World Cup Crushes: The Finest Black Soccer Players You Need to Watch in 2026
The 2026 World Cup has been taking over the internet as soccer players and fans around the globe fight for their country to be crowned the best in the world. While it might seem boring if you’re not a sports fan, the international tournament is fun for more than just athletics — many of the athletes are very handsome, and you might want to tune in for that reason alone. To help you pick out your World Cup crush, we’ve got a list of some of the finest Black soccer players you might see on the pitch.
Jude Bellingham (England)
Jude Bellingham, 22, is a midfielder for the English national team who has stolen hearts and made waves in the soccer world as an integral player in every game he’s in. When he’s not playing in the World Cup, Bellingham plays with Real Madrid in Spain.
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Iliman Ndiaye, 26, is a midfielder for Senegal, the current champions of the Africa Cup of Nations. He also plays for Everton Football Club, a soccer team in the English Premier League, the highest level of soccer leagues in England.
Marcus Rashford (England)
Marcus Rashford, 28, not only keeps himself looking fly on the pitch with a great head of hair and tight cornrows, but he is the definition of a team player, always doing what’s best for his English squad. Having just finished a season in Spain for La Liga club Barcelona, Rashford is expected to return to Manchester United at the end of this World Cup.
Related: France Says This Black Man is The Most Handsome Man in The Country
Miles Robinson (United States)
For Team USA, Miles Robinson is making fans swoon when he gets on the pitch. The 29-year-old is a center back for the Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati. This is his first time in the World Cup after an injury held him back from the 2022 international tournament in Qatar.
Haji Wright (United States)
Another fine player for Team USA, Haji Wright, 28, is a winger for the national team and for his soccer club, Coventry City in England. He has scored 17 goals in over 30 appearances, helping Coventry City return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
Not only does Vinícius Júnior, 25, have a dazzling smile, but he is one of the main men for Brazil’s national team, largely regarded as the team’s best player in its World Cup opening match against Morocco. When he’s not leading his country’s team to victory, Júnior is a forward for La Liga club Real Madrid.
Vozinha (Cape Verde)
arrives to the stadium prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Josimar José Évora Dias, 40, better known by his nickname Vozinha, has not only gone viral this World Cup for his good looks, but also for his impeccable talent as a goalkeeper for Cape Verde. For the team’s opening match against Spain, Vozinha managed to save seven tough goals from the opposing team, making him a World Cup hero.
Michael Olise (France)
Nonchalant off the pitch but an intimidating winger on the field, Michael Olise, 24, is a strong player for Team France. He earned the Superior Player of the Match trophy after the French team’s win against Senegal on June 16. He also plays for the Bundesliga club Bayern Munich in Germany.
Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)
Democratic Republic of Congo team captain Chancel Mbemba has helped lead his team back into the World Cup after a 52-year absence. When he’s not acting as captain for DR Congo and center back for Ligue 1 club Lille in France, you can find him stunting in high-fashion pieces.
Joao Paulo (Cape Verde)
Joao Paulo, 28, is a stunning midfielder playing for Cape Verde’s national team. Along with Vozinha, Paulo is making his World Cup debut with the West African team, putting them on the world stage and showing folks how it goes down in Cape Verde.
Livano Comenencia (Curaçao)
Curaçao is another team making its World Cup debut, and joining them is the suave Livano Comenencia, 22, who also plays as a right back for the Swiss Super League club Zürich. He made history on June 14 by scoring Curaçao’s first-ever goal in the tournament.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Virgil van Dijk, 34, is a seriously beautiful veteran soccer player. Acting as captain for both the Netherlands and the Premier League club Liverpool, Van Dijk has the finesse to bring the Dutch national team to the finals and help them secure their first win.
Marc Guéhi (England)
Marc Guéhi, 25, is a man to look out for on the England squad and not just because he looks like he should be on the cover of Men’s Health magazine. Guéhi is an impressive center back for the Premier League club Manchester City and one of the most reliable players on the team.
Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo)
It’s hard to miss Samuel Moutoussamy, 29, and his luscious crop of curls on the pitch. The midfielder is a necessary fixture for the DR Congo national team and a talented player for the Greek Super League club Atromitos.
Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands)
A midfielder for the Dutch national team, Ryan Gravenberch, 24, is a mesmerizing watch for both his talent and charisma. When he’s not in an international tournament, he plays with his captain, Van Dijk, on the Liverpool squad.
Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal)
Representing Team Senegal, Moussa Niakhaté, 30, will have you glued to the screen for both his world-class smile and his versatile style of play. Niakhaté also spends a lot of time in France as a member of the Ligue 1 club Lyon.
Zion Suzuki (Japan)
Born of Ghanaian and Japanese heritage, Zion Suzuki, 23, is the goalkeeper Team Japan is relying on for this World Cup — and for good reason. The rising star is known as one of the top young goalkeepers in this year’s tournament. He also has an amazing facial structure; he should try modeling in his free time.
