New Generation of Players Making Impact at FIFA World Cup 2026

Not just experienced World Cup players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but a new generation of players are also making a big impact in the 2026 World Cup.

Many of the 85 players aged 21 or under who have qualified for the World Cup being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada have fully utilized this opportunity. They are performing excellently without any hesitation.

Senegal's Ibrahima Mbaye scored a consolation goal in the 3-1 defeat against France on June 16 in New Jersey. At 18 years and 143 days old, he became the fourth youngest goalscorer in World Cup history. Five days later, Lamine Yamal scored Spain's first goal in their 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Atlanta at the age of 18 years and 343 days. However, there are other young players who are performing excellently on the field even if they are not getting much attention.

Mexican teenage attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora was born after Messi, Ronaldo, and Luka Modric had already played in the 2006 World Cup. Mora was 17 years and 240 days old when he came on as a substitute in the 2-0 victory over South Africa on June 11. With this, he became the youngest player to play for a host nation in the World Cup.

Lamine Yamal was already predicted to be a key player in the World Cup. But other new young stars have emerged from the group stage. Here are five young players who have attracted a lot of attention:

Ayub Bouaddi (Morocco, 18 years)

When he debuted in the World Cup against Brazil on June 13, Lille midfielder Ayub Bouaddi completed 66 passes. With this, he became the second youngest player in this century to complete more than 50 passes in a single World Cup match.

During the analysis of the match against Brazil, former England captain Alan Shearer, impressed by his performance, said, 'Bouaddi looked very composed in ball control and tried to control the rhythm of the game from midfield.'

Later, this teenage player became the first player in history since 1966 to complete more than 50 passes in two matches at the age of 18 or under. He completed 64 passes in the match against Scotland.

Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast, 19 years)

Both Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are interested in signing Yan Diomande. Looking at his excellent dribbling ability in this World Cup, this attraction towards him seems natural. This teenage player from RB Leipzig created five goal-scoring opportunities in the 1-0 victory over Ecuador and provided two decisive assists in the 2-1 defeat against Germany.

Former Tottenham and Brentford coach Thomas Frank told BBC Sport, 'Diomande is now the center of everyone's attention. What he can do on the field is indelible in my mind.' Ivory Coast, which was eliminated from the group stage in the last three World Cups, has reached the knockout stage for the first time this time, and Diomande also deserves major credit for this.

Johan Manzambi (Switzerland, 20 years)

Johan Manzambi was once a goalkeeper for his youth team. His first football idol was Germany's Manuel Neuer. But now he has become a creative midfielder who likes to advance in attack and score goals.

Manzambi scored three of the seven goals Switzerland scored in the group stage.

At 20 years and 247 days old, he became the youngest player in World Cup history to come on as a substitute and score two or more goals in a single match. He is also the first player for Switzerland to achieve this feat in the World Cup.

He achieved this feat on June 18 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He came on in the 71st minute when the score was 0-0, and Switzerland went on to win 4-1.

In this century, Manzambi is one of only three players under 21 years old to have directly contributed to four or more goals in the World Cup. Before him, Kylian Mbappé (4) in 2018 and Thomas Müller (8) in 2010 had achieved this feat.

Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 18 years)

At 18 years and 276 days old, Kerim Alajbegovic scored a spectacular goal from outside the penalty box against Qatar on June 24. With this, he became the youngest player in World Cup history since 1966 to score from outside the box.

Previously, this record was held by Kylian Mbappé, who scored against Croatia in 2018 at the age of 19 years and 207 days. This young player, who played for Red Bull Salzburg last season, played in all three group stage matches for Bosnia and Herzegovina, starting in two of them. The team has reached the knockout stage and will play against co-host United States on July 1 in California.

In the 3-1 victory over Qatar, Alajbegovic made the most tackles with 17, 10 of which were successful. He also made the most successful dribbles with 6, won the most fouls with four, and jointly created the most goal-scoring opportunities with two for both teams.

Nestory Irankunda (Australia, 20 years)

At 20 years and 125 days old, Nestory Irankunda scored the first goal in the 2-0 victory over Turkey, setting a record as the youngest Australian to score in the World Cup. He is the fourth player to score for Australia on his World Cup debut, after John Aloisi, Tim Cahill, and Craig Goodwin.

Irankunda said, 'This is unbelievable. My dream has come true.'

Born in a refugee camp in Tanzania in 2006, Irankunda's parents from Burundi were forced to leave their country due to civil war. Watford fans are well aware of Irankunda. He scored four goals for Watford in the Championship in the 2025-26 season. He moved to Watford from Bayern Munich in 2025 to play regularly for the first team.

From BBC