Top 7 World Cup debutants who stole the spotlight

Every FIFA World Cup introduces new stars to a global audience, but the opening round of matches at the 2026 tournament has highlighted a particularly impressive crop of debutants.

From established names finally experiencing football's biggest stage to young talents announcing themselves to the world, several first-time World Cup participants have already played decisive roles for their countries. While some arrived with lofty expectations, others have emerged as surprise packages, producing performances that have captured attention across the globe.

Here are seven debutants who have made the strongest impression so far.

Vozinha (Cape Verde)

Dreams do not come with an age limit, and 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha proved exactly that. Making his World Cup debut in Cape Verde's first-ever match at the tournament, he delivered a heroic performance to help his side secure a goalless draw against Spain.

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The veteran shot-stopper produced seven saves against one of the competition's most dangerous attacks, quickly becoming one of the standout performers of the opening round and earning admiration far beyond the shores of the island nation.

Erling Haaland (Norway)

Few debutants arrived under greater scrutiny than Erling Haaland, and the Norway striker wasted little time showing why he is regarded as one of the world's finest forwards.

Haaland opened his World Cup account after just 29 minutes against Iraq, powering his way through the penalty area to finish an Antonio Nusa cross. 

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He then added a second after capitalising on a goalkeeping mistake following an aggressive press, giving Norway the perfect start and underlining his reputation as a ruthless goalscorer.

Nestory Irankunda (Australia)

Nestory Irankunda's journey to the World Cup is remarkable. Born in a refugee camp in Tanzania after his family fled Burundi's civil war, he moved to Australia as an infant and has now repaid that opportunity on football's grandest stage.

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The winger etched his name into Australian football history with a brilliantly taken goal in the Socceroos' 2-0 victory over Turkey, becoming one of the youngest stars of the tournament.

Michael Olise (France)

Although much of the attention focused on Kylian Mbappe's record-breaking exploits, Michael Olise played a crucial role in France's opening victory.

With France struggling to break down their opponents, the Bayern Munich attacker moved into a more central position after the interval and transformed the contest. 

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His incisive passing and creativity culminated in a sublime assist for Mbappé, helping France on their way to a 3-1 win.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)

Morocco's clash with Brazil featured several established stars, yet it was 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi who emerged as one of the game's standout performers.

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Displaying maturity well beyond his years, Bouaddi excelled in midfield against experienced opponents such as Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes. He linked defence and attack seamlessly, providing composure in possession while helping Morocco remain competitive throughout a high-profile encounter.

Folarin Balogun (USA)

Folarin Balogun announced himself in style during the United States' emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Leading the line with confidence, the striker scored twice, including one particularly memorable finish, as the Americans made a flying start to their campaign. 

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In doing so, Balogun became the first USA player to score two goals in a World Cup match since 1930, placing himself among the early stars of the tournament.

Elijah Just (New Zealand)

New Zealand's return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence was made even more memorable by Elijah Just.

The forward produced a dazzling display in a 2-2 draw with Iran in Los Angeles, scoring both goals for the All Whites. One of his strikes is already being discussed as a potential Goal of the Tournament contender, while his overall performance ensured New Zealand began their campaign with a valuable point.

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With the group stage still in its early days, these players have already left a lasting impression. Whether established internationals or emerging talents, all seven have shown they belong on football's biggest stage.