The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in the books, but soccer is far from over. Many of the men’s tournament’s biggest stars return to Europe’s top clubs for the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League season.
From breakout talents to established superstars, these 10 players were among the top performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now, they’re back with their clubs for another UEFA Champions League campaign. Every UEFA Champions League match streams live and on demand on Paramount+, so it’s easy to keep watching all of your favorite World Cup players.
Why these World Cup stars are worth watching
Every four years, the men’s World Cup introduces millions of fans to new stars. Some emerge as breakout players, while others cement their place among the best with unforgettable performances on soccer’s biggest stage.
With the latest edition of the World Cup in the rearview mirror, many of those same stars return to the UEFA Champions League, where they compete against each other week after week. It’s the next stage for the stars who captured the world’s attention—and another chance for fans to watch them shine.
From rising talents to global superstars, here are 10 players who were standout performers in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the tournament’s top scorers, most valuable midfielders, and emerging talents. Read about them below – and find out how to follow them in the UEFA Champions League all season long on Paramount+.
1. Kylian Mbappé
Getty Images
- Position: Forward
- National team: France
- UEFA Champions League club: Real Madrid
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Mbappé led France to a 4th-place finish, and was crowned the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals. His blistering pace, movement off the ball, and elite finishing made him one of the standout players of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Few players can change a match as quickly as Mbappé. His combination of explosive pace, intelligent movement, and top-tier goal scoring makes him a constant threat and one of the most difficult forwards in the world to defend.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Mbappé will once again be among the favorites for the Champions League Golden Boot as Real Madrid pursue another European title. Expect him to be at the center of their attack strategy and in the spotlight during their biggest matches.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Stream every Real Madrid UEFA Champions League match live and on demand on Paramount+.
2. Erling Haaland
- Position: Forward
- National team: Norway
- UEFA Champions League club: Manchester City
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Arguably the breakout star of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Haaland powered Norway to the quarterfinals, scoring seven goals to rank among the tournament’s top scorers. His combination of strength, movement, and ruthless finishing made him one of the most feared strikers at the World Cup.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Haaland remains one of the most dominant goal scorers in soccer. His size, speed, positioning, and finishing ability allow him to create danger from almost anywhere in the box and make him a constant threat against any opponent.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Haaland will once again be among the favorites for the Champions League Golden Boot as he leads Man City’s pursuit of another European title.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Stream every Manchester City UEFA Champions League match live and on demand on Paramount+.
3. Jude Bellingham
Getty Images
- Position: Midfielder
- National team: England
- UEFA Champions League club: Real Madrid
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Bellingham was one of the breakout stars in this year’s World Cup. He pushed England to a 3rd-place finish, scoring crucial knockout goals—including a brace in the 2-1 win against Norway in the quarterfinals—and finishing among the tournament’s top scorers with seven goals.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Bellingham is one of the most complete midfielders in the game. He can press hard, make game-saving interventions, carry the ball up the field, and score goals.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Expect Bellingham to remain one of Real Madrid’s most important players, using his defensive work rate, ball-carrying ability, and attacking instincts to control matches at the highest level.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Every Real Madrid UEFA Champions League match will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
4. Lamine Yamal
Getty Images
- Position: Winger
- National team: Spain
- UEFA Champions League club: Barcelona
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: He’s just 19, sure, but Yamal was one of the stars of the tournament, playing a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph with his speed, dribbling, and ability to create chances. His confidence and attacking flair made him one of the most exciting players to watch throughout the competition even with a nagging injury.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Though a teenager, Yamal plays with the confidence of a veteran. His elite dribbling, close control, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one make him capable of producing game-changing moments against Europe’s top teams.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Barcelona’s attack this season has been built around giving Yamal a support structure, with three attackers who can help create the space he thrives in.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Follow Yamal and Barcelona by streaming UEFA Champions League matches live and on demand on Paramount+.
5. Harry Kane
Getty Images
- Position: Forward
- National team: England
- UEFA Champions League club: Bayern Munich
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Kane captained England to one of their best ever finishes, scoring six goals along the way and becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Kane is more than a traditional forward. He can drop into midfield to create chances, bring teammates into the attack, and then turn up in the box and score himself. That combination of playmaking and goalscoring has made him one of the most complete forwards in the game.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Kane will once again be at the center of Bayern Munich’s attack as the club looks to go one step further in Europe after reaching the semifinals last season. He scored 14 goals in the 2025-2026 Champions League, finishing second in the competition’s scoring race—so another Golden Boot challenge is well within reach.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Stream every Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League match live and on demand on Paramount+.
6. Rodri
Getty Images
- Position: Midfielder
- National team: Spain
- UEFA Champions League club: Barcelona
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Rodri was the anchor of Spain’s midfield throughout its World Cup title run, leading the tournament in completed passes and showcasing his ability to control the tempo, break up play, and dictate matches from the center of the pitch. He was named best player of the tournament and won the Golden Ball.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Rodri’s positioning, passing range, and ability to read the game make him one of the most influential midfielders in world soccer. He can win possession, escape pressure, and move the ball forward with precision.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Expect Rodri to be a big part of the foundation of Barcelona’s midfield, providing the control and composure that allows the club’s attacking players to thrive as they chase another European title.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Watch every Barcelona UEFA Champions League match on Paramount+, where you can stream live and on demand.
7. Michael Olise
Getty Images
- Position: Winger
- National team: France
- UEFA Champions League club: Bayern Munich
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Olise was one of France’s standout players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading the tournament with seven assists. His vision, passing, and ability to create chances from the right side helped make him one of the tournament’s most dangerous playmakers.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Olise can change a game with one pass. His creativity, and control allow him to create chances from wide areas while also cutting into central positions to influence the attack. He has quickly become one of Bayern’s most important players.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Olise will be central to Bayern’s attack after finishing the 2025-2026 season as the Bundesliga’s leading assist provider and tying for the Champions League lead with eight assists. Expect him to continue creating chances and look for ways to unlock defenses as Bayern chase another European title.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Stream every Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League match live and on demand on Paramount+.
8. Declan Rice
Getty Images
- Position: Midfielder
- National team: England
- UEFA Champions League club: Arsenal
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Rice was a vital presence in England’s midfield all tournament long, providing defensive stability, composure under pressure, and passing precision. He also had a historic captaincy performance in the third-place match against France, becoming the first England player to record a goal and an assist in his first World Cup match as a captain.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Rice has established himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders, combining defensive awareness with the ability to progress the ball, break up attacks, and drive his team forward. His versatility allows him to impact the game at both ends of the pitch.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Rice will remain central to Arsenal’s pursuit of European success. His ability to control the midfield and provide a foundation against elite competition will be crucial as the club pushes for a return to the UCL Final.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Catch every single Arsenal UEFA Champions League match on Paramount+, where you can stream live and on demand.
9. Ousmane Dembélé
Getty Images
- Position: Forward
- National team: France
- UEFA Champions League club: Paris Saint-Germain
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Dembélé was a nailed-on starter for France throughout its 2026 FIFA World Cup run, finishing with six goals and a pair of assists. His pace, dribbling, movement, and ability to create chances made him one of France’s most dangerous attacking players as they reached the semifinals.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Dembélé has developed into a complete attacker, pairing the explosiveness and one-on-one ability that have always been part of his game with better decision-making and finishing. He can beat defenders off the dribble, set up his teammates, and consistently make himself a threat in front of goal.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: After helping PSG win back-to-back Champions League titles and earning the competition’s Player of the Season award in 2024-2025, Dembélé will be one of the players to watch as the club tries to do it again. Expect him to remain a central figure in PSG’s attack and one of the biggest threats in the knockout stages.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Stream every Paris Saint-Germain UEFA Champions League match live and on demand on Paramount+.
10. Matheus Cunha
Getty Images
- Position: Forward
- National team: Brazil
- UEFA Champions League club: Manchester United
- 2026 FIFA World Cup performance: Cunha brought much-needed energy and versatility to Brazil’s attack during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, using his movement, creativity, and high-intensity pressing to help unlock opposing defenses.
- Why he’s a player to watch: Cunha is the type of forward who impacts the game in multiple ways. His pressing, ball-carrying ability, creativity, and movement between the lines give Man United another dangerous attacking option.
- What to expect this UEFA Champions League season: Expect Cunha to play a vital role in Man United’s attack, whether by creating chances, linking play, or driving forward with the ball. His versatility could make him a valuable piece during the biggest matches of the UEFA Champions League campaign.
- How to watch on Paramount+: Every Manchester United UEFA Champions League match streams live and on demand on Paramount+.
Where to watch the UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League brings together the best clubs and players in the world, with every match streaming live and on demand on Paramount+. From the opening matches of the league to the knockout rounds and final, fans can follow the biggest moments of the competition all season long.
With a Paramount+ subscription, you can stream every single UEFA Champions League match across your devices, making it easy to keep up with the world’s top players as they compete for Europe’s most coveted club trophy.
UEFA Champions League
Watch Now
