5 Youngest Players at the 2026 World Cup – Including a Liverpool Target

The 2026 World Cup is now less than two weeks away. Nations’ squads are now all-but finalised – which international managers have taken a gamble on their country’s top wonderkids this year?

The World Cup has always been an excellent platform for young talents to announce themselves – who will this year’s top breakout stars?

Yan Diomande

Yan Diomande is a man in demand at the moment – the RB Leipzig superstar is firmly in the crosshairs of Liverpool, Manchester City and PSG ahead of the summer transfer window.

The oldest player on the list at 19 years of age (!), Diomande is also the only player to be over the age of 18 that we’ll be featuring today.

He has had an electric campaign in the Bundesliga this season. Having scored 12 goals and notching up nine assists, few players are entering the World Cup with as much momentum as the Ivory Coast ace.

Ibrahim Mbaye

Ibrahim Mbaye hasn’t been a key player for his club side this season – however, given the fact that he plays for PSG, one can certainly excuse this.

With a Sengalese father, a Moroccan mother and having been born in France, Mbaye was spoiled for choice as to who he wanted to represent – in the end, he opted to play for Senegal internationally, declaring his allegiance towards the Lions of Teranga in 2025.

A skilful winger, Mbaye has largely been restricted to appearances from the bench this season, but has nonetheless scored three goals and has registered a pair of assists in Ligue 1.

Ayyoub Bouaddi

The only defensive-minded player on our list, Ayyoub Bouaddi has shown an impressive level of maturity whilst operating as a central midfielder (and occasionally a right-back) for LOSC Lille this season.

Very composed both on and off the ball, Bouaddi’s fantastic passing and pinpoint tackling means he can turn defence into attack within a split second.

Furthermore, for such a young player, he has already shown some excellent physicality – he is very difficult to knock off the ball when in possession.

Lennart Karl

Lennart Karl has exploded onto the world scene for Bayern Munich this season. Despite only being 18 years of age, his skillset is frighteningly complete.

His first touch is amongst the best in the world right now. That’s not all – his ball-carrying ability, passing and finishing are also top-notch. It’s very, very difficult to identify a flaw in his game.

An attacking midfielder by trade, Karl can also function as a winger if needed. Germany’s squad is very strong this year – he may not play a major role for Die Mannschaft – but if he is given a chance, we expect him to take it.

Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal isn’t only the youngest player at this year’s World Cup – going by his performances for Barcelona over the past year, he might also be the very best.

Yamal needs no introduction. He is already one of football’s biggest stars, having La Liga and the Euros before he even turned 18 years of age.

Now that he is 18, Yamal is Spain’s star player. In a squad that also contains the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Fabian Ruiz, this is a serious honour.