Three Veteran Strikers To Watch Out for at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

3Tips for you!

A mural of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – Source: Pixabay

We have less than a month to go until Mexico kicks off the 2026 FIFA World Cup by welcoming South Africa to the iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11th. And with the tournament fast approaching, a slew of currently unanswered questions will finally have their answers.

Will Lionel Messi be able to lead Argentina to a second straight title at the ripe old age of 39? Will his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo and his beloved Portugal give the Albiceleste a rude awakening in a potential quarterfinal clash for the ages at the even riper old age of 41? And what of the 40-year-old Luka Modric? He led Croatia to the final in 2018 and then secured third place four years later. Will they be the dark horses to watch for the third straight tournament?

While a lot of veterans will enjoy their swansong in North America this summer, it’s the young guns that online betting sites are currently tipping for glory.

The latest World Cup odds at Bovada currently make reigning European Champions Spain the 9/2 favorite to reign supreme at MetLife Stadium on July 19th, primarily thanks to the brilliance of teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. But while the young Barcelona sensation will enjoy this storied tournament for editions to come, 2026 will be the final time that some elder statesmen ever venture onto the storied World Cup stage.

Yes, yes, we all know about Messi, Ronaldo, and Modric.

However, some other veterans could well steal the headlines Stateside this summer. Here are three veteran strikers who will be hoping to make their mark on the World Cup for the last — and for some, first — time ever.

Lionel Messi looks to be in World Cup form already 🐐 pic.twitter.com/6Izrq8zJ75

— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) April 19, 2026

Ante Budimir — Croatia

Ante Budimir has had to wait patiently for his chance to become Croatia’s starting striker. For so long, former Juventus and Bayern Munich man Mario Mandžukić was the undisputed first choice, amassing 89 appearances and 33 goals across a stellar 11-year career in which he scored the famous winner that sent his nation to a first-ever World Cup final in 2018. Then, in 2022, Andrej Kramarić was shuffled inside from his usual spot on the left wing into the central striking role.

While Kramarić remains, he has been playing in a deeper attacking midfield role for his club side Hoffenheim. He is expected to do the same for Croatia at the World Cup, with 34-year-old unheralded Osasuna striker Ante Budimir finally getting his shot to lead his country into battle on the grandest stage.

Budimir has been in blistering form in La Liga this season, netting 17 goals in 34 appearances and leading Osasuna toward the top half of the table. The Croat has outscored names such as Lamine Yamal, Vinícius Júnior, and Robert Lewandowski in Spain this season, and he will be aiming to carry that form into the World Cup. The former Lokomotiva Zagreb has been in fine form for the national team too, netting twice and providing two assists in just five qualifying appearances.

Manager Zlatko Dalić has no shortage of striking options heading into the World Cup. FC Dallas’ Petar Musa, Freiburg’s Igor Matanovic, and Benfica’s Franjo Ivanović will all be competing for a starting berth, while there is always the option of playing Kramarić as an out-and-out striker once again. However, it’s Budimir who is expected to win the battle, and this will be his first and last opportunity to make an impression on the grandest stage. If Croatia’s last two efforts are anything to go by, he will certainly make the most of his chance.

Enner Valencia — Ecuador

Ecuador are currently in the midst of their golden generation. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo is arguably the finest defensive midfielder on the planet, while defender Willian Pacho is one of the first names on the team sheet with Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain. Both of those are aged just 24, as is Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié, while AC Milan left back Pervis Estupiñán is a more than capable left wing back.

But amid all the young talent, one veteran striker remains at the top of the pitch: Enner Valencia. The 36-year-old is currently the captain of La Tri and remains as important as ever. With 49 goals in 105 games, he is already his country’s all-time top scorer, as well as their fifth most capped player. His six goals in the South American qualifying section were a number only bettered by Lionel Messi, Luis Diaz, and Bolivia’s Miguel Terceros, and despite his advancing years, he will be the main source of goals for a highly rated Ecuador team this summer.

Edin Džeko — Bosnia & Herzegovina

Edin Džeko is already the most decorated Bosnian footballer in history. He turned 40 in March, and he remains the first name on the team sheet of the Zmajevi, just as he was in 2014 when he led his nation to the World Cup for the first time. 12 years on, the former Manchester City striker is still scoring goals, not only at club level but also internationally.

He netted Bosnia’s crucial late equaliser in their World Cup playoff semifinal against Wales in Cardiff. He would then lead the line with the work rate of a man ten years his junior as Bosnia beat Italy in their playoff final, ensuring that the Azzurri’s wait for a return to the World Cup went on.

Džeko moved to German giants Schalke in January and has proceeded to reel off six goals and three assists in just nine games, helping fire the Royal Blues back to the Bundesliga after three years away. Now, he looks to lead Bosnia on an underdog run for the ages at the World Cup this summer.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Milos Markovic

Formerly a Chief Editor at the largest sports site in Serbia Sportske.net, Milos Markovic is an avid football writer who contributes to a variety of online football magazines – most prominently Soccernews.com and Futbolgrad.com. His feature articles, editorials, interviews and match analyses have provided informed opinion and views, helping the football aficionados keep up to date on relevant events in world football.

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