As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ draws closer, we are spotlighting some youngsters seemingly set to illuminate the beautiful game’s greatest tournament.
Warren Zaire-Emery
Date of birth: 08.03.2006
Teams: France & Paris Saint-Germain
International debut: 18 November 2023 vs Gibraltar (aged 17)
Position: Central midfielder/right-back
Standout skills: Endurance, power, reading of the game and passing
Why Zaire-Emery could be a World Cup sensation
After one glance at his glittering CV, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Paris Saint-Germain prodigy was entering the twilight of his career. However, believe it or not, the dynamic dynamo only turned 20 just over two months ago. During his meteoric rise, he has sent a raft of age-related records tumbling and has racked up trophies like they’re going out of fashion.
Indeed, he has captured no fewer than 12 titles, including a coveted UEFA Champions League crown in 2025 with his boyhood club. He was also part of the Rouge et Bleu squad that garnered global glory at last year’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup™, and there is a very distinct possibility that he will soon have to create some more room in his bursting trophy cabinet. The Parisian powerhouses could claim honours in Europe’s elite club competition for a second successive season in Saturday’s Champions League final against Arsenal.
During the current campaign, the box-to-box baller has clocked up a slew of minutes in Luis Enrique’s star-studded squad, having chalked up nearly 4,200 minutes across all competitions. The versatile virtuoso has featured in more than 50 of the capital club’s encounters, earning rave reviews as an engine-room orchestrator or at right-back.
The PSG playmaker’s chameleon-like qualities and admirable work ethic, along with an ability to deliver on any stage, convinced Didier Deschamps to hand him his senior international debut at the tender age of 17 and eight months in November 2023. The fledgling fulcrum became the youngest player to line up for Les Bleus since 1914, as the free-flowing French dealt Gibraltar a serious dose of the blues in a 14-0 pummelling in UEFA EURO qualifying action.
What’s more, by nonchalantly flicking home Kingsley Coman’s centre to put the hosts three goals to the good on that night, the rising star became his country’s second-youngest goalscorer, behind Maurice Gastiger, who netted at the age of 17 years and four months back in 1914.
Named in the French squad for EURO 2024, Zaire-Emery failed to feature in any of the team’s six outings on German soil, with the embarrassment of riches in the middle of the park leaving the Parisian prospect kicking his heels on the bench. Ahead of the upcoming World Cup, the string-puller did his chances of securing a starting spot in France’s group-stage curtain-raiser against Senegal no harm at all by producing an eye-catching display as the European juggernauts cruised past Colombia in a 3-1 friendly triumph on US turf at the end of March.
The showstopping starlet now harbours ambitions of taking centre stage at the North American bonanza in what promises to be a first World Cup campaign of many.
Zaire-Emery’s magic moments
Enjoy highlights of the skill and spectacular goals that have made the France & PSG star one of the World Cup 2026’s players to watch.
What’s been said about Zaire-Emery
“He’s a fascinating case. There’s already a real maturity about him, and he plays with such character.”
France team-mate Kylian Mbappe
“We’re so fortunate to have a player like him. He’s able to play anywhere. He’s got great technical and physical attributes. He’s a dream to coach.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique
“Some players reach maturity at 18, while some only mature at 30. He’s got everything he needs to reach the very top. There’s stiff competition for places in his position, but at club level, he’s shown enormous potential for such a young player.”
France coach Didier Deschamps
“During pre-season, I had a list of youngsters we were keen to run the rule over. Warren soon bedded in, and my coaching staff and I said to ourselves: ‘Bloody hell (sic), this lad’s only 16, but he’s got the assurance of a player who’s already made 200 or 250 appearances. Nothing fazes him. He’s a one of a kind.”
Former PSG coach Christophe Galtier
