20 Young Players BBC Says Could Surprise Fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not only about famous stars like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland. According to BBC Sport, many lesser-known players are also ready to make a big impact on football’s biggest stage.
BBC reports that a record 1,248 players can take part in the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. BBC also notes that 891 of them are playing in their first World Cup, giving fans a chance to discover new football heroes.
Here are 20 rising stars BBC believes are worth watching closely.
1. Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
BBC describes 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande as one of the hottest young talents in world football.
According to BBC, he scored 12 goals and provided nine assists for RB Leipzig last season. BBC says several top clubs are interested in him, but Leipzig reportedly do not want to sell him.
A strong World Cup could make him one of the tournament’s breakout stars.
2. Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
BBC highlights 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora as the youngest player at the tournament.
BBC reports that he became Mexico’s youngest senior international and has already been compared to Pedri because of his creativity and football intelligence.
Many Mexican fans will hope he shines on home soil.
3. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
According to BBC, Johan Manzambi impressed for SC Freiburg during their strong European campaign.
BBC says he can play in several midfield positions, scores goals, and carries the ball confidently. His versatility could make him one of Switzerland’s most important players.
4. Ricardo Pepi (United States)
BBC believes Ricardo Pepi could become a key player for the host nation.
The striker scored 19 goals for PSV Eindhoven last season. BBC points out that the United States will need goals if they want to go deep into the competition.
5. Nico Paz (Argentina)
BBC praises Nico Paz for his outstanding season with Como.
According to BBC, he completed more dribbles than any other player in Serie A and contributed 21 goals and assists combined. BBC believes he could become a valuable attacking option for Argentina.
6. Gessime Yassine (Morocco)
BBC says Gessime Yassine gained attention after helping Morocco win the Under-20 World Cup.
According to BBC, his dribbling ability and close control have already attracted interest from major European clubs.
7. Lucas Herrington (Australia)
BBC reports that Lucas Herrington is the youngest player ever selected for an Australian World Cup squad.
The teenage defender is already earning praise for his maturity and composure.
8. Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
BBC describes Kerim Alajbegovic as the future face of Bosnian football.
BBC notes that he calmly scored crucial penalties during Bosnia’s World Cup qualifying play-offs, showing confidence beyond his years.
9. Can Uzun (Turkey)
According to BBC, Can Uzun started last season brilliantly for Eintracht Frankfurt before injuries slowed him down.
BBC believes he remains one of Turkey’s most gifted young creators.
10. Armando Gonzalez (Mexico)
BBC says striker Armando Gonzalez scored 25 goals for Chivas de Guadalajara last season.
According to BBC, many fans compare his style to former Mexico star Javier Hernández.
11. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
BBC reports that Ayyoub Bouaddi chose Morocco after representing France at youth level.
BBC says the talented midfielder is also studying mathematics and is known for his intelligence both on and off the pitch.
12. Houssem Aouar (Algeria)
According to BBC, Houssem Aouar has rediscovered the form that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting midfielders.
BBC notes that he scored 15 goals for Al-Ittihad last season.
13. Alessandro Circati (Australia)
BBC highlights Alessandro Circati as a future leader of Australian football.
According to BBC, he became Australia’s youngest captain in decades and has been excellent for Parma.
14. Ali Jasim (Iraq)
BBC says Ali Jasim has been making headlines since his teenage years.
BBC believes his speed and attacking instincts could cause problems for bigger teams.
15. Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)
According to BBC, Mohamed Amoura was Africa’s top scorer during World Cup qualifying.
BBC says Algeria will rely heavily on his goals this summer.
16. Luis Suarez (Colombia)
Not to be confused with the Uruguayan star, BBC reports that Luis Suárez scored 38 goals for Sporting CP last season.
BBC believes he has the potential to become one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
17. Brian Gutierrez (Mexico)
BBC says Brian Gutiérrez switched from representing the United States to Mexico.
According to BBC, his creativity and energy have already made him a fan favorite.
18. Bazoumana Toure (Ivory Coast)
BBC reports that Bazoumana Touré is nicknamed “The Hurricane” because of his pace.
BBC says his speed and dribbling skills make him one of the most exciting young wingers in the tournament.
19. Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)
According to BBC, Ibrahim Maza is already being compared to Algerian legend Riyad Mahrez.
BBC believes the talented midfielder could use this World Cup to introduce himself to football fans around the world.
20. Luka Vuskovic (Croatia)
BBC says Luka Vušković is one of Europe’s most promising young defenders.
According to BBC, he scored six goals while on loan at Hamburger SV and is expected to have a bright future with Tottenham Hotspur.
Unique Perspective
BBC’s list shows that the 2026 World Cup may be remembered not only for the biggest names but also for the emergence of football’s next generation. BBC highlights players from Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, showing how talent is now coming from every corner of the world.
What makes BBC’s selections especially interesting is that many of these players are still teenagers or in their early twenties. Some are already attracting attention from Europe’s biggest clubs, while others are hoping the World Cup becomes the platform that changes their careers forever.
BBC’s analysis suggests that fans should not focus only on established stars. History shows that every World Cup creates new heroes, and BBC believes several of these 20 young players could be the names everyone is talking about by the end of the tournament.
For football fans, this means the 2026 World Cup is not just about who wins the trophy. As BBC points out, it is also about discovering the next generation of global superstars before the rest of the world fully knows their names.
Credit: BBC