Young footballers set to shine at the 2026 World Cup
A new generation of international football talent is ready to make their mark at the 2026 World Cup. National teams from around the globe are turning to young stars who have impressed at club level and in youth tournaments. These rising players range from teenagers just breaking into senior football to slightly older prospects fulfilling their early promise. The tournament is expected to be a defining moment in their careers.
Match highlights
- Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast, aged 19, was named Bundesliga rookie of the season after joining RB Leipzig from Leganes and contributing 21 goals in 33 league games.
- Gilberto Mora from Mexico, aged 17, has been compared to Pedri and is attracting interest from major European clubs after his performances at the Under-20 World Cup.
- Ricardo Pepi of the United States scored 19 goals as PSV Eindhoven won the Dutch title and has 13 goals in 35 internationals.
- Gessime Yassine helped Morocco win the Under-20 World Cup and made his senior debut in a friendly against Ecuador.
- Luis Suarez from Colombia scored four goals in a World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela and added his fifth international goal in a recent friendly against Costa Rica.
