UEFA qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ returns this week, with all 54 teams in action for the first time following the conclusion of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. Here, we look at six youngsters worth monitoring as some groups begin and others motor on towards the North American showpiece.
Mika Biereth
Denmark and Monaco
Striker
22
Few players on the continent could hold a candle to the goalscoring brilliance of Biereth during the second half of 2024/25. The Dane, who joined Monaco after a goal-laden spell with Sturm Graz, scored three hat-tricks in his first seven Ligue 1 matches, and would eventually finish the campaign 10th in the scoring charts with 13 goals and two assists from just 16 outings.
The 22-year-old excels in build-up where he can use his strength and passing ability to link moves together. Once inside the area, his composure belies his tender years and he’s shown a capacity to score all kinds of goals, as evidenced by the header he planted home against Lithuania last time out to mark his first Denmark effort.
September fixtures
Denmark v Scotland, 5 September
Greece v Denmark, 8 September
Oscar Bobb
Norway and Manchester City
Winger
22
The current season was only 90 minutes old when Pep Guardiola admitted how much Manchester City “missed” Oscar Bobb last term, as a leg fracture sidelined him for almost the entirety of 2024/25. That virtuoso display against Wolves on the Premier League’s opening day helped the Citizens to a 4-0 win, with Bobb’s close control and agility proving impossible to handle.
Bobb made his long-awaited Norway return as a substitute in their June triumphs over Italy and Estonia, as Stale Solbakken’s side continued their perfect start to qualifying. Now able to call upon a fully-fit Bobb to a side who are already the continent’s top scorers with 13 and packed with attacking talent, few would bet against Norway making a first showpiece since France 1998.
September fixtures
Norway v Finland, 4 September (Friendly)
Norway v Moldova, 9 September
Giovanni Leoni
Italy and Liverpool
Centre-back
18
Elsewhere in Group I, Italy are looking to resurrect a difficult start to proceedings under new coach Gennaro Gattuso. One of the changes the Germany 2006 winner has made in his first squad is to hand a maiden call-up to new Liverpool defender Leoni, who has earned comparisons to Fabio Cannavaro and Andrea Barzagli during his fledgling career.
Strong in the tackle and a serious presence at 1.96m, the teenager uses his frame and aggression to get close to attackers in one-on-one duels, something which has impressed his new boss: “I saw him play against Romelu Lukaku last year: he would challenge him, maybe lose the duel, but then he would recover and continue fighting,” Gattuso said. “That is the sign of a player who is already ready.”
September fixtures
Italy v Estonia, 5 September
Israel v Italy, 8 September
Hakon Arnar Haraldsson
Iceland and Lille
Midfielder or winger
22
Few players have impressed more than Haraldsson during the early weeks of the Ligue 1 season, with the Lille ace netting twice and impressing with his all-round game as Les Dogues remain unbeaten. Possessing pace, strong dribbling ability and an eye for goal off both feet, the former Copenhagen man can play behind the striker or off either wing.
For the national team, Haraldsson has filled in a variety of positions but has mostly been deployed on the left flank since the appointment of Arnar Gunnlaugsson in January. With captain Orri Oskarsson missing due to injury, Haraldsson will take the armband and look to inspire his side as they eye a first World Cup berth since Russia 2018.
September fixtures
Iceland v Azerbaijan, 5 September
France v Iceland, 9 September
Jesus Rodriguez
Spain and Como
Winger
19
Just 12 months ago, Rodriguez was plying his trade in the Real Betis youth ranks. In October 2024, he made his senior debut in the Copa Del Rey, and by the end of the campaign he’d featured in 32 first-team matches and played in the UEFA Conference League final. That rise caught the eye of several European teams, with Como his eventual destination where he’s linked up with fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas.
Only three U23 players across Europe’s five major league have completed more dribbles than the teenager, while he used his expert dribbling and pace to set up Anastasios Douvikas in the Coppa Italia victory over South Tyrol. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has stated that now is the “right time” to bring Rodriguez into the fold, and he’ll no doubt be keen to prove him right.
September fixtures
Bulgaria v Spain, 4 September
Türkiye v Spain, 7 September
Nick Woltemade
Germany and Newcastle
Striker
23
Another player who has enjoyed a meteoric rise is German goal-getter Woltemade. After spending more than a decade with Werder Bremen, he moved on a free transfer to Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart last year. After a slow start, he quickly found his rhythm and netted 12 goals from his final 24 league matches, while also scoring five in as many DFB-Pokal matches as Die Roten won the cup. Those exploits caught the eye of Newcastle, who acquired him for a club-record fee.
At 1.98m, Woltemade is useful in the air and physically strong, but perhaps does his best work with the ball on the floor. Possessing good technical ability and balance, Woltemade can fend off opponents before bursting away from them and setting up team-mates. His unique profile and goalscoring record saw him receive his first Germany call-up in June, and one would imagine his maiden national-team strike won’t be far away.
September fixtures
Slovakia v Germany, 4 September
Germany v Northern Ireland, 4 September
