List of all previous winners heading to FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Manuel Neuer & N'Golo Kanté
A total of 22 World Cup winners will play in the 2026 iteration.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature not only the next generation of stars, but also a select group of players who have already experienced what it is like to raise football’s most prized trophy.
Lionel Messi’s magical feet, Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrobatic finishes, Lamine Yamal’s wing exploits, and Kylian Mbappe’s incredible pace will be in the action at the World Cup.
Several World Cup winners will return to the sport’s largest stage, hoping to add another chapter to their legacy. Reigning champions Argentina return with much of the core that won in Qatar four years ago.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will have 22 previous winners. The organisation confirmed that these former World Cup winners are returning to the global stage.
The largest group is made up of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning side. La Albiceleste’s defending champions kept several of the same players who won in Qatar, including Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Julian Alvarez, among others.
France have also sent several former champions to the competition. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and two other 2018 FIFA World Cup winners remain vital members of Didier Deschamps’ side.
However, a large portion of Argentina’s 2022 championship team will not be part of the title defence.
List of all previous winners at FIFA World Cup 2026
The following 22 players have previously won the competition and will compete in the 2026 edition.
Argentina
1. Thiago Almada
2. Julián Alvarez
3. Rodrigo De Paul
4. Enzo Fernández
5. Alexis Mac Allister
6. Emiliano Martínez
7. Lautaro Martínez
8. Lisandro Martínez
9. Lionel Messi
10. Nahuel Molina
11. Gonzalo Montiel
12. Nicolás Otamendi
13. Exequiel Palacios
14. Leandro Paredes
15. Cristian Romero
16. Gerónimo Rulli
17. Nicolás Tagliafico
Germany
1. Manuel Neuer
France
1. Ousmane Dembélé
2. Lucas Hernández
3. N’Golo Kanté
4. Kylian Mbappé
When did Manuel Neuer win the WC?
In 2014.
Which player has won most WC’s in this list?
Each has won only one.
Who will be the defending champions in FIFA World Cup 2026?
Argentina.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.