2026 World Cup: 10 young players who could be the stars this summer

From Yan Diomandé to João Neves, a new generation of footballers will discover the World Cup. These prodigies, already performing well at club level, will have the opportunity to showcase their talent on the most prestigious international stage.

For just under 900 players, the 2026 World Cup will be their first global experience. Some incredibly talented youngsters, who have already won national or continental titles, will test themselves against the most prestigious players in the world of football. Is this their chance to shine and rise to the top? Here are ten players who could very well burst onto the world stage this summer.

Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)

The young Senegalese talent has already proven himself with Paris Saint-Germain several times this season. The right winger has made 24 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists. He has also seen playing time in the Champions League, starting once and coming off the bench three times for the current European champions.

Having won the Africa Cup of Nations at the final whistle, the Senegalese prospect made his mark in what was his first international tournament. Scoring one goal in six appearances, the Parisian youth player will need to be more prominent if he hopes to secure a starting place in the national team.

Pau Cubarsi (Spain)

A pillar of Barcelona's defense, Pau Cubarsi will have a place in the Spanish national team this summer. Even though the Catalan backline has often been criticized this year against the big teams, this season they have only conceded 14 goals in eight Champions League matches, allowing the Blaugrana to finish with the second-best defense in their league.

Of the 57 matches played by his team this season, Pau Cubarsi has started 48. Despite his young age, he is already a leading defender both nationally and in Europe. Based on La Roja's recent performances, the 19-year-old is expected to be a key player in the Spanish defense this summer, perhaps helping his nation, the overwhelming favorites, to the title.

Yan Diomandé (Ivory Coast)

Tracked by top European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool, Yan Diomandé is already striking fear into opposing defenses. Having made 23 decisive contributions in 36 matches for Leipzig this season, Diomandé has also proven himself with the Ivory Coast national team. He played in all six Africa Cup of Nations matches, starting five of them.

Despite scoring just one goal in this competition, he remains a key element in Emerse Faé's game plan. His technical ability will be one of Ivory Coast's greatest strengths as they hope to go as far as possible in this higher-caliber tournament. Having been named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year this season, he could, as early as this summer, accelerate his development and establish himself among the elite.

Luka Vuskovic (Croatia)

A key player in Hamburg's Bundesliga survival this season, the Croatian center-back is playing in his first World Cup at just 19 years old. Standing at 1.93 meters tall, Luka Vuskovic is equally dominant in both defensive and offensive duels. He has scored six goals and provided one assist this year, a remarkable record for a center-back.

The newcomer will have his place alongside more experienced teammates like Luka Modric, Josko Gvardiol, and Mateo Kovacic, allowing him to mature both in his game and his character and eventually become one of the best in his position. Already being tracked by FC Barcelona, the Croatian defender will have the chance to attract worldwide attention this summer. The World Cup could be the springboard for his career.

Endrick (Brazil)

After a difficult spell at Real Madrid amidst a wealth of attacking talent, Endrick, the Brazilian prodigy who rose to prominence at Palmeiras, has revived his career since this winter at Lyon, where he quickly became a fan favorite. He has finally achieved what he couldn't get in Madrid: playing time, and the striker has bounced back by scoring eight goals and providing eight assists in just 22 matches for Les Gones.

Carlo Ancelotti's second choice in the Brazilian attacking hierarchy, Endrick will have the opportunity, through substitute appearances, to prove he is one of the future pillars of the Brazilian national team. Returning from his loan to Real Madrid next season, the 19-year-old Brazilian will need to further solidify his status as an "attacking superstar" this summer if he wants to establish himself alongside Real Madrid's prodigies like Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr.

Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)

Already well integrated into the Swiss squad, the young SC Freiburg player, a Europa League finalist, will have to live up to his status in a bigger competition this time. A key player in his club's European campaign, Manzambi played in every match, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

His statistics, however, don't reflect his importance to the Fribourg squad. Having played both as a deep-lying midfielder and a striker this season, he has consistently met his coach's expectations. It's this versatility that led to his first call-up to the Swiss national team this season and makes him one of the prospects to watch during the World Cup.

Can Uzun (Türkiye)

Having scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 28 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, the 20-year-old will have to fight for a place in the Turkish squad. He made his Champions League debut this season and consistently delivered when called upon by his coach. Having only been called up to four international matches for Turkey, he will have to battle for a spot at the World Cup.

One thing is certain: he will get playing time during this World Cup and will be able to shake up the attacking hierarchy of his national team. His talent, showcased internationally, could attract the attention of the biggest European clubs, who are likely to fight over him as early as next season.

Warren Zaïre-Emery (France)

The French midfielder has been reborn this season after a slight dip in form last year. The Parisian youth product has worked hard and earned his place in a squad of European champions. A replacement for the injured Achraf Hakimi at the start of the season, Zaïre-Emery was a revelation and even became a benchmark at right-back. Following the injury to Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz, the young Frenchman also had to adapt and fill in at his preferred position.

With his physical presence, technical precision, and versatility, the 20-year-old has forced Didier Deschamps to recall him to the French national team. Two years ago, his call-up for Euro 2024 in Germany, during which he didn't play a single minute, prevented him from participating in the U23 Olympics, where he was a regular starter. The Parisian midfielder's objective this summer is very clear: eager to prove himself, he wants to become an indispensable member of the French national team and take the next step in his young career.

Nico Paz (Argentina)

Having transferred to Como from Real Madrid two years ago, the Argentinian attacking midfielder is constantly evolving. A key player in Cesc Fabregas's project, Como's coach, Nico Paz has been decisive 20 times in 40 matches. His versatility allowed him to lead Como to the Champions League for the first time in their history on the final day of the season. Expected to remain in Lombardy next season to play in Europe with his club, he could accelerate his development this summer and become the world-class player Argentina is waiting for.

João Neves (Portugal)

Discreet and consistent, the Portuguese midfielder will have the chance to confirm his impressive season in Paris this summer at the World Cup. A true utility player in Luis Enrique's system, João Neves is a force of nature on the pitch. Generous in his defensive work and clinical in front of goal, the real challenge for Roberto Martinez, the Portuguese national team coach, will be determining the best position for this versatile midfielder. Having scored two hat-tricks this season, the Portuguese midfielder will need to rely on his individual brilliance to stand out alongside big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Vitinha.