{"id":35442,"date":"2026-06-03T11:15:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T11:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/5-promising-teenagers-who-could-play-at-the-world-cup\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T11:15:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T11:15:26","slug":"5-promising-teenagers-who-could-play-at-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/5-promising-teenagers-who-could-play-at-the-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"5 promising teenagers who could play at the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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MADRID (AP) – Several famous teenagers had their breakthrough moments at the World Cup, including Pele, who went on to become one of soccer’s all-time greats.<\/p>\n
Pele was 17 when he led Brazil to the World Cup in 1958. Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 was 19 when he led France to World Cup victory in 2018, cementing his superstar status. Twenty years ago, England’s Michael Owen came of age as an 18-year-old at the 1998 World Cup in France.<\/p>\n
According to the official roster of 48 teams published by FIFA, 22 teenagers will take part in the 2026 tournament. <\/p>\n
Several of them have already established themselves at Europe’s top clubs, including 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and 19-year-old Pau Kvarci, Spaniards who have been at Barcelona for some time. German 18-year-old Lennart Karl has just enjoyed a breakthrough season with Bayern Munich. <\/p>\n
Other established players are over 19 years old but will be making their first World Cup appearances. Among them are 20-year-old Warren Zaire Emery and 21-year-old Desiree Douai. They are French internationals who were regulars at Paris Saint-Germain, two-time Champions League winners. <\/p>\n
Other 21-year-olds who have been active for a while but could make their debut at this tournament include Manchester City’s England international Nico O’Reilly and Real Madrid’s Turkey international Arda G\u00fcler. Nico Paz, also 21, played for Como in the Italian league before joining Argentina’s World Cup squad and helping the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time.<\/p>\n
Here are five promising teenagers who could deliver breakthrough performances at soccer showcase events.<\/p>\n
Gilberto Mora<\/h2>\n
One of Mexico’s most promising players in recent years, Mora could become the youngest Mexican player to play in a World Cup at the age of 17. He is the youngest player on the roster of the 48 teams participating in this year’s tournament.<\/p>\n
The midfielder is making waves in Liga MX with Tijuana. He was a starter on the Mexican team that won the Gold Cup in 2025.<\/p>\n
In August 2024, at the age of 15, he became the youngest player to start and score in the Mexican First Division. In January 2025, he made his debut for the Mexican national team at the age of 16.<\/p>\n
Top clubs reportedly scouting the teenager include Real Madrid, Barcelona and several Premier League teams.<\/p>\n
Yann Diomand<\/h2>\n
The 19-year-old winger will represent Ivory Coast at the World Cup after impressing with Leipzig in the German league.<\/p>\n
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FILE – Yan Diomande (left) of Ivory Coast and Issa Kabore of Burkina Faso challenge during the African Cup of Nations soccer last-16 match between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Marrakech, Morocco on January 6, 2026. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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FILE – Yan Diomande (left) of Ivory Coast and Issa Kabore of Burkina Faso challenge during the African Cup of Nations soccer last-16 match between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Marrakech, Morocco on January 6, 2026. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe, File)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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He immigrated to the United States at an early age and excelled while playing high school soccer in Florida. Diomande had trials with Major League Soccer teams Colorado and Charlotte, but ultimately ended up joining Spanish club Leganes in 2024.<\/p>\n
It didn’t take long for Leipzig to sign the promising star last year. Last year, he made his debut with the national team and participated in the African Cup of Nations. <\/p>\n
endrik<\/h2>\n
The 19-year-old striker will get his chance to shine in Brazil after finishing the season well with Lyon in the French league.<\/p>\n
Endrik played for Brazilian club Palmeiras before moving to Real Madrid as Brazil’s next top prospect. He got off to a tough start with the Spanish powerhouse and was loaned to Lyon, where he flourished last season.<\/p>\n
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Brazil’s Endrick controls the ball during a friendly soccer match against Panama on Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo\/Silvia Izquierdo, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Brazil’s Endrick controls the ball during a friendly soccer match against Panama on Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo\/Silvia Izquierdo, File)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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That was enough for new Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti to include him in his World Cup squad. There he will compete with the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and 19-year-old Ryan, another up-and-coming teenager who impressed for Bournemouth in his first season in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim Mbaye<\/h2>\n
Mbaye, 18, became Senegal’s youngest goalscorer at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year and helped Senegal reach the final. He was 17 years old at the time.<\/p>\n
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Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, January 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mosaab Elshamy, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye celebrates after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 soccer match between Senegal and Sudan in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, January 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mosaab Elshamy, File)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The forward came through PSG’s youth ranks and made his French league debut in 2024 at the age of 16.<\/p>\n
He made his Champions League debut last year and has gradually increased his playing time for PSG this season, including appearances in Europe’s top club competition, which the French club won. <\/p>\n
Kendry Paes<\/h2>\n
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is a regular on the Ecuadorian national team. <\/p>\n
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Kendry Paes, 10, of Ecuador and Julian Alvarez of Argentina fight for the ball during a 2026 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Banco Pichincha Stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. (AP Photo\/Dolores Ochoa, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Kendry Paes, 10, of Ecuador and Julian Alvarez of Argentina fight for the ball during a 2026 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Banco Pichincha Stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. (AP Photo\/Dolores Ochoa, File)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Chelsea signed a deal to sign Paes from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in 2023 and in 2025, when he will turn 18. Chelsea loaned him to French club Strasbourg last year and he is currently on loan at Argentine giants River Plate. <\/p>\n
A good performance at the World Cup will likely see Paes, known for his nimble dribbling and explosive changes of pace, return to Europe.<\/p>\n
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AP World Cup coverage: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n