Kenan Yildiz (Turkey): Born in Germany, Yildiz came to the World Cup after initial successes in Europe, when he won the Coppa Italia in the 2023-24 season with Juventus and had a spot in the Serie A team of the following season. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or winger, young player Yildiz is one of the most promising talents in Turkey's attack.
Nico Paz (Argentina): This 21-year-old attacking midfielder is widely considered a top candidate to succeed Lionel Messi in the Argentine national team in the future.
With 12 goals and 7 assists in Serie A last season, Nico Paz made a huge contribution to helping Como qualify for the Champions League next season.
Rayan (Brazil): This 19-year-old winger received his first call-up to the national team from coach Carlo Ancelotti in March and was named in the World Cup squad due to an injury in Estevao. He scored his first goal for Brazil in the 6-2 win over Panama in a friendly match before the World Cup.
Previously, Rayan scored 5 goals and had 2 assists in 15 Premier League appearances, helping Bournemouth qualify for European cups for the first time in club history.
Gilberto Mora (Mexico): With outstanding talent compared to his age, Mora became the youngest player to debut for the Mexican national team at the age of 16 years, 9 months and 14 days in 2025.
His career's breakthrough peak reached in July last year, when he became the youngest player to win a high-level international tournament when Mexico won the CONCACAF championship.
With calm ball control and sharp scoring vision, Mora participated in the 2025 U20 World Cup and is expected to shine at the World Cup at home.
Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast): Diomande has caused a storm across Europe since joining RB Leipzig from Leganes less than a year ago, causing the German club to value him at an incredible level of 100 million Euros.
Known for his superior speed, skillful dribbling ability and good fitness, this 1.8m tall winger has a very good scoring vision.
Diomande scored 12 goals and had 8 assists in the Bundesliga, helping Leipzig finish the Bundesliga season in third place, thereby winning a ticket to the Champions League next season.
With that high form, Diomande brings many hopes for the Ivory Coast team at the 2026 World Cup. In the latest friendly match, the Ivory Coast team unexpectedly defeated the championship contender France with a score of 2-1.
Nico O'Reilly (England): As a product of the Manchester City academy, O'Reilly made his first-team debut for Etihad club in the 2024-25 season. However, the 2025-2026 season saw O'Reilly break through, when he was used by Pep Guardiola in both left-back and attacking midfielder positions.
After more than 50 matches in all competitions this season, scoring 9 goals and 6 assists, O'Reilly has emerged as one of the most promising talents of English football. His versatility can turn him into an important asset in coach Thomas Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad, when England sets championship ambitions.
Lennart Karl (Germany): Having played for the German national team from the U15 level upwards, Karl was called up to the national team for the first time in March after a breakthrough season at Bayern Munich. With 9 goals and 8 assists in all competitions in his first season playing for the Bavarian team, Karl quickly emerged as a young phenomenon in the Bundesliga.
This 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who can also play as a winger, has a petite physique. But his speed, technique and scoring ability make him a promising choice for Julian Nagelsmann's German team.
Keisuke Goto (Japan): At the age of 20, Goto is the youngest member of the Japanese national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Last season, Goto played very well for Sint-Truidense in Belgium, with 13 goals and 8 assists. With a height of up to 1.91m, Goto may be Japan's trump card in attack.
