Top 10 Young Footballers to Watch in 2026 World Cup
The World Cup is the biggest platform for young talents, Stars are always produced by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but it also frequently introduces players who go from “promising talent” to household names. Consider how supporters from all over the world first witnessed young players take the greatest platform and quickly become a part of football discussions everywhere.
10. Kenan Yildiz (Turkey) — Age 21
Turkey come to this tournament with two really exciting young attacking players in Guler and Yildiz and that’s a nice problem to have. Yildiz is a Juventus forward who’s developed steadily over the last couple of seasons, bringing creativity, directness and a sharp eye for goal. He’s the type of player that can play in between the lines and cause problems for organized defenses.”
Much will depend on whether Güler and Yildiz fire together if Turkey can do what they did at Euro 2016 or Euro 2020. If both of them arrive in North America at their best, Turkish fans will have a tournament to remember.
9. Aleksandar Pavlovic (Germany) — Age 21
Germany experienced a loss in midfield with Toni Kroos’s retirement, and finding a replacement with that level of composure and control for the long term is genuinely challenging. Currently, Pavlovic stands out as their most viable option. Having already secured a Bundesliga title as a midfielder for Bayern Munich, he offers a degree of intelligence and positional discipline that may go unnoticed during a match, but is certainly felt when it’s absent. He may not be a prolific scorer or produce highlight-reel plays, yet his importance to Germany’s overall performance is undeniable. At 21 years old, representing his country in a World Cup, he has the opportunity to establish himself on a global stage as one of the top young midfielders in the sport.
8. Nico Paz (Argentina) - Age 21
Nicolás Paz Martínez, commonly referred to as Nico Paz, is a 21-year-old attacking midfielder who is rapidly gaining recognition as one of Europe’s most promising young talents. Born on September 8, 2004, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, he currently dons the esteemed number 10 jersey for Como in Serie A, a responsibility he carries with remarkable composure. Even though Paz was born and grew up in Spain, he has always felt a deep connection to Argentina, his father’s homeland. After delivering a series of impressive performances at the club level and advancing through the youth international teams, he received his first call-up to the Argentina senior national team in October 2024. He made his debut on the 15th.
7. Jamal Musiala (Germany) — Age 23
By technical standards, Musiala is slightly older than the “young” age group – but he is 23 years old and he is an important member of the German national team as he enters his first full World Cup tournament. For those reasons, he is a part of this list. In the last multiple seasons, he has performed as a midfield player who focuses on attack. On the pitch he moves past defensive players in narrow areas and he develops opportunities for his team to score when success is unlikely.
And Germany has not been successful in a World Cup since 2014. Because of this history, the team experiences expectations for success during every competition. If Musiala is on the field, he is the person who makes the team difficult for opponents to anticipate. To have a player who is not easy to predict is a significant advantage during the elimination stages of a tournament.
6. Kobbie Mainoo (England) — Age 21
Some footballers come slowly, some seem to go straight through the door of history. Kobbie Mainoo very much falls into the latter group. Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester on 19 April 2005 to parents from Ghana, this composed and technically brilliant midfielder has already scripted moments into football folklore that most players spend a career chasing. His story is only just beginning at just 21 years old – and it already reads like something extraordinary.
With the 2026 World Cup looming in North American air, Kobbie Mainoo is on the cusp of something really big.
5. Pau Cubarsí (Spain) — Age 19
Centre-backs often don’t receive the same level of recognition at tournaments as forwards do, but Pau Cubarsí truly merits attention at this World Cup. At just 19 years old, he wears the iconic number 5 jersey at Barcelona, a number previously donned by legends like Carles Puyol and Sergio Busquets, and he has already secured a regular starting position for one of Europe’s elite clubs. This fact alone speaks volumes. He displays composure with the ball, possesses an impressive ability to read the game for someone so young, and tackles with a determination typically seen in seasoned defenders. Spain boasts the talent to advance deep into this tournament, and their defensive strength will play a crucial role. Cubarsí is a key component of that defense. Make sure to keep an eye on him, despite the flashiness of the attacking talents in that squad.
4. Arda Güler (Turkey) — Age 21
If you’re looking for a player at this tournament who could have a moment that gets remembered for decades, Arda Güler might be the one to watch. The attacking midfielder for Real Madrid has already achieved a few records: he is the youngest player to score in the European Championship and the youngest Real Madrid player to net a direct free-kick in the Champions League. At just 21, he is already amassing impressive milestones. This season, Güler has been pivotal for Madrid, leading the team in assists and creating more opportunities than any of his teammates in La Liga. There is a minor injury worry as the tournament approaches, but if he is healthy and Turkey can gain some momentum in the group stages, Güler could ignite something truly special.
3. Désiré Doué (France) — Age 20
France churns out attacking talent much like Germany excels in precision engineering, almost without pause. Désiré Doué is the latest addition to that lineage. The PSG winger is versatile in his positioning, possesses sharp acceleration, demonstrates sound decision-making in congested situations, and has the technical skill that makes him a threat even when his team struggles. He has already played a part in PSG’s Champions League efforts this season and has established himself in the France national team. What sets him apart is his mentality. He appears to remain unfazed during critical moments, which is quite unusual for someone just 20 years old. If France makes a deep run in this tournament, Doué will likely be a significant factor.
2. Joao Neves (Portugal) — Age 21
There exists a scenario in this World Cup where Joao Neves returns home recognized as the best young player who didn’t receive adequate appreciation. He has the potential to have a tournament like that. At PSG, he has developed a strong partnership with fellow countryman Vitinha in the midfield, and together they have been crucial to consecutive Champions League victories. Neves is the more hardworking of the duo, a player who diligently covers the field, retrieves the ball quickly, and distributes it effectively even under pressure. Portugal boasts a wealth of experienced talent surrounding him, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Cristiano Ronaldo, which sometimes overshadows the individual recognition Neves deserves. However, coaches and scouts have taken note of his abilities. He has already accumulated 23 caps, and Roberto Martínez has confidence in him.
1. Lamine Yamal (Spain) — Age 18
Let’s begin with the most obvious candidate. Lamine Yamal is currently the most discussed teenager in global football, and honestly, the attention is warranted. He concluded the La Liga season as one of its most impactful players, becoming the first player under the age of 20 in the 21st century to achieve double figures for both goals and assists in a single season, with a total of 16 goals and 11 assists. For someone who is just 18 years old, those figures are incredible. He experienced a hamstring injury scare in late April that kept him out of Barcelona’s crucial final matches, but he is reportedly making a good recovery and is largely expected to be ready for Spain’s first game. If he can maintain his health, this tournament seems perfectly suited for him. Read More
