The Next Messi? Rising Stars to Watch at the 2026 World Cup

Every World Cup writes its own chapter in football history — not just with goals and trophies, but with the emergence of new legends. In 1958, a 17-year-old Pelé dazzled the world. In 2018, Kylian Mbappé's electric pace and fearless finishing lit up Russia. And now, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, all eyes are turning to a fresh generation of talent, waiting for their moment under the brightest lights in football.

With the tournament expanding to 48 teams and hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, 2026 promises more games, more nations — and more opportunities for young players to shine. Some have already made waves in Europe’s top leagues. Others are just beginning to capture the world’s attention with their raw talent and explosive potential. But all of them are ready to take the next step.

In this post, we highlight 10 young players under the age of 23 who could become breakout stars at the 2026 World Cup. They have the skill, the confidence, and the stage — now all they need is the moment.

Who will be the next global icon? Could we witness the rise of the next Messi — not in Barcelona or Buenos Aires, but on the fields of North America?

Let’s take a closer look at the future of football — today.

What Makes a Future Star? Our Selection Criteria

World Cups are full of promise — but not every young player is ready for the spotlight. To identify the most exciting breakout candidates for 2026, we’ve set some clear criteria. These aren't just hyped-up teenagers or YouTube sensations. They're real contenders with the tools to take over the biggest stage in football. 

Here’s what we looked for:

1. Age & Eligibility

All players on this list will be 23 or younger when the tournament kicks off in June 2026. Some are already regulars for club and country. Others are still emerging. But all are young enough to have their careers transformed by a single magical summer.

2. Proven or Predictable Impact

This isn’t just a talent show. Every name here has either:

• Already made a serious impact in domestic or international football, or

• Is widely tipped by scouts and coaches to do so in the next 12 months.

We’ve balanced performance with potential — not just who they are now, but who they’re becoming.

3. Likely World Cup Appearance

No matter how talented a player is, he won’t shine if his team doesn’t qualify. So we’ve prioritized young stars from nations already qualified or strongly positioned to be in the final 48. The goal: spotlight players you’ll actually see on the pitch next summer.

4. Game-Changing Qualities

Not every good young player makes this list. We're focused on those who can shape a match — through pace, vision, goals, flair, or sheer dominance. These are the players who, if they catch fire, could redefine the tournament.

We’re not predicting who will become the next Messi or Mbappé — but these 10 players have the best shot at taking over the 2026 World Cup.

Shall we dive in?

The 10 Young Players to Watch at the 2026 World Cup

This tournament won’t just be about the established stars. It never is. From Pelé in 1958 to Mbappé in 2018, football’s greatest stage has a habit of launching new names into global stardom. So who’s next?

Here are the 10 young players we believe could steal the spotlight in North America next summer.

1. Lamine Yamal (Spain, age 18)

Club: FC Barcelona

Position: Right winger / forward

Spain doesn’t produce players like this very often. Technically, Lamine Yamal isn't just good for his age — he’s good, full stop. By 17, he was already breaking records for club and country, becoming Spain’s youngest ever scorer and the youngest starter in a Champions League knockout stage.

What makes him special?

It’s the elegance on the ball, the mature decision-making, and the left foot that bends reality. His dribbling is fearless. His movement is intelligent. And under pressure, he looks completely unbothered.

Barcelona knows what they have — and so does Luis de la Fuente’s Spain. If Yamal stays healthy, he’ll be one of the most electrifying players to watch in 2026. He doesn’t play like the next Messi. He just plays like Lamine.

2.Jude Bellingham (England, age 22)

Club: Real Madrid

Position: Central midfielder / attacking midfielder

Some players play like they were born for the big stage. Jude Bellingham lives on it. From Birmingham to Dortmund to Madrid, he’s made every step look effortless — and now, he’s already the heartbeat of both club and country.

Bellingham combines grit and grace in a way that’s rare. He breaks up play, drives forward with purpose, and scores goals that matter. In La Liga and the Champions League, he’s shown he can carry a team when the pressure’s highest — and he does it with a calm intensity that’s beyond his years.

England has the talent to win big, but they need a player who bridges passion and precision. Bellingham is that player. By the time the 2026 World Cup kicks off, he won’t just be a rising star — he might be the star.

3. Endrick Felipe (Brazil, age 18)

Club: Real Madrid 

Position: Striker

He’s already being compared to Romário and Ronaldo. No pressure. But Endrick doesn’t seem to care. At 16, he was scoring goals in Brazil’s top league. At 17, he was leading Palmeiras to a title. Now, he has made a high-profile move to Real Madrid and is set to become Brazil's new No.9.

Enderique is short, strong, explosive - and extremely direct. He has a low center of gravity and is good at scoring in tight spaces. His skills may be a little immature, but he has the confidence and killer instinct that Brazilian fans crave.

With Brazil’s forward line in transition and a European-based squad taking shape under Carlo Ancelotti, Endrick could arrive at the perfect time. Brazilians are looking forward to this new generation talent scoring his first goal for the Brazilian national team. Don’t be surprised if he scores one of the goals of the tournament.

4. Jamal Musiala (Germany, age 22)

Club: Bayern Munich

Position: Attacking midfielder / winger

If you’ve watched Bayern Munich in the past two seasons, you know who Jamal Musiala is. Nicknamed "Magic Musiala" by German fans, he glides past defenders with a balance and body control rarely seen in players his age. He’s not just flashy — he’s effective.

Musiala plays with the poise of a veteran and the spontaneity of a street footballer. Tight angles, quick turns, smooth acceleration — he has it all. His decision-making in the final third has improved year by year, and he’s already scored clutch goals for Germany in major tournaments.

At 22, this is his time. With Germany rebuilding its football identity after two underwhelming World Cups, Musiala could be the centerpiece of a new generation. He may not scream leadership, but he leads with brilliance. If Germany goes far, he’ll be at the heart of it.

5. Florian Wirtz (Germany, age 22)

Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Attacking midfielder / playmaker

Where Musiala dances, Wirtz dictates. If the Bayern star is the artist, Wirtz is the architect. Calm on the ball, clinical in his passing, and devastatingly efficient around the box, Wirtz has become one of Europe’s most complete young playmakers.

Injuries slowed him down in 2022, but he’s bounced back — and then some. Under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen, Wirtz has flourished as the creative hub of one of the most exciting teams in Europe. He sees space before others do. And he finds passes that split defenses in two.

Germany has struggled to find its midfield identity since the days of Özil and Kroos. In Wirtz, they may have their answer. Paired with Musiala, they could form the most dangerous young duo in the tournament. Quiet, efficient, and surgical — Wirtz could be the difference-maker Germany didn’t know it had.

6. Benjamin Šeško (Slovenia, age 23)

Club: RB Leipzig

Position: Striker

If you’re looking for a breakout No. 9 at the 2026 World Cup, keep an eye on Benjamin Šeško. Tall, fast, and technically clean, he brings a rare blend of size and finesse that makes him one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.

Standing at 6'5", Šeško isn’t your typical big striker — he stretches defenses with well-timed runs and strikes with minimal backlift. At Leipzig, he’s steadily grown into a decisive finisher, with an eye for space and improving link-up play.

Slovenia may not be a traditional World Cup powerhouse, but they’re on the rise. If they qualify, Šeško will be their focal point — and maybe one of the tournament’s surprise stars. He’s got the tools to punish even the most organized defenses.

7. Désiré Doué (France, age 21)

Club: Stade Rennais

Position: Attacking midfielder / winger

France doesn’t lack attacking talent — but Désiré Doué is quietly emerging as something special. Versatile, unpredictable, and oozing technical flair, he’s the kind of player who can light up a game with a single dribble or a daring through ball.

At Rennes, Doué has matured quickly, playing with confidence beyond his years. Whether deployed wide or centrally, he carries the ball with purpose and rarely loses composure in tight spaces. There’s a rawness to his game, but also the promise of something exceptional.

If he breaks into France’s senior squad before 2026 — and the trajectory says he might — he could be a wildcard in an already stacked team. Think of him as a potential impact sub or game-changer off the bench, the type of player who shifts momentum when you least expect it.

8. Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina, age 21)

Club: Manchester United

Position: Winger

Alejandro Garnacho doesn’t tiptoe into games — he tears into them. Electric pace, fearless dribbling, and a flair for the dramatic have made him one of Argentina’s most thrilling young talents. He doesn’t just want to beat defenders — he wants to humiliate them.

At Manchester United, Garnacho has grown into a game-changer, capable of unlocking matches with a moment of chaos. His overhead kick against Everton went viral for a reason: he plays with that kind of audacity. And with Lionel Messi likely stepping away from the international stage, Argentina will look to a new generation for attacking spark.

Garnacho may not be the finished product yet, but he has that intangible X-factor. In a knockout tournament, that can be the difference between going home early and lifting the trophy.

9. Gavi (Spain, age 21)

Club: Barcelona

Position: Central midfielder

Gavi doesn’t just play the game — he attacks it. Small in stature but enormous in attitude, the Barcelona midfielder brings a level of bite and bravery that belies his age. He’ll chase lost causes, snap into tackles, and then ping a pass between two defenders like it’s nothing.

Already a regular for Spain and a veteran of the 2022 World Cup, Gavi has become essential to Luis de la Fuente’s plans. He’s not just energy — there’s vision, control, and an increasing sense of tempo in how he dictates play. You can feel the Andrés Iniesta echoes, but with a sharper edge.

By 2026, Gavi will have hundreds of top-level matches under his belt — and that experience, combined with his fire, could drive Spain deep into the tournament. He may not be flashy, but he’s indispensable.

10. Warren Zaïre-Emery (France, age 20)

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Position: Central midfielder

Warren Zaïre-Emery is still a teenager, but he plays like he’s been controlling midfields for a decade. Calm on the ball, strong in the challenge, and tactically intelligent, he’s the kind of midfielder every coach wants and every opponent hates to play against.

At PSG, he’s become a trusted starter — a rare feat for a homegrown youngster in a star-studded squad. What sets him apart isn’t just his maturity, but his composure under pressure. He rarely makes the wrong decision and often makes the right one look easy.

France may be spoiled for choice in midfield, but Zaïre-Emery brings a different kind of balance — a glue player with world-class potential. If he makes the final squad, don’t be surprised if he ends the tournament as a starter.