The lesser-known players making waves at the 2026 World Cup so far

Andreas Schjelderup is the latest little-known player to make a smashing impression at the World Cup. Benfica isn't exactly a small potatoes club or anything, but it's fair to say that the 22-year-old Norway winger's two assists in 45 minutes off the bench to eliminate Brazil — with a little help from Erling Haaland — really jumped off the screen. MORE — Modric, Ronaldo, and an emotional night in Toronto The left winger came off the bench in three of Norway's first four games and started against France, getting an assist against Les Bleus . The baby-faced playmaker has 17 caps in his career and will surely get more love over the summer. This has been a World Cup of well-known stars as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Ousmane Dembele duke it out for the Golden Boot, but there have also been a bevy of lesser-known standouts at the tournament. Like James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas in 2014, Aleksandr Golovin in 2018, and Azzedine Ounahi at the 2022 World Cup, new faces can catapult their reputations to a new level. Johan Manzambi, Switzerland Club: Freiburg The youngest player to reach five goal involvements in the history of the World Cup, Manzambi is also coming off a 7-goal season in all comps for his Bundesliga club. Neil El Aynaoui and Ismael Saibari, Morocco Saibari has just sealed a move to Bayern Munich and El Ayanoui may soon be leaping from AS Roma to an even bigger club after just one season in Serie A. He leads the tournament in tackles won and gets stuck into duels like a champion. Julian Quinones, Mexico Club: Al-Qadsiah (Saudi Pro League) The Colombian-born 29-year-old striker hadn't left the Western Hemisphere before going to Saudi, where he's scored like a madman. Three different World Cup games with goals may move him to Europe. Yan Diomande, Ivory Coast Club: RB Leipzig He ranks ninth in carried distance with the ball at the World Cup. He made his name before this tournament but it's almost impossible not to deem him on the cusp of megastardom at the moment. It was always be incredible to note that he got his start in the lower lower tier UPSL back in 2023. ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 30: Cote d’Ivoire forera Yan Diomande (#11) dribbles up field during the FIFA World Cup 26 Round of 32 match between Norway and Côte d’Ivoire on June 30, 2026 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Stephen Eustaquio, Canada Club: LAFC (on loan from Porto) The Canadian-Portuguese midfielder is 29 and has already returned to North America at the moment but there's no ignoring his special run at this tournament, as his 12 chances created in five games are surpassed by only Kylian Mbappe, Achraf Hakimi, Leandro Trossard, and Mohamed Salah. Orlando Gill, Paraguay Patrick Beach, New Zealand Vozinha, Cape Verde There are always goalkeepers who make their names at the World Cup and few have made impacts like the gigantic Gill, whose 23 saves are the most in this tournament. Gill is 26 and plays for San Lorenzo in Argentina. The 22-year-old Beach, from Australia, plies his trade at Melbourne City while we have to mention the 40-year-old Vozinha. Malik Tillman, USMNT Club: Bayer Leverkusen He's second on the U.S. in shots, xG, chances created, xA, and shots on target. Tillman leads the U.S. in possessions won as well as ground duels contested and won. His averaged meters per ball carry (11.0) trail only Folarin Balogun. In short, he's been a if not the difference maker. Pedro Vite, Ecuador Club: Pumas (Liga MX) The 24-year-old earned his way into Liga MX through a long run with Vancouver Whitecaps and look primed to take another step. He was a monster in possession and the final third. He's among the tournament leaders in tackles and possessions won. Tarik Muharemovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina Club: Sassuolo The Slovenian-born center back was one of several defensive stars for BIH at the tournament, where his 43 clearances are currently the tournament high despite his making just three appearances. He also won 12-of-13 aerial duels.