The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is upon us. Featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, fans will be hoping the bigger-than-ever-before tournament will bring excitement, drama, and dreams of their team lifting the trophy.
One certainty is that faith will be present on the field, as players across many competing nations have proudly shared their Christian beliefs.
Here are eleven of those players who look to glorify Jesus’ name when they step onto the pitch.
Marc Guehi - England
The son of a south London church leader, 25 year-old Guehi is set to be one of England’s starting centre backs. He’s known for inscribing Bible verses onto his boots, wearing “Isaiah 54:17” (“No weapon formed against you shall prosper”) as he made his debut for Manchester City in January . While captain at previous club Crystal Palace, Guehi risked disciplinary action from the Football Association for writing “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on rainbow armbands, during the Premier League’s LGBT inclusion campaign. He will line up alongside fellow believers Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Ivan Toney.
Ben Gannon-Doak - Scotland
Having been taken off on a stretcher in tears in the game Scotland qualified for the World Cup, requiring his third surgery in as many years, Gannon-Doak has been vocal about how a reliance on God has given him strength. The 20 year-old Catholic told the BBC he “felt God calling” three years ago after his first injury, and has since felt “blessed with a platform” to share the gospel as a professional footballer at AFC Bournemouth. The club have shared the meanings behind Bible verses he often wrote on tape during rehabilitation.
Alisson Becker - Brazil
A shot-stopper on the pitch, Alisson has been sharing the gospel with his teammates in the changing room. “I’m still speechless to describe Jesus’ love!” he said, after baptising Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino and Monique Salum, wife of compatriot Fred. “God is love” and the Bible verse John 3:16 make up his bio on social media accounts. The 33 year-old faces tough competition to start in goal from Ederson, a fellow Christian in the Brazilian team.
Christian Pulisic - USA
Captaining the United States at a home tournament, Pulisic has long spoken about how Jesus keeps him grounded and gives him strength. The 27 year old values his cross necklace, gifted by his mother, as one of his most prized possessions. Captain America, as he is nicknamed, is known for leading team Bible studies, sharing annotated scripture with his Instagram followers.
Jeremy Doku - Belgium
Having been open about his journey with Christ, Doku was baptised in December last year. It was after a win with Manchester City in the Premier League, when he told reporters that it was already a “victory day” as he explained the meaning of what he was about to do. Days before the tournament, the 24 year old shared a Bible study video from Acts 12 about Peter being set free from prison, a passage that spoke to him as he navigated identity as a professional footballer.
Felix Nmecha - Germany
“Football is my passion, Jesus is my foundation”, reads the 25 year old midfielder’s Instagram bio. Nmecha has previously spoken about how stepping onto the pitch is about glorifying God. His transfer to Borussia Dortmund caused controversy three years ago, after some fans argued he should not be signed because of his traditional views on gender and sexuality.
Noah Sadiki - DR Congo
“Jesus is my Lord and saviour”, Sadiki declared in an Easter message for Ballers in God. He has brought energy and tight dribbling to the DRC midfield since being called up two years ago; helping the country qualify for its first World Cup since 1974, when it was known as Zaire. The Sunderland player holds Romans 8:31 as a verse close to the heart: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Cody Gakpo - Netherlands
Leader of the Dutch team Bible study group, the 27 year old is likely to start up front at his second World Cup. He scored goals in every group stage game last tournament, and was the joint winner of the Golden Boot in the 2024 Euros. Playing club football for Liverpool, he revealed an undershirt emblazoned with “I Belong to Jesus” after scoring a decisive goal in the title race in 2025, a shirt first popularised by Brazilian legend Kaka.
Aimar Sher - Iraq
While making up less than 1% of the population, Assyrian Christians make up around a fifth of Iraq’s squad. Sher was in the starting lineup as the nation qualified for its first World Cup since 1986. On social media, the 23 year-old midfielder has also posted pictures of him wearing the iconic “I Belong to Jesus” shirt.
Antoine Semenyo - Ghana
Having been baptised on Bournemouth Beach last year, videos of the forward praying with his pastor on the touchlines while playing on the south coast went viral. He reads Philippians 4:13 before games, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, even having the verse tattooed on his arm as a reminder of faith and to pray for him and the team. Having moved to Manchester City in January, the 26 year old will make his second World Cup appearance for the Black Stars on the wing.
Luka Modric - Croatia
At his fifth World Cup, the devout Catholic is set to surpass 200 international caps during the tournament. He wears shinpads depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary, as well as his family, while his manager Zlatko Dalic carries a rosary on the touchline. The 40 year old midfield maestro will hope to impress on what could be his farewell on the global stage.
Plus - a special menton for the smallest nation in the World Cup, Curaçao. The Blue Wave have prayed and sung worship together during their pre-tournament training camp, coming together for a moment of spiritual unity and to life Jesus' name.