In only a day, the 2026 World Cup will kick off in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Operating from June 11 to July 19, the expanded event will characteristic the world’s greatest nationwide groups and, as at all times, it can additionally function a world stage for the sport’s subsequent technology.
Among the many gamers on the showpiece, there are a number of younger gamers tipped not solely to impress in 2026, however to form worldwide soccer for years to return.
On this article, Instances Sport takes a take a look at a few of them:
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal is among the many main favourites for the Greatest Younger Participant award.
The 18-year-old winger performed a key position in Barcelona’s Spanish league triumph and was named Spanish Participant of the 12 months for the 2025/26 season.
Already a record-breaker, Yamal made historical past at Euro 2024 because the youngest participant to play, rating, and win the event.
On the World Cup, he’s anticipated to characteristic alongside fellow teenage defender Pau Cubarsí, as Spain look to mix youth with expertise on the most important stage.
Yan Diomandé (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast ahead Yan Diomandé will make his World Cup debut at simply 19 years and 209 days.
Presently taking part in for RB Leipzig, Diomandé has scored three targets in his final 9 worldwide appearances and is thought to be one in all Africa’s most fun younger forwards.
Arda Güler (Turkey)
Turkey’s artistic midfielder Arda Güler, 21, arrives on the World Cup filled with confidence after a formidable Euro 2024 marketing campaign.
Güler lately declared that he has “no worry of any workforce” on the event. He’s anticipated to be central to Turkey’s ambitions, alongside Juventus ahead Kenan Yıldız.
Nico O’Reilly (England)
Manchester Metropolis defender Nico O’Reilly has emerged as one in all England’s most dependable younger gamers.
The versatile 21-year-old, who also can function in midfield, made 55 appearances this season, scoring 9 targets and offering six assists.
Nico Paz (Argentina)
Argentina midfielder Nico Paz, 21, is seen as one of many gamers able to easing the eventual transition from Lionel Messi, who at 38 is predicted to be taking part in his closing World Cup.
Taking part in for Como 1907 in Italy, Paz loved an impressive 2025/26 season, scoring 12 targets and registering seven assists because the membership secured an unlikely UEFA Champions League qualification.
Rayan (Brazil)
Brazilian midfielder Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha, 19, earned his World Cup call-up below Carlo Ancelotti following an damage to Chelsea star Willian Estêvão.
Now with Bournemouth, Rayan scored 5 targets and supplied two assists in 15 appearances, serving to the membership qualify for the UEFA Europa League for the primary time of their historical past.
