FULL LIST: 20 young stars to watch at 2026 World Cup

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be more than just a battle between established powers. It is also becoming a showcase for a new generation of international talent, young players and emerging stars who are stepping out of academy systems, breakthrough seasons, and youth tournaments and into football’s biggest spotlight. Across different continents, national teams are turning to fresh faces who have already begun to make an impression at club level. Some are teenagers who have only just broken into senior football, while others are slightly older prospects who are finally translating early promise into consistent performances. What unites them is the sense that this tournament could define the next stage of their careers. As reported by BBC Sport on Tuesday, these are the top 20 new players to watch at the 2026 World Cup scheduled to hold on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. 1: Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) Age: 19 Position: Winger Club: RB Leipzig Diomande has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich but Leipzig insist he is not for sale and reportedly value him at more than 130m euros (£112m) The winner of the Bundesliga rookie of the season award, Diomande only joined from Spanish side Leganes in July 2025 for a bargain 20m euros (£17.2m) and promptly registered 21 goal contributions (12 goals and nine assists) in 33 league appearances to help Leipzig qualify for the Champions League. 2. Gilberto Mora (Mexico) Age: 17 Position: Midfielder Club: Tijuana Mora was nicknamed ‘The Mexican Pedri’, ‘The Mexican Pearl’ and ‘Crackito’ (which translates to ‘Little Maestro’) by the Spanish press after he starred against Spain at last year’s Under-20 World Cup. He has been linked with a move to Europe and is reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid and Manchester City 3. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland) Age: 20 Position: Midfielder Club: SC Freiburg Manzambi wanted to be a goalkeeper when he was a boy and grew up idolising Germany legend Manuel Neuer. Where will he play for Switzerland this summer? Manzambi can play in various positions in midfield and is pretty good in the final third too. He carries the ball really well and I know the Swiss fans have got big hopes for him – Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has done an interview praising him as well. 4. Ricardo Pepi (United States) Age: 23 Position: Striker C