5 fun facts ahead of 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to bring together the world's best players across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. While no Southeast Asian national team managed to qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament, the region will still have a presence on football's biggest stage through several players currently plying their trade in the region. Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are all represented, with Selangor, Terengganu, Port FC and Persib Bandung contributing players to World Cup squads. Several others also came close to securing places before final selections were announced.

Mohammad Abualnadi (Selangor/Jordan)

Abualnadi joined Selangor shortly after making his senior international debut for Jordan against North Korea in 2024. The 25-year-old quickly established himself as a regular in the Malaysian Super League and remained part of Jordan's plans throughout their qualification campaign. Born in the United States, his World Cup selection also completes a full-circle moment as he prepares to return to his country of birth for football's biggest tournament.

 

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Noor Al-Rawabdeh (Selangor/Jordan)

One of Jordan's most experienced midfielders, Al-Rawabdeh arrived at Selangor in 2023 with significant international pedigree and retained his place throughout the country's historic journey to a first-ever World Cup appearance. His selection also reflects the growing competitiveness of the Malaysian Super League, with Jordan continuing to place its trust in a player competing domestically in Malaysia and across regional competitions.

 

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Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu/Curaçao)

Kastaneer's move to Terengganu in January 2026 did little to affect his standing with Curaçao. The forward played his part as the Caribbean nation secured a historic first World Cup qualification and now heads to the tournament with nine goals in 28 international appearances.

 

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Rebin Sulaka (Port FC/Iraq)

Sulaka appeared to have fallen out of Iraq's plans after spending much of the past year away from the national team setup. However, an outstanding campaign with Port FC helped force his way back into contention. The veteran defender played a key role as the club finished second in Thai League 1, secured AFC Champions League Elite qualification and lifted the Thai League Cup.

 

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Frans Putros (Persib Bandung/Iraq)

Despite limited involvement during Iraq's qualification campaign, Putros did enough to earn a place in the final squad. The Danish-born defender arrives at the World Cup after helping Persib win the 2025/26 league title in Indonesia.

 

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Missed out: Alvin Fortes (Selangor/Cape Verde)

Fortes looked well placed to challenge for a World Cup berth after scoring 13 goals in 40 appearances for Selangor and helping the club reach the ASEAN Club Championship final. He also returned to the Cape Verde national team setup in March 2025 but ultimately missed out on a place in the final squad.

 

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Missed out: Yuran Fernandes (PSM Makassar/Cape Verde)

Fernandes entered the conversation after making his Cape Verde debut in 2025 and later earning another call-up for a fixture against Egypt. However, the experienced centre-back was unable to secure one of the final places on the plane to North America.

 

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Missed out: Kingsley Schindler (Buriram United/Ghana)

Schindler was another outsider who harboured hopes of a World Cup call-up after joining Buriram United on a free transfer from Turkish side Samsunspor. Although not registered for Thai League 1 action, the winger was instrumental in the club’s Thai FA Cup and ASEAN Club Championship success, including scoring an important goal against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the latter’s semi-finals.

 

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Seven teenage singles players are direct entrants to Wimbledon 2026, highlighting a new generation already making its mark on the professional game. The women’s singles draw accounts for five of them, led by world number eight Mirra Andreeva. Still only 19, the Russian has already established herself among the sport’s elite and arrives at the All England Club as one of the players capable of challenging the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek. Joining her is fellow top-10 player Victoria Mboko, whose rapid rise over the past year has made the Canadian one of the breakout stars of the 2026 WTA Tour. American teenager Iva Jovic, who was a girls’ doubles winner at Wimbledon in 2024, earns her first direct entry after previously reaching the singles main draw through qualifying last year. Czech prospect Tereza Valentova and Austria’s Lilli Tagger complete the women’s contingent, with both set to make their Wimbledon main-draw debuts after impressive climbs up the rankings. The men’s draw features only two teenage direct entrants looking to dislodge the likes of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. Brazil’s João Fonseca returns after reaching the third round on his Wimbledon debut last year, a breakthrough run that has enhanced his reputation as one of the ATP Tour’s brightest young talents. As for Spain’s Rafael Jodar, he arrives in London on the back of his maiden ATP Tour title at the Grand Prix Hassan II earlier this season, continuing his rapid rise up the rankings. While established stars remain the favourites for the titles, the presence of seven teenagers in the SW19 main draw offers another glimpse into the sport’s future.

 

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MotoGP heads to Mugello this weekend with replacement riders once again thrust into the spotlight. Injuries to Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco have forced changes at Gresini Racing and LCR Honda, with Michele Pirro and Cal Crutchlow set to deputising for them at the Italian Grand Prix.

 

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While stand-in riders are a regular feature in MotoGP, strong results are rare in the modern era. Yet throughout the championship’s history, several riders have produced performances far beyond expectations, with some even fighting for victories and podiums against full-time stars. Here are some of MotoGP’s most memorable wildcard and replacement appearances.

Troy Bayliss

Bayliss produced what many still consider the greatest replacement appearance in MotoGP history at Valencia in 2006. Drafted in by Ducati after Sete Gibernau’s injury, the Australian arrived from the Superbike World Championship and adapted immediately to the Desmosedici. After qualifying second, Bayliss stunned the field by defeating Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Loris Capirossi to claim his first and only MotoGP victory.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga

Despite having minimal MotoGP race experience outside testing duties, Nakasuga was called up by Yamaha to replace the injured Ben Spies at Valencia in 2012. In difficult mixed conditions, the Japanese rider kept his composure while several established names crashed out, eventually finishing second behind Dani Pedrosa in one of Yamaha’s most unexpected podiums.

Olivier Jacque

Without a full-time MotoGP ride after 2003, Jacque returned to the grid as Kawasaki’s replacement for the injured Alex Hofmann at the rain-hit 2005 Chinese Grand Prix. The Frenchman capitalised brilliantly on the chaotic conditions to finish second behind Valentino Rossi, securing one of Kawasaki’s most unexpected podiums.

Akira Ryo

The Suzuki wildcard came close to delivering one of MotoGP’s biggest shocks at Suzuka in 2002. The Japanese test rider ran near the front throughout the race and eventually finished second to Valentino Rossi, marking what would become his only MotoGP podium appearance.

 

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Shinichi Ito

At 36 years old, Ito returned as a Honda wildcard at Suzuka in 2002 after spending three years away from premier-class competition. Despite the lack of recent race mileage, the experienced Japanese rider qualified third and finished fourth against a field stacked with full-time factory stars.

Ben Spies

Before joining MotoGP full-time in 2010, Spies quickly built a reputation during several substitute and wildcard outings for Suzuki and Yamaha. The American scored points in all four appearances, including an impressive sixth-place finish at the rain-shortened Indianapolis Grand Prix in 2008 and seventh at Valencia the following year.

 

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Michele Pirro

Few riders have become more synonymous with wildcard and substitute appearances than Pirro. Since becoming Ducati’s official test rider in 2013, the Italian has regularly stepped in for injured riders while also leading Ducati’s extensive development programme. Although he never reached the podium, Pirro recorded several standout finishes, including fourth at Valencia in 2018.

 

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Alvaro Bautista

Already racing full-time in MotoGP with Angel Nieto Team at that time, Bautista stepped into the factory Ducati squad at Phillip Island in 2018 as Jorge Lorenzo’s replacement. Despite struggling in qualifying, the Spaniard delivered an outstanding recovery ride to finish fourth.

Dani Pedrosa

Since retiring from full-time MotoGP competition at the end of 2018, Pedrosa has remained closely involved through KTM’s development programme. His occasional wildcard appearances have repeatedly shown that his speed has never disappeared despite years away from full-time racing as he memorably qualified on the second row and finished fourth at Misano in 2023, and secured third place in the Jerez sprint race a year later.

 

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to showcase the sport’s next generation of stars, but several players in their 40s are still competing at the highest international level. When the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, these veteran names will not just be making up the numbers. From experienced goalkeepers to former Ballon d’Or winners, each is still expected to play an important role for their respective countries on football’s biggest stage.

Yuto Nagatomo (39)

Perhaps surprisingly, Nagatomo was called up by Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu despite his limited involvement with the national team in recent years. The FC Tokyo defender was visibly moved to tears upon learning he would represent Japan at a fifth World Cup, setting a new record for an Asian footballer. Turning 40 in September, the 144-capped veteran is also five years older than the next oldest player in the squad, Shogo Taniguchi, underlining the remarkable longevity of the former Inter Milan full-back.

 

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Fernando Muslera (39)

Although Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa has yet to officially confirm his final squad, Muslera is widely expected to be included for what would be his fifth World Cup involvement. Despite initially retiring from international duty in 2024, the Estudiantes goalkeeper returned to the national team for friendlies against England and Algeria in March 2026, signalling that Bielsa still values his experience despite the emergence of younger options.

 

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Vozinha (40)

Despite turning 40, the GD Chaves goalkeeper is the expected starting goalkeeper for Cape Verde ahead of 29-year-old Marcio Rosa and 25-year-old CJ dos Santos as the Blue Sharks make their World Cup debut.

Manuel Neuer (40)

Although he initially retired from international duty after EURO 2024, Neuer reversed his decision to return for a fifth World Cup with Germany. While injuries have disrupted the latter stages of his career, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is still expected to trust the Bayern Munich goalkeeper ahead of Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel when the tournament begins, relying on his leadership and elite ball-playing ability.

 

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Edin Dzeko (40)

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s all-time leading scorer arrives at the World Cup after helping Schalke secure promotion back to the Bundesliga, further extending a career that has remained productive deep into his 40s. Despite his age, the German club are reportedly keen to extend his contract beyond June, highlighting how valuable the veteran striker still remains at both club and international level.

 

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Luka Modric (40)

Modric continues to orchestrate Croatia’s midfield at 40 while balancing international duty with the closing stages of his club career at AC Milan. However, reports have suggested the former Ballon d’Or winner could bring the curtain down on his illustrious playing career after the World Cup, potentially marking the final chapter for one of Croatia’s greatest-ever footballers.

 

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Guillermo Ochoa (40)

If he makes Mexico’s final squad on June 1, Ochoa will join Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among the few players to appear at six different World Cups. The AEL Limassol goalkeeper, who turns 41 during the tournament, has built a reputation as a World Cup specialist over the years, repeatedly producing standout performances on football’s biggest stage.

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo (41)

Ronaldo will become one of the oldest outfield players in World Cup history at 41 as he prepares for his sixth appearance at the tournament. Fresh from leading Al Nassr to Saudi Pro League glory, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still expected to spearhead Portugal’s attack, especially after scoring eight goals in nine international appearances in 2025.

 

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Craig Gordon (43)

If Gordon features during the tournament, the Scotland goalkeeper will become the second oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, surpassing Colombia’s Faryd Mondragon, who played at 43 years and three days in 2014. Only Egypt’s Essam El Hadary was older, having appeared against Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Cup aged 45 years and 161 days.

 

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