning squad from four years ago for confirmation of that.
Striker Julian Alvarez was very much a first-reserve option both with his club Manchester City and in Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad, with Inter Milan hitman Lautaro Martínez very much first choice with the Albiceleste. However, after a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the South American giant's opener, Alvarez was thrust into the limelight, and boy, did he deliver. He netted crucial goals against Poland and Australia, before helping himself to a brace in the semifinal against Croatia en route to Argentina and Lionel Messi's finest hour.
Excitement for the World Cup Gathers Steam
With excitement heating up about the lesser-known stars that could burst onto the scene at the World Cup, a number of alternative media outlets are aiming to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. One such industry is the world of online casinos, which are rolling out football-themed slot games left, right, and center in a bid to ramp up excitement even further ahead of the grandest sporting spectacle on earth's curtain-raisers on June 11th.
One of the most popular real online slots available to play today is the aptly titled "World Cup Football," which allows both football fans and slot aficionados alike to lead a team through the tournament, spinning reels and potentially winning some cool payouts in the process. It’s a great way for enthusiasts to stay in touch with footballing energy, both in the run-up to the kickoff and once matches are underway, offering light, easy entertainment.
But while fans are able to keep the excitement flowing playing World Cup Football online, several players from the favorites to actually win the tournament this summer will be eager to leave their mark on football's grandest stage. So, who are some more somewhat unknown players to keep an eye on this summer? Let's take a look.
Spain - Mikel Oyarzabal
Online betting sites make Spain the clear 9/2 favorite to leave North America with the famous gold trophy for the second time on July 19th. La Roja stormed to glory at the European Championships two years ago thanks to a young and technically sensational squad led by teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. But this summer, it could well be Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal who is the one to watch.
The winger-turned-striker came off the bench to score the winner in that Euro 2024 final against England, but he was very much the second-choice striker behind captain Alvaro Morata. Now, however, with Spain producing a lack of goalscoring strikers in comparison to every other position on the pitch, Oyarzabal will almost certainly be leading the La Roja line this summer. And considering his form throughout recent games, there really is no other option for manager Luis de la Fuente.
Oyarzabal top-scored for Spain in qualifying, netting six goals in as many games as La Roja topped their group. Despite that, though, the bookies still considered him a 33/1 long shot to top score at the World Cup. Then, he netted a brace in Spain's recent 3-0 friendly win against Serbia, and odds were slashed down to 16/1. While he may be lesser known than stars such as Yamal, Nico Williams, Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Fabian Ruiz, Oyarzabal is the most likely man to score the goals that propel Spain to the title.
France - Manu Koné
When one thinks of the French midfield, they think of the likes of veteran N'Golo Kante, the long-serving Adrien Rabiot, or the Real Madrid duo of Aurelien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. However, it's Roma midfielder Manu Koné who has looked like Les Bleus' best midfielder over the last year or so.
The 24-year-old has been a relentless presence in the heart of the engine room in the eternal city this season. While his goals and assist numbers are modest, they barely scratch the surface of his influence. His ability to break up play, drive forward with purpose, and dictate tempo has made him one of the standout box-to-box midfielders in Serie A. Didier Deschamps has clearly taken note, and Koné featured prominently in France's World Cup qualifying campaign, starting four of six games ahead of the more illustrious names listed above.
He will likely start the World Cup at the heart of the French midfield, alongside either Tchouaméni or Kante, and it will be his responsibility to drive the team forward and get the ball to the menacing strike force of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue as quickly as possible. Don't be surprised to see him land a big-money move to one of Europe's elite as the World Cup draws to a close.
World Cup 2026