From Modric to Mane, five stars to watch at the World Cup in Toronto
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TORONTO – Toronto is set to host six FIFA World Cup games, including a Round of 32 match, beginning with Canada’s first group game on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Here’s a look at a few visiting players to watch in Toronto.
Florian Wirtz, Germany
The 23-year-old is among a few stars who will look to lead Germany into the knockout rounds for the first time since the country won the World Cup in 2014. The Germans were eliminated in the group stage in the previous two tournaments. Wirtz stars for the English Premier League’s Liverpool squad and is considered among the best attacking midfielders in the world. He has scored 11 times in 40 caps for Germany since debuting in 2021. Germany plays Ivory Coast in Group E action on June 20 in Toronto.
Jamal Musiala, Germany
Musiala will be another star on the German squad who will be looked upon to carry the national team back to contention. The 23-year-old, who stars for Bundesliga’s Bayern Munich, is also among the world’s best attacking midfielders. He has helped Bayern to five straight Bundesliga titles, scoring 48 times in 154 caps for the German league powerhouse. He also has nine goals in 41 appearances for the German national team since his debut in 2021.
Antoine Semenyo, Ghana
The 26-year-old forward has proven to be an impactful player in the Premier League. Starting the 2025-26 campaign with Bournemouth, he had 10 goals and three assists in 20 appearances before moving to star-studded Manchester City. He’s scored seven goals with one assist in 17 games for City since. It will be Ghana’s second straight World Cup appearance, with its lone Group L game in Toronto being against Panama on June 17.
Luka Modric, Croatia
The 40-year-old captain is set to make his fifth World Cup appearance. Modric led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, and helped his country finish third in 2022. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner spent 13 seasons with Spanish giant Real Madrid. Croatia takes on Panama in Group L play in Toronto on June 23.
Sadio Mane, Senegal
The 34-year-old is regarded as one of Africa’s greatest players. Mane scored 90 goals in 196 appearances during a six-year stint with Liverpool, helping the English club win the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020. He has scored 55 goals in 127 appearances for Senegal. Senegal plays Iraq in Toronto on June 26 in Group I action.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2026.