Spain are world champions after beating Argentina 1-0 in last Sunday’s big finale.
Ferran Torres’ strike sealed the win in extra-time, with the South Americans reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez’s needless red card.
The maiden 48-team World Cup was a tournament to behold and as per usual, several players really announced themselves on the biggest stage in sport.
Below, NetBet Sport takes a look at five of the breakout stars from World Cup 2026, players who will no doubt be making the headlines for all the right reasons in the 2026-27 European football season.
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Saibari is now a Bayern Munich player after joining the German champions from PSV Eindhoven during the World Cup. And after watching the versatile striker’s displays in North America, it is easy to see why Vincent Kompany was so eager to bring him to Bavaria. Saibari scored in all three of Morocco’s group games vs Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, before injury ended his tournament prematurely. The Atlas Lions really struggled without Saibari in their 2-0 quarter-final loss to France, further highlighting the talent possessed by Bayern’s new attacking weapon. Watch out for Saibari in the 2026/27 Bundesliga and Champions League!
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
Manzambi, now officially an Aston Villa player, tallied only four appearances at World Cup 2026 – but what an impression he made! The attacking midfielder came off the bench and changed the game vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, scoring two goals and registering an assist in a 4-1 victory. Manzambi then scored and assisted in the 2-1 triumph over Canada, before recording another assist in the 2-0 win vs Algeria in the Round of 32. Like Saibari, injury sadly brought a halt to his tournament. But the 20-year-old has certainly cemented a status as one of the game’s rising stars, a combination of speed, flair and intelligence that should suit Premier League football perfectly.
Manu Kone (France)
Much of the praise sent in France’s direction was focused on their star-studded attack, but Kone really enhanced his reputation at World Cup 2026. The decision not to start him in the semi-final vs Spain after a string of top-class displays proved to be the wrong one by Didier Deschamps, and you feel the new France manager (possibly Zinedine Zidane) will place a lot of trust in Kone moving forward. Athletic, tenacious in the tackle, calm on the ball and blessed with gifted passing ability, AS Roma may struggle to keep the 25-year-old on their books for much longer!
Julian Quinones (Mexico)
At the age of 29, Quinones is the oldest player on our five-man list. Prior to the tournament, not many people in the UK were aware of Mexico’s flying winger and his unquestionable quality, despite a fabulous 2025-26 season in the Saudi Pro League. He scored 33 goals in just 31 top-flight appearances for Al-Qadsiah, and carried that form into the World Cup. The lightning-quick and fearless Quinones netted four goals and tallied an assist for the co-hosts, striking against both Ecuador and England in the knockout rounds. He only turned 29 back in March, so do not be surprised if a top European club takes a punt on him this summer.
Ayoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
It is a surprise to absolutely no one that Manchester City are heavily linked with a move for Morocco’s young star Bouaddi. The teenage midfielder was viewed as a future world beater before the tournament following an exceptional string of performances with Lille in Ligue 1. And he certainly lived up to the billing at World Cup 2026, marshalling the Atlas Lions from the middle of the park in an exceptional manner and displaying a level of maturity far beyond his years. Still only 18, it is almost scary to think how good Bouaddi could be.
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