2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived. This time there will be 48 countries, 104 matches and 1000 storylines but nothing like the arrival of a new generation of players to declare their talents on the biggest stage of the sporting world. These are the players who watched the 2022 Qatar final as schoolboys and are now walking into the dressing rooms with Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe.Some will be confused. Some may freeze. All of them are worth watching. The list of youngsters who have achieved World Cup success is long and includes legends such as Pele, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Owen and Thomas Muller. The expanded format means more nations, more games, and more room for young talent to showcase their game. Here are 10 Under-21 players stepping on the World Cup stage for the first time.
Lamin yamel Spain, age 18, FC Barcelona
Yamal is the outstanding player of his generation, the best player in the world, regardless of age. The Barcelona starlet ended the 2025-26 season with an astonishing 24 goals and 18 assists in 48 appearances, helping Hansi Flick’s side retain the La Liga title. Starting on the right wing, he is more of a winger and Yamal’s close control of pace and timing of when to accelerate or pause is uncanny. Once he beats the first marker, the options are endless: a quick flick to the outside before thundering off his left foot, a disguised ball, a whipped cross, or that trademark diagonal run infield. A hamstring injury may delay his World Cup debut until Spain’s third group game against Uruguay, but when Yamal runs, the world will see a future superstar.
Arda Guler Turkey, age 21, Real Madrid
The Turkish magician has been a household name in international football for some time now, but this summer marks his first World Cup. The Real Madrid playmaker has provided an impressive 14 assists in the 2025-26 La Liga campaign. He is expected to operate as Turkey’s number 10, pushing far beyond his usual deep role at club level. Technically brilliant, gifted with remarkable touch and close control, Guler can open up a game in a flash. His 3.1 chances created per 90 minutes is an astonishing return for a player who has often operated deep in midfield. If Turkey is to live up to its perennial ‘dark horse’ tag, Guler is the man to step up and deliver.
Joao Neves, Portugal, age 21, PSG
Having won back-to-back UEFA Champions Leagues with PSG, João Neves arrives at his first World Cup as the most decorated 21-year-old in football history. The Portuguese midfielder has formed one of the most compelling midfield partnerships in Europe with Vitinha at PSG, providing ball-winning intensity, passing precision, and a remarkable ability to control the tempo of the game. Portugal’s Roberto Martinez will look to replicate that partnership at the World Cup, with Neves expected to start alongside his club-mate. In the sweltering North American heat, his fitness, youth and relentless energy could prove to be Portugal’s biggest weapon in the later rounds.
Desire Doue France, age 20, PSG
Another PSG star on the list, Doue announced himself on the world stage last year by scoring a brace against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final. The Frenchman has been a phenomenal contributor to PSG this season, scoring 32 goals in 61 appearances, contributing to their back-to-back Champions League victories. He scored 13 goals in all competitions in 2025–26. The designated left-back can perform in all roles up front, including as a false 9, while offering France another attacker who can turn a game in a flash. With a stacked attacking line-up that includes Kylian Mbappe and Dembele, Dou can be the super sub who can change the game at any moment.
Pau Cuberci, Spain, age 19, FC Barcelona
Not every hero will play with enthusiasm in this World Cup. Pau Cubarsí embodies a different kind of quality – a cold, composed authority behind a center that never flinches. At 18 years old, the Barcelona defender has already earned a reputation for reading the game like a veteran twice his age. His positional intelligence, aerial dominance and ability to get the ball out from the back made him a key figure in both Barcelona’s title-winning side and Spain’s defensive set-up. Spain, as defending European champions and genuine World Cup contenders, need their backline to stay strong in tough knockout games. And for that, Cubersi’s courage in tough moments will play a key role.
Warren Zaire Emery France, age 20, PSG
Some 20-year-olds arrive at the World Cup with that senior experience. With 182 competitive appearances for Paris Saint-Germain already, Warren Zaire-Emery has become a byword for reliability. A natural box-to-box No.8, he covers ground, wins duels, moves the ball forward and keeps the passing rhythm ticking, but has also shown himself capable of playing back when needed. His 5.47 recoveries per 90 minutes reflect a defensive efficiency that is rare for a midfielder of his age. For Didier Deschamps’ France side, Zaïre-Emery is valued for things he doesn’t do: make headlines, take unnecessary risks, or simply avoid a job.
Andric, Brazil, age 19, Real Madrid/Leon
The weight of Brazil’s soccer legacy rests on many shoulders, but none more so than that of Andric. The 19-year-old forward arrived at Real Madrid amid great fanfare, loaned himself to Lyon, where he rediscovered his best form and has now earned a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad. Brazilian legend Cafu himself named Andric the breakout star of the tournament. His World Cup debut will mark his first appearance at a FIFA tournament, arriving with two assists in 14 minutes on his Brazil debut against Croatia earlier this year. Unlikely to start, Anderic could be the deciding factor off the bench in a Brazil squad chasing their sixth world title.
Yan Diomande. Ivory Coast, age 18, RB Leipzig
Perhaps no story from the 2026 World Cup is more remarkable than that of Yann Diomonde. Just four years ago, this young man was playing high school football in Florida. Today, he is the €100 million-rated attacker in the Bundesliga, linked with Liverpool, PSG and Bayern Munich. A sensational debut season with RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, Diomande scored 12 goals and 10 assists and was named Rookie of the Year. A winger with a real edge to his game, Diomande relies on short bursts of pace, quick changes of direction and an insatiable appetite to take on defenders. Quick, tough and with a ruthless eye for goal, Diomande is arguably the tournament’s most exciting wild card and could pull off a James Rodriguez-style 2014 World Cup campaign in the 2026 edition.
Nico O’Reilly, England, age 21, Manchester City
In his breakout club season, the Manchester City full-back has been crowned the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season, after impressing in 34 appearances for City this term, England head coach Thomas Tuchel handed him a World Cup call-up despite missing out on big names like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. He scored both goals in the EFL Cup final against Arsenal, earning man of the match honors at Wembley. The left-back has nine goals and six assists this season. His versatility should also suit Thomas Tuchel’s preference for using tall full-backs to overload central areas, as Tuchel prefers to defend 3 men at the back.
Lennart Karl Germany, age 18, Bayern Munich
Karl’s impressive debut senior season at Bayern has already seen him score nine goals and eight assists for his club, while he played a key role in Bayern’s run to the semi-finals of the Champions League. His goal against Club Brugge in October made him the youngest Bayern player to score in the Champions League, aged 17 years and 242 days. At 18, he is the youngest call-up in Germany’s entire World Cup squad. In Germany’s pre-tournament win over Finland, Karl became the youngest player since records to play a direct role in a goal for the German national team in 2005. An XG of 0.53 per 90 minutes is indicative of his consistent attacking input and could play a decisive role off the bench for Germany in this campaign.There are a few other names who could also make a good impact in their first World Cup campaigns for their respective countries. Kenan Yildiz (Turkey), Luka Voskovic (Croatia), Ryan (Brazil), Kobe Mino (England), Ibrahim Amboy (Senegal), Nico Paz (Argentina), Gilberto Mora (Mexico, the youngest player in the entire tournament), Kendre Paez (Accurtori Holland). Irankunda (Australia) are some names. These U21 debutants have the potential to steal the show during the upcoming World Cup.
