World Cup 2026: Five teenage talents to watch out for including Barcelona sensation and Man Utd transfer target

The 2026 World Cup is just a few months away and all 48 teams have now been confirmed for the newly-expanded tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Football’s biggest event consistently acts as the ultimate launchpad for youngsters to announce themselves on the global stage. Pele in Sweden 1958, Lionel Messi in Germany 2006, James Rodriguez in Brazil 2014, Kylian Mbappe in Russia 2018, and Enzo Fernandez in Qatar 2022 to name just a few.

Here, Buzz looked at five teenage stars who will aim to follow in their footsteps at what will be their first World Cup this summer.

It goes without saying that Lamine Yamal will be the most high-profile teenage star on display at this summer’s World Cup and he could have a huge role to play in helping pre-tournament favourites Spain win their first global prize since 2010.

Three years on from making his professional debut, the Barcelona sensation has already amassed 146 appearances at club level, scoring 46 goals and registering 50 assists, while he has also chipped in with six goals in 25 national team outings for Spain.

A technically elite, left-footed winger who continues to strike fear in the eyes of defenders, Yamal will turn 19 on July 13, just six days before the World Cup final, and he will be aiming to become the first player to win both the Euros and World Cup before their 20th birthday.

Yan Diomande has enjoyed a brilliant breakout season with RB Leipzig and the World Cup represents the perfect opportunity for him to show exactly why a plethora of the biggest clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona, are chasing his signature this summer.

The 19-year-old made his professional debut with Leganes in March 2025 before joining Leipzig for around €20m, and the skillful, ball-carrying winger has since blossomed into one of the Bundesliga’s brightest stars, recording 10 goals and seven assists in 26 league games this term.

Now valued at a staggering €100m, Diomande was unable to showcase his talent during March’s international break due to injury. Nevertheless, he was a key figure for Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations en route to the quarter-finals, while he scored twice in as many World Cup qualifiers to help his nation reach the Finals for the first time in 12 years.

If Neymar is not fit to provide the Samba spirit for Brazil at the World Cup, then Estevao Willian could be the man to light up the 2026 tournament for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, alongside senior stars including Vinicius Junior and Raphinha.

The versatile Chelsea starlet, who turns 19 later this month, was already a Brazil international before arriving from Palmeiras last summer and he has since established himself as a gifted assets for club and country, someone who thrives at creating attacking opportunities with flair and speed.

After helping Chelsea win the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States last summer, Estevao has since contributed to 10 goals (seven goals, three assists) in 33 games for the Blues this term, while he has found the net five times in his last six senior outings for Brazil, starting four of those.

“Of all the young players we’ve called up over time, he’s made the best impression”. Those were the words of Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann on Bayern Munich ace Lennart Karl following March’s international break.

Comfortable operating as an attacking midfielder or a winger, Karl was rewarded with his first two senior Germany caps in friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana after making a notable impression in a breakout season from Vincent Kompany’s treble-chasing Bayern outfit.

Known for his explosive dribbling, low centre of gravity and intelligent play in tight spaces, Karl has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 35 appearances for Bayern so far this season, and he could prove to be a difference-maker in specific scenarios for the four-time world champions this summer.

Gilberto Mora | 17 | Mexico & Club Tijuana

Co-hosts Mexico have unearthed a generational talent in Gilberto Mora, who surpassed both Yamal and Brazil icon Pele to become the youngest player ever to lift a major senior international trophy, aged 16 years and 265 days.

The 5ft 6in playmaker was a revelation during El Tri’s 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph last summer, starting in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. He provided the match-winning assist for Raul Jimenez in the semi-final against Honduras, before helping Mexico overcome USA 2-1 in the showpiece.

With 49 senior appearances and nine goals for Club Tijuana, Mora has already caught the attention of Europe’s elite clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona. After a brief injury spell at the start of this year, the teenager is hoping to play a starring role for Mexico at the World Cup.