Ten stars to watch in the FIFA Series 2026

FIFA picks out stars ten players from ten nations to keep an eye on during the second edition of the friendly tournament.

• The FIFA Series 2026 runs from 25 to 31 March
• Some 34 nations will take part, including five World Cup-bound sides
• Likes of Elijah Just and Peter Shalulile are set to star

The men's FIFA Series 2026™ gets under way on 25 March, with 34 nations taking part in the second instalment of the ground-breaking friendly tournament.

Here, FIFA runs through ten star players to watch as the action unfolds.

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Everything you need to know about the FIFA Series 2026™

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Oliver Antman – Finland

A pacy and direct winger with exceptional dribbling ability, Antman is the focal point of a new-look Finland side that is eyeing serious progress over the next four-year cycle. After registering a huge 21 goal involvements in 35 Eredivisie matches for Go Ahead Eagles in 2024/25, the 24-year-old moved to Rangers last year where he has contributed to four goals at the time of writing in an injury-hit campaign.

Finland will face New Zealand and Cabo Verde in the FIFA Series.

Gerald Diaz – Puerto Rico

All-action midfielder Diaz has been a lynchpin of Los Boricuas' engine room for almost a decade, and will surely relish the opportunity to perform on a global stage. Comfortable across the midfield but most at home in a deep-lying position, Diaz is calm under pressure and adept at side-stepping beyond opponents and playing killer passes.

Puerto Rico will face Guam and US Virgin Islands or American Samoa.

Lucas Herrington – Australia

It’s been a remarkable ascent for the 18-year-old defender who hadn’t played senior football until 15 months ago. Before he made his professional bow, his coach at former side Brisbane Roar termed Herrington the "best defender in Australian football." Signed in January by the Colorado Rapids while he was still in high school, he hit the ground running and has played every minute of the club’s Major League Soccer campaign so far. Tall, quick, comfortable on the ball and good in one-on-one situations, Herrington is in line to make his Socceroos debut three months out from the World Cup.

Australia will face Cameroon and Curaçao.

Elijah Just – New Zealand

One of the hottest properties in Scottish and New Zealand football, this versatile Motherwell attacker is one to keep tabs during the FIFA Series and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™. The 25-year-old has the ability to ghost across the pitch and pop up on either wing or in central areas, where his quick feet and eye for a pass are deadly. He's managed 14 goal involvements in his debut campaign for the Steelmen, while hitting eight strikes in 40 All Whites caps.

New Zealand will face Cabo Verde and Finland.

Abdukodir Khusanov – Uzbekistan

After a steady start to life at Manchester City following his move from Lens last January, centre-back Khusanov has become a mainstay in the Citizens' backline this term. Blessed with blistering pace and comfortable on the ball, the 22-year-old looks set to star for club and country for years to come.

Uzbekistan take on Gabon and Venezuela.

Christian Kofane – Cameroon

Bayer Leverkusen forward Kofane only made his national team debut at the 2025 AFCON, but made a name for himself with two goals in four matches. Tall, quick, a powerful runner with the ball and a talented dribbler, the 19-year-old has turned heads in the Bundesliga this term with five goals and four assists at the time of writing.

Cameroon will face Australia and China PR.

Salomon Rondon – Venezuela

Veteran attacker Rondon is showing no signs of slowing down, as the 36-year-old closes in on a half-century of goals for La Vinotinto. The hulking target man has bulged nets in his homeland, Spain, Russia, England, China PR, Argentina and is still doing so in Mexico, having managed a goal every other game for Pachuca since arriving in 2024.

Venezuela will face Trinidada and Tobago and Gabon.

Peter Shalulile – Namibia

One of the deadliest African forwards around right now, Shalulile comes into these matches on a run of four goals in as many games for his nation and will look to add to his tally of 19 from 52 caps. Shaluile, who has hit 107 goals in 225 matches for South African titans Mamelodi Sundowns, is armed with every kind of finish and is a strong aerial presence.

Namibia will face Kazakhstan and Comoros.

Vozinha – Cabo Verde

A bona fide national icon with 86 caps to his name, goalkeeper Vozinha dazzled as Cabo Verde qualified for their maiden World Cup and he'll be out to impress again here. The 39-year-old kept seven clean sheets in ten qualifiers, conceding just eight all told as the Sharks topped Group D. He turns 40 just before World Cup 2026, but is showing no signs of slowing down.

Cabo Verde will face Chile and Finland.