You already know the main stars who should shine in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but what about the new generation of promises?
A record number of 1,248 players will represent the United States, Canada and Mexico. Although few are completely unknown, 891 of them are competing in their first World Cup, with several new faces looking to make a name for themselves on the international stage.
In this edition, BBC Sport’s World Cup commentators, both on television and radio, highlight 20 players who play outside the Premier League and Scottish Premiership and deserve attention this summer.
1. Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)Age: 19 years old. Position: Pointer. Club: RB Leipzig.
Diomande has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, but Leipzig claim he is not for sale and reportedly value him at more than €130m (around £112m).
Steve Wilson claims that one of the most coveted signings of the summer will be the young winger from RB Leipzig, although the German club do not want to lose him.
Winner of the Bundesliga’s Newcomer of the Season award, Diomande arrived from Spain’s Leganés in July 2025 for around 20 million euros (£17.2 million) and soon recorded 21 goal appearances (12 goals and nine assists) in 33 league games, helping Leipzig secure a place in the Champions League.
He lived in Florida for three years after moving to the United States at age 15, which should make him feel at ease in the coming weeks.
Diomande missed Côte d’Ivoire’s friendlies against South Korea and Scotland in March because of a shoulder injury, but was a starter in last week’s surprise friendly victory over France and is expected to retain his role when the tournament begins.
2. Gilberto Mora (Mexico)Age: 17 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: Tijuana.
Mora earned nicknames such as “The Mexican Pedri”, “The Mexican Pearl” and “Crackito” (Little Maestro) from the Spanish press after his brilliant performance against Spain in last year’s U20 World Cup. He is the subject of speculation about a transfer to Europe and would be in the sights of Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Radio 5 Live football correspondent John Murray highlights that the youngest player at the entire World Cup is a 17-year-old attacking midfielder described as a prodigy at last summer’s Gold Cup, when he became the youngest member of Mexico’s senior team at 16.
Not only that: coach Javier Aguirre named him as a starter in the final that Mexico won against Mauricio Pochettino’s United States 2-1 in Houston.
Steve Wilson notes that the young Mexican sensation is the youngest goalscorer in Liga MX history, with his first goal for Tijuana coming in August 2024 at the age of 15.
Many local fans have hopes for him to make his debut against South Africa, at the Azteca Stadium, if he manages to get a starting spot in Aguirre’s team.
Spanish-born Álvaro Fidalgo’s decision in February to play for Mexico rather than wait for Spain could mean Mora starts the tournament on the bench.
3. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)Age: 20 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: SC Freiburg.
As a child, Manzambi dreamed of being a goalkeeper and grew up idolizing the legendary Manuel Neuer. Where will he play for Switzerland this summer?
Steve Bower remembers that Switzerland has a tradition of giving young people chances in important tournaments — like Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye before. Now it could be Manzambi’s turn.
Some remember his important role in the Freiburg team that reached the Europa League final.
Manzambi plays in several positions in midfield and stands out in the final third. He carries the ball well and captain Granit Xhaka has publicly praised him.
Vicki Sparks points out that the youngest member of the Swiss squad has impressed at Freiburg this season. In the words of coach Murat Yakin, “he has an incredible hunger to score goals that I have rarely seen.”
Steve Wilson reports that Manzambi was named UEFA’s Europa League revelation of the season after Freiburg reached their first ever European final.
His seven goals as a midfielder included a great goal against Braga in the semi-final. Born in Geneva, he plays as a central midfielder, number 10 or right-wing striker and has already scored for the senior team.
4. Ricardo Pepi (United States)Age: 23 years old. Position: Striker. Club: PSV Eindhoven.
Pepi has a goal celebration inspired by a character from the Naruto series.
Jonathan Pearce notes that the pressure will be on the hosts, but they could have a rising star in the PSV striker.
He scored 19 goals last season, including six in the last five games as PSV won the Dutch title. He has 13 goals in 35 games for the national team, but played little between November 2024 and April.
Pepi returned to the team for the win over Senegal in May and came on against Germany last week. The United States needs someone who can create goals.
5. Nico Paz (Argentina)Age: 21 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: How.
Paz imitates Lionel Messi’s celebration, but in a recent sequence he preferred “the mask”.
Steve Bower highlights his key role in Como’s success under Cesc Fàbregas and his idol status in Argentina. Left-footed and number 10, he scores, creates and presses well.
Steve Wilson remembers that he is the son of defender Pablo Paz (1998 World Cup). Real Madrid inserted a buy-back clause until 2027. Paz led dribbling in Serie A and scored his first international goal in March.
6. Gessime Yassine (Morocco)Age: 20 years old. Position: Right winger. Club: Strasbourg.
Yassine helped Morocco win the U20 World Cup and has featured in recent friendlies. Left-footed, with good control and dribbling, he is already attracting interest from Barcelona and Chelsea.
7. Lucas Herrington (Australia)Age: 18 years old. Position: Defender. Club: Colorado Rapids.
The youngest Australian called up for a World Cup. From Brisbane, he moved to the USA in January and made a name for himself in the MLS.
8. Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia-Herzegovina)Age: 18 years old. Position: Pointer. Club: Red Bull Salzburg.
He scored a decisive penalty in the play-off and impressed at Salzburg. He is already seen as a new icon of Bosnian football.
9. Can Uzun (Türkiye)Age: 20 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: Eintracht Frankfurt.
Born in Germany, he chose Turkey. He scored well at the start of the season, but injuries got in the way.
10. Armando Gonzalez (Mexico)Age: 23 years old. Position: Striker. Club: Chivas de Guadalajara.
Top scorer with 25 goals last season, nicknamed ‘La Hormiga’. He learned from Chicharito and is an option in the Mexican attack.
11. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)Age: 18 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: Lille.
Arsenal target, studies mathematics and is called “Einstein”. Mature steering wheel with European experience.
12. Houssem Aouar (Algeria)Age: 27 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: Al-Ittihad.
He opted for Algeria in 2023. He regained form and scored 15 goals in Saudi Arabia.
13. Alessandro Circati (Australia)Age: 22 years old. Position: Defender. Club: Parma.
Youngest captain of the Socceroos since 1981, key player in the defense.
14. Ali Jasim (Iraq)Age: 22 years old. Position: Left winger. Club: Como (loaned).
Asian under-23 top scorer, consistent with coach Graham Arnold.
15. Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)Age: 26 years old. Position: Striker or winger. Club: Wolfsburg.
Top scorer in African qualifiers, with 10 goals. Will lead the attack.
16. Luis Suarez (Colombia)Age: 28 years old. Position: Striker. Club: Sporting.
He scored 38 goals on his debut for Sporting and shone in the qualifiers.
17. Brian Gutierrez (Mexico)Age: 22 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: Chivas de Guadalajara.
Born in the USA, he chose Mexico. Highlight in Aguirre’s tactical scheme.
18. Bazoumana Touré (Ivory Coast)Age: 20 years old. Position: Left winger. Club: Hoffenheim.
Impressive speed, nicknamed “The Hurricane”. Good season with assists.
19. Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)Age: 20 years old. Position: Midfielder. Club: Bayer Leverkusen.
Nicknamed ‘Mazadona’, he shone for club and country.
20. Luka Vuskovic (Croatia)Age: 19 years old. Position: Defender. Club: Tottenham (loaned to Hamburg).
Signed by Tottenham, he scored goals on loan and should return after the World Cup.
