World Cup 2026: Five teenage talents to watch out for including Barcelona sensation and Man Utd transfer target

The 2026 World Cup is just some months away and all 48 groups have now been confirmed for the newly-expanded event to be held in america, Canada and Mexico.

Soccer’s greatest occasion persistently acts as the last word launchpad for kids to announce themselves on the worldwide stage. Pele in Sweden 1958, Lionel Messi in Germany 2006, James Rodriguez in Brazil 2014, Kylian Mbappe in Russia 2018, and Enzo Fernandez in Qatar 2022 to call just some.

Right here, Sports activities Mole checked out 5 teenage stars who will goal to observe of their footsteps at what can be their first World Cup this summer time.

It goes with out saying that Lamine Yamal would be the most high-profile teenage star on show at this summer time’s World Cup and he may have an enormous position to play in serving to pre-tournament favourites Spain win their first international prize since 2010.

Three years on from making his skilled debut, the Barcelona sensation has already amassed 146 appearances at membership degree, scoring 46 objectives and registering 50 assists, whereas he has additionally chipped in with six objectives in 25 nationwide staff outings for Spain.

A technically elite, left-footed winger who continues to strike worry within the eyes of defenders, Yamal will flip 19 on July 13, simply six days earlier than the World Cup closing, and he can be aiming to turn out to be the primary participant to win each the Euros and World Cup earlier than their twentieth birthday.

Yan Diomande has loved an excellent breakout season with RB Leipzig and the World Cup represents the proper alternative for him to point out precisely why a plethora of the largest golf equipment, together with Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona, are chasing his signature this summer time.

The 19-year-old made his skilled debut with Leganes in March 2025 earlier than becoming a member of Leipzig for round €20m, and the skillful, ball-carrying winger has since blossomed into one of many Bundesliga’s brightest stars, recording 10 objectives and 7 assists in 26 league video games this time period.

Now valued at a staggering €100m, Diomande was unable to showcase his expertise throughout March’s worldwide break because of damage. Nonetheless, he was a key determine for Ivory Coast on the Africa Cup of Nations en path to the quarter-finals, whereas he scored twice in as many World Cup qualifiers to assist his nation attain the Finals for the primary time in 12 years.

If Neymar just isn’t match to offer the Samba spirit for Brazil on the World Cup, then Estevao Willian may very well be the person to gentle up the 2026 event for Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect, alongside senior stars together with Vinicius Junior and Raphinha.

The versatile Chelsea starlet, who turns 19 later this month, was already a Brazil worldwide earlier than arriving from Palmeiras final summer time and he has since established himself as a gifted belongings for membership and nation, somebody who thrives at creating attacking alternatives with aptitude and velocity.

After serving to Chelsea win the FIFA Membership World Cup in america final summer time, Estevao has since contributed to 10 objectives (seven objectives, three assists) in 33 video games for the Blues this time period, whereas he has discovered the web 5 occasions in his final six senior outings for Brazil, beginning 4 of these.

“Of all of the younger gamers we’ve known as up over time, he’s made the perfect impression”. These have been the phrases of Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann on Bayern Munich ace Lennart Karl following March’s worldwide break.

Snug working as an attacking midfielder or a winger, Karl was rewarded together with his first two senior Germany caps in friendlies towards Switzerland and Ghana after making a notable impression in a breakout season from Vincent Kompany’s treble-chasing Bayern outfit.

Identified for his explosive dribbling, low centre of gravity and clever play in tight areas, Karl has scored eight objectives and supplied six assists in 35 appearances for Bayern to date this season, and he may show to be a difference-maker in particular situations for the four-time world champions this summer time.

Gilberto Mora | 17 | Mexico & Membership Tijuana

Co-hosts Mexico have unearthed a generational expertise in Gilberto Mora, who surpassed each Yamal and Brazil icon Pele to turn out to be the youngest participant ever to carry a serious senior worldwide trophy, aged 16 years and 265 days.

The 5ft 6in playmaker was a revelation throughout El Tri’s 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph final summer time, beginning within the quarter-finals, semi-finals and closing. He supplied the match-winning help for Raul Jimenez within the semi-final towards Honduras, earlier than serving to Mexico overcome USA 2-1 within the showpiece.

With 49 senior appearances and 9 objectives for Membership Tijuana, Mora has already caught the eye of Europe’s elite golf equipment, together with Actual Madrid and Barcelona. After a short damage spell initially of this 12 months, {the teenager} is hoping to play a starring position for Mexico on the World Cup.

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