From Pele’s Swedish adventure, to Lionel Messi’s German opener, the FIFA World Cup™ has often proved fertile ground for teenagers to announce themselves to the world.
Here, we’ve looked at ten teen stars who will hope to follow in their footsteps and alight at their debut finals later this year.
Luke Brooke-Smith
New Zealand
The All Whites are heading back to the global finals for the first time in 16 years, and are spearheaded by a host of experienced players.
In among them, though, is exciting attacker Brooke-Smith, with the 17-year-old making his New Zealand debut versus Australia last September. The Wellington Phoenix man, who played for the national side at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™, is quick and a talented dribbler, and could be the perfect wildcard option for coach Darren Bazeley.
Pau Cubarsi
Spain
It’s taken just two years for centre-back to Cubarsi to develop from a Barcelona newbie to one of Europe’s finest defenders and a mainstay for both club and country.
The 18-year-old is, unsurprisingly, incredibly talented on the ball, while his reading of the game belies his tender years. He’s already starred in an Olympic gold medal victory, and will hope to sit atop another podium in North America.
Yan Diomande
Côte d’Ivoire
It’s been a whirlwind year for Ivorian forward Diomande. He made his Leganes debut in March 2025, and impressed enough to earn a move to RB Leipzig in July, where the 19-year-old has exploded.
He’s claimed 11 goal involvements in 16 matches at the time of writing, including a hat-trick against Frankfurt last month. That form earned him a maiden call-up to the Côte d’Ivoire senior side where he helped them reach a first World Cup in 12 years, and make the last eight at the AFCON.
Estevao
Brazil
The previous 18 months have seen Estevao develop into a household name, with the winger already a fully-fledged Brazilian international who has impressed on the European and global stage.
After dazzling for Palmeiras at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup™, the 18-year-old made his much-anticipated move to Chelsea which had been agreed a year earlier. Since arriving in West London, he has contributed to seven goals in 26 matches at the time of writing, and has scored four goals across the last two Brazil camps.
Lennart Karl
Germany
This 17-year-old sensation only made his Bayern Munich debut at the Club World Cup in the 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City, but has already made himself an indispensable member of the Bavarians’ frontline.
Karl is blessed with flair, quick feet and an eye for goal and can operate as both an attacking midfielder or off the right. While he is yet to receive a senior Germany call-up, his exceptional form could prove too hard to ignore for Julian Nagelsmann.
Franco Mastantuono
Argentina
Given the strength of Real Madrid’s forward options, many believed Mastantuono’s debut La Liga season could be one of transition. Instead, the 18-year-old has made himself a key cog of the Madrid set-up.
Before suffering an injury in early November, he had played in all-but two of Los Blancos’ league matches, netting his first league goal in a 4-1 win over Levante. The wide man, who made his Argentina bow in the 1-0 World Cup 2026 qualifying win over Chile last June, now has three caps to his name and is well placed to help Lionel Scaloni’s side defend their title.
Gilberto Mora
Mexico
Composed on the ball, adept at linking play and gifted with an eye for goal, it’s easy to see why midfield ace Mora has turned heads both domestically and on the international stage.
After breaking through with Club Tijuana at 15, Mora soon made his Mexico debut and became the youngest player to win a senior international tournament when El Tri lifted the Gold Cup last July. Another stellar display at that year’s U-20 World Cup further has whetted the appetite of expectant Mexico fans who rightfully believe they could have a superstar on their hands.
Ibrahim Mbaye
Senegal
By scoring in Senegal’s last-16 win over Sudan at the AFCON earlier this month, Mbaye became the final’s youngest goal-getter this century, and the youngest in Senegal’s tournament history. Those milestones are just the latest nod to the winger’s immense potential.
The Paris Saint-Germain star boasts exceptional dribbling and one-on-one ability, while his creativity was best evidenced by the brace of assists he picked up in PSG’s 3-2 win over Metz last month. With Sadio Mane turning 34 in April, Mbaye seems set to be the heir to his throne.
Kendry Paez
Ecuador
Diminutive playmaker Paez has long been considered the next big thing to come out of Ecuadorian football, and his early La Tri career has done little to diminish that billing.
Capped 23 times already, Paez dazzled during qualifying for these finals and, by scoring against Bolivia in October 2023, became the youngest South American player to net in a World Cup preliminary aged just 16. On the books of Chelsea, he’s impressed on loan at French outfit Strasburg and will be keen to take that into the global finals.
Ryunosuke Sato
Japan
Japan’s squad is stacked with exciting options playing right across the globe. The development over the previous 12 months of FC Tokyo starlet Sato means the 19-year-old has forced his way into that reckoning.
A versatile threat capable of operating in multiple roles, he spent last season on loan at fellow J1 side Fagiano Okayama, featuring predominantly as a wing-back, where he played a key role in helping the newly promoted side finish in mid-table. He netted six goals from 28 games and won plenty of praise for his strong dribbling and confidence to play off both feet.
Lamine Yamal
Spain
After spending the previous two-and-a-half years terrifying full-backs across Europe and bringing the Barcelona and Spain faithfuls to their feet, it’s easy to forget that superstar winger Yamal is still just 18.
He won’t celebrate his next birthday until 13 July – six days before the World Cup 2026 final. The preternatural teen will doubtless have that date circled in his calendar, as he looks to become the first player to win both the UEFA EURO and World Cup before their 20th birthday.
