The Round of 32 is nearly complete, with the final three matches taking place Friday at the FIFA World Cup, highlighted by Argentine soccer great Lionel Messi taking to the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are once again being celebrated for World Cup records and along with the likes of Manuel Neuer and Luka Modrić symbolize a new age trend in elite football. Whereas players used to be considered past their prime in their early 30s,

With 48 teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stars will be out in full force. Here are the biggest names to watch.

Elite careers can extend well beyond what previous generations thought possible. For decades, professional soccer operated under a simple assumption: once players reached their mid-30s, the end of their careers was usually in sight.