The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to deliver more than the usual clash of football’s established giants. It will also provide a global stage for a new generation of talent eager to announce themselves at the highest level.
From Europe and Africa to the Americas and Asia, national teams are increasingly placing their trust in young players who have emerged from academy systems, excelled in breakthrough club campaigns, or impressed on the international youth stage.
For many of these prospects, the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, which kicks off on June 11, could become a defining moment in their careers.
According to a list compiled by BBC Sport, these are 20 emerging players and rising stars expected to attract attention during the 2026 World Cup.
1. Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
Age: 19
Position: Winger
Club: RB Leipzig
One of the most sought-after young talents in Europe, Diomande has reportedly attracted interest from Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. Despite the attention, Leipzig are said to value the winger at more than €130m (£112m) and have no intention of selling.
After arriving from Spanish side Leganes in July 2025 for €20m (£17.2m), Diomande enjoyed a remarkable debut season, registering 12 goals and nine assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances. His performances earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award and helped Leipzig secure Champions League qualification.
2. Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
Club: Tijuana
Mora has been labelled “The Mexican Pedri,” “The Mexican Pearl,” and “Crackito” — meaning “Little Maestro” — following his standout performances against Spain at the Under-20 World Cup. The teenager is already being linked with Europe’s elite, including Real Madrid and Manchester City.
3. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: SC Freiburg
Initially aspiring to become a goalkeeper and inspired by German legend Manuel Neuer, Manzambi has evolved into one of Switzerland’s brightest midfield prospects. Comfortable in multiple midfield roles, he is known for his ball-carrying ability and attacking influence. Swiss captain Granit Xhaka has publicly praised the youngster’s potential.
4. Ricardo Pepi (United States)
Age: 23
Position: Striker
Club: PSV Eindhoven
Pepi arrives at the World Cup after scoring 19 goals during PSV Eindhoven’s title-winning campaign, including six goals in his final five matches. He has also netted 13 times in 35 appearances for the United States, though his limited international minutes between late 2024 and early 2026 have raised eyebrows.
5. Nico Paz (Argentina)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Club: Como
As a creative left-footed playmaker, Paz has inevitably drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi. While still developing, the Argentine excels as a traditional No. 10 operating behind the striker and can also drift into wider attacking areas.
6. Gessime Yassine (Morocco)
Age: 20
Position: Right Winger
Club: Strasbourg
Yassine played a key role in Morocco’s Under-20 World Cup triumph under coach Mohammed Ouhabi. Since making his senior debut against Ecuador in March, he has featured regularly in Morocco’s preparations as he seeks a place in the squad that hopes to build on the country’s historic semi-final run in Qatar.
7. Lucas Herrington (Australia)
Age: 18
Position: Centre-Back
Club: Colorado Rapids
Herrington enters the tournament as the youngest player ever selected in an Australian World Cup squad. The Brisbane-born defender moved to the United States in January for a club-record fee and has impressed sufficiently in Major League Soccer to earn a place among the Socceroos.
8. Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Age: 18
Position: Winger
Club: Red Bull Salzburg
Despite his age, Alajbegovic has already demonstrated composure under pressure. He converted the decisive penalty in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s play-off victory over Wales and also scored during the shootout triumph against Italy that secured qualification.
9. Can Uzun (Turkey)
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Having chosen Turkey over Germany at international level, Uzun burst onto the Bundesliga scene with five goals and three assists in Frankfurt’s opening five league matches last season. Injuries interrupted his progress, but he remains one of Turkey’s most exciting attacking talents.
10. Armando Gonzalez (Mexico)
Age: 23
Position: Striker
Club: Chivas de Guadalajara
Known by the nickname “La Hormiga” (“The Ant”), Gonzalez scored 25 goals for Guadalajara last season. After earning his first international cap in November, he netted his maiden goal for Mexico in February and is already being compared to former national team star Javier Hernandez.
11. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Club: Lille
Bouaddi combines footballing talent with academic excellence. Currently pursuing a mathematics degree, he earned the nickname “Einstein” while representing France’s Under-21 side. The Lille midfielder made his senior debut shortly after turning 16 and already boasts Champions League and Europa League experience.
12. Houssem Aouar (Algeria)
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
Club: Al-Ittihad
After representing France once at senior level, Aouar switched allegiance to Algeria in 2023. The midfielder has rediscovered his best form, scoring 15 goals for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League and re-establishing himself as one of North Africa’s leading playmakers.
13. Alessandro Circati (Australia)
Age: 22
Position: Centre-Back
Club: Parma
Born in Italy before relocating to Australia as an infant, Circati has become one of the cornerstones of Australia’s defence. He made history last year by becoming the Socceroos’ youngest captain since 1981 and is expected to play a crucial role during the tournament.
14. Ali Jasim (Iraq)
Age: 22
Position: Left Winger
Club: Como (Loan: Al-Najma)
Jasim’s journey has taken him from Italy to the Netherlands and then Saudi Arabia, where he appears to have settled successfully. Iraq manager Graham Arnold has shown consistent faith in the winger, who could become a key figure in a challenging World Cup group.
15. Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)
Age: 26
Position: Striker/Winger
Club: Wolfsburg
Amoura finished as the leading scorer in Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign with 10 goals, edging Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. His versatility and attacking threat make him one of Algeria’s most important players heading into the tournament.
16. Luis Suarez (Colombia)
Age: 28
Position: Striker
Club: Sporting
Not to be confused with the Uruguayan legend, Colombia’s Luis Suarez has enjoyed a sensational rise. He announced himself internationally with four goals in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela and followed that up with another strike against Costa Rica. At club level, he successfully replaced Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting, delivering goals and assists in an impressive debut season.
17. Brian Gutierrez (Mexico)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Club: Chivas de Guadalajara
After joining Guadalajara from Chicago Fire in January, Gutierrez helped the club reach the Liga MX play-off semi-finals. His creativity and energy have already made him an important component of Mexico’s midfield setup in 2026.
18. Bazoumana Toure (Ivory Coast)
Age: 20
Position: Left Winger
Club: Hoffenheim
Nicknamed “The Hurricane” because of his explosive pace, Toure has reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United. Since joining Hoffenheim from Swedish side Hammarby, he has recorded 12 assists in 30 league appearances and impressed for Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.
19. Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Maza switched allegiance from Germany to Algeria in 2024 and has quickly emerged as one of the country’s most exciting prospects. Nicknamed “Mazadona” in tribute to Diego Maradona, the attacking midfielder is already drawing comparisons to Algerian star Riyad Mahrez.
20. Luka Vuskovic (Croatia)
Age: 19
Position: Centre-Back
Club: Tottenham Hotspur (Loan: Hamburg 2025-26)
Tottenham invested approximately £12m to secure Vuskovic’s services, and the defender’s reputation continued to grow during a productive loan spell at Hamburg. Alongside his defensive qualities, he contributed six goals and is expected to return to North London after the World Cup ready to compete for a place in Spurs’ first team.
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