Ten players we’d love to see in Kansas City at the World Cup quarterfinal
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lionel Messi scored a hat trick at Kansas City Stadium in Argentina's opener.
- Mohamed Salah has one goal and two assists and is expected to play vs. Australia.
- Vozinha kept two clean sheets and made 10 saves to help reach the knockouts.
Kansas City has already seen plenty of star power at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Local fans have witnessed three goals from Argentina icon Lionel Messi and 15 saves from Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room, along with other memorable appearances by players like Frenkie de Jong, Jan Paul van Hecke, Riyad Mahrez and others from across the globe.
More will soon be on the way as Kansas City prepares to host two knockout matches.
The biggest stars of all will be in attendance for the quarterfinals on July 11. Eight teams (Argentina, Cape Verde, Australia, Egypt, Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia and Ghana) could advance to that game. Several juicy matchups loom.
No matter what, some of the world’s top players will be playing in that game.
Here are 10 names that fans will be hoping to see:
Mohamed Salah, Egypt
Few players in this World Cup have accomplished more at the club level than Salah. The electric midfielder has been one of the biggest stars in the English Premier League for the past decade, as he guided Liverpool to countless memorable victories with highlight goals. Now he is trying to recreate some of those good times for his country.
Salah, perhaps the best African soccer player of all time, has recorded one goal and two assists at this tournament. He has helped Egypt advance to the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
His health is currently in question, but Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has said he expects Salah to play against Australia in the Round of 32. If Egypt can win that match and then take down Argentina or Cape Verde, Kansas City soccer fans will get to see Salah in the quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
The world’s most famous soccer player already wowed those in attendance at Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) with a hat trick in Argentina’s opening game of the World Cup.
What does he have in store for an encore?
Kansas City fans will find out if Argentina can take care of business as a heavy favorite against Cape Verde and then Australia or Egypt.
Jackson Irvine, Australia
Here’s a footballer who is simply fun to watch.
Not only does Irvine play with an aggressive and entertaining style for the Socceroos, his long blonde hair is impossible to miss on the pitch. The Bundesliga midfielder has been a fan favorite at all of Australia’s stops at this World Cup. That won’t change if his nation advances to the quarterfinals in Kansas City.
Daniel Munoz, Colombia
Local soccer fans will get an up-close look at Munoz when Colombia faces Ghana in the Round of 32 in Kansas City. Based on the way he has played thus far in the World Cup, few will complain if returns to town for the quarterfinals.
Munoz scored two goals to help Colombia win its group of Portugal. Now it’s time to see if the Crystal Palace winger can guide his team on a deep run on the bracket. Munoz vs. Messi in the quarterfinals would be a thrilling matchup.
Lautaro Martinez, Argentina
The Inter Milan star scored a goal for Argentina in the first half of its final game of group play, and he will look to build on that momentum now that his squad has advanced to the knockout rounds. Fans hold their breath and hope for Messi to score every time that Argentina plays, but this team is loaded with talent. Martinez is one of the best.
Johan Manzambi, Switzerland
Don’t feel bad if you were unfamiliar with Manzambi before the start of this World Cup. Switzerland hasn’t even included the Bundesliga soccer player in its starting lineup yet. But that hasn’t prevented him from scoring three goals and logging one assist in just 100 minutes of action as a substitute. His team is averaging one goal every 25 minutes when he is on the pitch.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria
Kansas City fans have already seen Algeria twice in this World Cup, so maybe another game with Mahrez isn’t at the top of their wish list. Then again, he scored a pair of exciting goals against Austria to help his nation reach the knockout rounds. Maybe an encore is in order.
Antoine Semenyo, Ghana
This 26-year-old midfielder is no stranger to big goals. In May, he found the back of the net at the 2026 FA Cup final to lift Manchester City to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea.
Luis Diaz, Colombia
The Bayern Munich forward found the back of the net for Colombia in its opening game against Uzbekistan. More could be on the way. He has scored 23 goals during his international career, along with many more for his club teams, which include stops at Liverpool and Porto.
Vozinha, Cape Verde
The presence of any Cape Verde player in Kansas City on July 11 would be a welcome surprise for soccer fans. Why? Because it would mean that a true Cinderella story is unfolding in front of our very eyes, similar to a No. 15 seed winning multiple games at the NCAA Tournament.
But let’s give the nod to Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha here. Not only does he go by a single name, like many other soccer greats, he has also helped his nation reach the knockout rounds by delivering a pair of clean sheets against Spain and Saudi Arabia. He has made 10 saves in this tournament.