Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide a simple answer.

With one trade, you can gain exposure to a diversified basket of shares, reducing the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket.

But where to start? Here are three ASX ETFs that could be excellent building blocks for new investors in 2026 and beyond.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF is a popular option and for good reason. It gives investors exposure to 500 of the largest listed stocks in the United States. These include global giants like Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Walmart (NYSE: WMT).

The US market has been a long-term powerhouse for wealth creation, and many of the businesses in the iShares S&P 500 ETF are global leaders in their industries. For beginners, this ASX ETF provides a low-cost, convenient way to tap into US growth without needing to pick individual stocks.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

For investors wanting global reach beyond the US, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF is a strong choice. This ASX ETF holds more than 1,200 stocks across developed markets, giving you exposure to European, Japanese, and Canadian stocks alongside US names.

Current holdings include Nestle (SWX: NESN), HSBC (LSE: HSBA), SAP SE (FRA: SAP), Toyota Motor Corporation (TYO: 7203), and Royal Bank of Canada (TSX: RY). By spreading your holdings across multiple regions, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF helps smooth out the risks of being tied to any single market and offers instant global diversification.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

The Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF could be another great option for beginners. It focuses on quality rather than quantity. It invests in around 150 global stocks that score highly on measures like profitability, strong balance sheets, and earnings stability.

Holdings include names like payments giant Mastercard (NYSE: MA), design leader Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), luxury products owner Hermes International, and sleep disorder treatment company ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD). These businesses tend to be more resilient through economic cycles, which can give new investors confidence that they are buying into companies with long-term staying power.

This fund was recently named as one to consider buying by the team at Betashares.

The post The best ASX ETFs for new investors in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.