Rasmus out of shadows and Beau is ready to go

A football World Cup, the Winter Olympics and numerous grand slams and majors will define the sports stars of 2026. Here we pick out 10 contenders for headlines across the 12 months to come...

- 

1. LAMINE YAMAL (FOOTBALL) Since making his Barcelona debut at the age of 15 in 2023, Yamal has continued to rewrite the record books for both club and country, and will head into next year’s World Cup as a veteran of the big occasion. Spain will be heavily reliant on the now 18-year-old’s audacious talent in north America.

2. MIA BROOKES (SNOWBOARD) Brookes became the youngest ever snowboard world champion at the age of 16 in 2023 and has continued to rack up podium finishes. She will head to the Winter Olympics in February as arguably Great Britain's strongest bet for a medal in both the women’s slopestyle and Big Air disciplines.

3. GEORGE DELANEY (RUGBY LEAGUE) His St Helens teammate Harry Robertson stole the show last season, but 21-year-old Delaney delivered performances beyond his years in a rugged front row. Under the guidance of new boss Paul Rowley, Delaney’s influence on a resurgent Saints squad is only going to continue to grow through 2026.