Among Them Arabs… New Stars Steal the Spotlight at the Start of World Cup 2026

## New Stars Emerge in the Opening Stage of World Cup 2026

18 June 2026 – While household names such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane dominated headlines surrounding the 2026 World Cup, this edition also produced a wave of breakout performers who stepped out of the shadows, leveraged the expanded competition, and wrote memorable chapters on the world stage.

### Unexpected Heroes

#### Fozinia (Cape Verde) – Goalkeeper, 40

The 40‑year‑old goalkeeper from Cape Verde, Fozinia, became one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. After his debut, he turned into a social‑media phenomenon, amassing more than 13 million followers on Instagram.

#### Levano Cominencia (Curaçao) – Forward, 22

Levano Cominencia entered the record books by scoring Curaçao’s first ever World Cup goal, despite a heavy 1 – 7 loss to Germany. The goal remains a historic moment for the smallest nation ever to qualify. Cominencia, aged 22, plies his trade with FC Zürich in Switzerland.

#### Boualem Khouki (Qatar) – Defender, 35

Veteran Qatari defender Boualem Khouki captured attention with his fighting spirit when he forced a Swiss player to score an own goal, earning "the maroon" its first point in World Cup history. At 35, Khouki celebrated the goal as his own. His 15‑year professional career includes seven seasons with Al‑Arabi and nine with Al‑Sadd before moving abroad.

### Unforeseen Historic Moments

#### Yovo Lukic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – Forward, 22

Bosnian striker Yovo Lukic wrote a special chapter by netting his first international goals in his first World Cup match, securing a valuable draw against Canada. His spectacular header from a corner made him the first player to score in his debut World Cup match on Canadian soil.

#### Elijah Jest (New Zealand) – Forward, 24

New Zealander Elijah Jest delivered a flawless performance against Iran, scoring two goals from just two shots in a 2 – 2 draw. He became the first New Zealander to score twice in a single World Cup match. Jest currently plays for Motherwell in Scotland and has also featured in Denmark and Austria.

#### Imam Ashour (Egypt) – Midfielder, 28

Al Ahly midfielder Imam Ashour stole the show with a brilliant strike past Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. At 28, he was named Man of the Match, outshining global stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Doku, and Mohamed Salah. Ashour spent only one season in Europe, spending the bulk of his career in Egypt.

### The Moroccan Dream – Ayoub Bouadi, 18

Young Moroccan prospect Ayoub Bouadi emerged as one of the tournament’s most promising discoveries after an impressive display against Brazil. The 18‑year‑old, who watched the 2018 World Cup from the stands as a dreaming child, now links defense and attack for Lille in France with confidence. Bouadi recorded 66 precise passes, a 100 % success rate in duels, and multiple ball recoveries, showcasing his talent despite limited international experience. He narrowly missed the Man of the Match award, which went to Brazil’s Viníus Jr.

### A New Era of Talent

These stories illustrate that brilliance at the World Cup is no longer the exclusive domain of established superstars. The 2026 tournament has become a genuine platform for fresh talent to emerge, reshape expectations, and influence the global football narrative.

Edited by F.Y.