FIFA World Cup 2026: Top 10 Young Football players to Keep an Eye on 

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is not far away. The whole world, especially the football lovers across the world, are not just focusing on the superstar we’ve known for years but also on the young talents who are quickly becoming the game’s future, and they are also receiving more attention as anticipation.

Previously 32 teams competed in this FIFA World Cup, but the competition now has 48 teams taking place across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and it is anticipated that this world cup will be a major platform for these youngsters to showcase their talent and potential and also a place to proof that they’re here to conquer for a long time.

FIFA World Cup 2026 : top 10 young football players under 23 who have the potential to dominate the tournament

Let’s look at top 10 promising young talents from top footballing nations:

1. Lamine Yamal – SPAIN: Lamine Yamal,17 year old Spanish wonderkid plays for the Spain national team and Barcelona,he is a left-footed attacker with exceptional passing and opportunity-creation skills who can play as a winger, especially on the right flank, center-forward, or attacking midfielder. Lamine was the youngest footballer to be nominated for Ballon d’Or and he also took home the Kopa Trophy, which is given to the world’s finest young player. He is one the best young football players across the world. Therefore, it is anticipated that he could be one of the tournament’s biggest stars by 2026.

2. Désiré Doué – France: Désiré Doué, a 19 year old youngster, who has rapidly developed into one of the best midfield players in European football. In his debut season in PSG, Doué played a pivotal role as the team won their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Doué played for his nation in the 2024 Olympic and he took home a silver medal. Doué is a rising french star and football lovers across the world will be keeping an eye on Doué in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World cup 2026 Cup.

3. Alejandro Garnacho – Argentina: Garnacho a 20 year old Argentine footballer plays for Argentina’s national team and also for Manchester United. Garnacho stands out as one of the best young football players in the world. In June 2023 Garnacho made his debut for Argentina’s senior team and he was a member of the winning squad of Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final. Garnacho brings Argentina’s left flank speed and unpredictability and he could be a key young player for Argentina’s squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

4. Florian Wirtz – Germany: German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz plays for both Germany and Liverpool.Wirtz was a standout in EURO 2024. Despite his ability to play wide as an inverted winger, Wirtz is a flexible offensive midfielder.Heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Wirtz’s individuality and intelligence makes him a crucial part of Germany’s offensive framework.

5. Warren Zaïre‑Emery – France: Warren Zaïre‑Emery is a 19 years old football player from France who plays midfield for both the France national team and Ligue 1 team Paris Saint-Germain. Zaïre-Emery comes with technical accuracy, strength, and intelligence and after making an appearance in France’s EURO 2024 team, he is anticipated to have even greater importance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 as Les Bleus moves on to their next generation. 

6. Ethan Nwaneri – England: Ethan Nwaneri is a professional footballer of England. This 18 year old English footballer plays for Arsenal and the England U21 national team as an attacking midfielder or winger. At the age of 15 years and 181 days, he became the youngest player to play in the English football league’s top division. Nwaneri’s dynamic strategy of creating enthusiasm makes him a great asset for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

7. Antonio Nusa – Norway: Antonio Nusa, a talented youngster from Norway and he plays for both the Norwegian national team and RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga. Nusa is equally efficient on both wings, in contrast to many wingers who have trouble switching flanks. It is said that Nusa is a formidable threat on the counterattack and this youngster is also known for his quick pace and straightforward style of play. 

8. Arda Güler – Turkey: Arda Güler who plays as attacking midfielder for Turkey national team and Real Madrid is regarded as one of the best young football players in the world. Güler is a very gifted player, who is a left footed attacking midfielder and can play as winger as well. As he is notable for his capacity to handle challenging circumstances in confined areas, it is expected that he is going to be a key player for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

9. João Neves – Portugal: Midfield dynamo João Neves is a portuguese youngster who plays for PSG and Portugal national team. Neves’s passing and tackling skills, quick reflexes, and close ball control is appreciable and Neves is a fast, agile, and technically talented central midfielder who has been hailed for his mature, highly developed mental abilities on the field since a young age. 

10. Endrick – Brazil: This 18-year-old Brazilian footballer is the next big thing in Brazil and he plays for Real Madrid in La Liga. In the last 57 years of Brazilian football history, Endrick became the youngest player to debut for Brazil national team. He has been compared to the great Brazilian forwards Ronaldo, Pelé, and Romário and this Brazilian youngster is regarded as one of Brazil’s top football talents with his left-footed forward with a terrific shot. 

World football is already reshaping as a result of this new generation of youthful talent, from Lamine Yamal’s historic achievements at the age of 17 to Endrick’s explosive football skills. These athletes are not only the future of world football, but also the present as we approach the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

These are the names to keep an eye on for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026!