CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 13: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium celebrates after scoring their side’s third goal from the penalty spot during the Group J FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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The World Cup is about to start, and that means it's time to break down the best teams and players before the tournament officially kicks off on Thursday between Mexico and South Africa.

In Group G, although there are some surging young talents, it's an old man's game, as our top players are all in their 30s.

Meet our superstar trio battling against 47 different nations and Father Time across North America this summer.

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MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid celebrates after saving a penalty kick from Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

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3. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid)

If you were to build the perfect goalkeeper in the lab, it would be Real Madrid's Courtois. Gigantic, athletic, and with a high sports IQ, he is the type of net protector that turns a good team into a great one. Although he's 34 and not as flawless as he once was, there are few, if any, goalkeepers you'd take over him heading into the World Cup.

2. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)

I don't care if he's 33, if your nickname is the "Egyptian King," then you're making it onto the list. While his professional future hangs in the balance following the end of the World Cup as his time in Liverpool has come to an end, Salah is still one of the best goal scorers in the world in his peak form.

It's going to be a tough ask for Salah to make a run with an Egyptian team not in its best condition, but if anyone can steal a few games, it might be Salah.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road on December 06, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

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1. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Napoli)

Ending our run of 30-year-olds, we have De Bruyne, who will turn 35 during the course of the tournament at the end of June. Still, the Belgian talisman is one of the best puppeteers in the world, and though he isn't as clinical as he was a few years ago, De Bruyne can still make the best teams look foolish with his vision and passing.

If this is truly his last dance at the end of what was considered Belgium's "golden generation," I expect him to make it a good and long one.

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