Forty-eight teams. 1,248 players. Somewhere in that ocean are the kids nobody's talking about yet — seven teenagers and early-20s stars who might leave the World Cup as household names.

You already know Yamal, Güler, and João Neves. Here are the seven you haven't heard of. Yet.

The next generation of World Cup breakout stars

Gilberto Mora — Mexico, 17 years old

Value: €10M ($10.9M USD)
Why he matters: Youngest player in the entire tournament. And he's playing in the opening match.

Mora is a left-footed winger with explosive acceleration and dribbling that makes defenders second-guess their career choices. At 16, he won the Gold Cup with Mexico, breaking Yamal's record for youngest player in a continental final. At the U-17 World Cup last October? Three goals, two assists, absolute chaos.

Mexico kicks off the tournament. If Mora delivers, the world will know his name by halftime.

Lennart Karl — Germany, 18 years old

Value: €60M ($65.4M USD)

Bayern Munich's latest academy masterpiece. Less than a year after his first-team debut, Karl has already put up 9 goals and 7 assists in 39 appearances. He's a left-footed attacking midfielder with genuine creativity — the kind of player Germany has been desperate for since Mesut Özil faded.

Nagelsmann personally pushed for his inclusion. When the Bayern manager tells the national team manager "this kid is ready," you listen.

Lennart Karl in action for Bayern Munich

Nico Paz — Argentina, 21 years old

Value: €80M ($87.2M USD)

Real Madrid academy product. Currently tearing up Serie A with Como — 13 goals, 7 assists in 40 appearances, dragging the club into the Champions League for the first time. Madrid is already triggering his €8M buyback clause this summer. That's a €72M markup in one season.

Oh, and his first Argentina cap? He assisted Messi. Literally set up Leo's goal in his international debut. If Argentina is going to defend the title, Paz will be riding shotgun with the GOAT.

Nico Paz celebrating during his breakthrough season with Como

Rayan — Brazil, 19 years old

Value: €40M ($43.6M USD)

Came to the Premier League as Semenyo's replacement at Bournemouth. Half a season later: 15 games, 5 goals, 2 assists. Carlo Ancelotti looked at Brazil's stacked attacking options — Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison — and said "nah, I want the kid."

Rayan made his second Brazil appearance two days before the roster was announced and scored immediately. He's the chaos agent off the bench that every World Cup winner needs.

Mario Vušković — Croatia, 19 years old

Value: €60M ($65.4M USD)

Croatia's squad is aging — Modrić is pushing 41, Perišić isn't far behind. But in Vušković, they have the next defensive cornerstone. At 6'4" (1.93m), he dominates aerially and has already established himself in the Bundesliga.

Four senior caps, one goal already. Vušković is following the Joško Gvardiol blueprint: unknown before the tournament, un-buyable after it.

Jan Diomande — Ivory Coast, 19 years old

Value: €90M ($98.1M USD)

This is the one Premier League scouts are fighting over. Diomande is Ivory Coast's best player at 19 — a direct, powerful winger with 13 goals and 8 assists for RB Leipzig this season. Liverpool and PSG are already in a bidding war that'll probably hit nine figures by August.

He's fast. He's physical. He's fearless. If Ivory Coast escapes a tricky group, Diomande will be the reason.

Jan Diomande terrorizing Bundesliga defenses

Nico O'Reilly — England, 21 years old

Value: €50M ($54.5M USD)

For years, left-back was England's haunted position — the cursed spot that no elite player wanted to claim. Enter O'Reilly, who seized the starting job at Manchester City when Nouri went down injured and never gave it back.

Fifty-four appearances. Nine goals. Six assists. At 6'4" (1.93m), he's a nightmare on set pieces at both ends. And here's the kicker: he can also play attacking midfield. Tuchel can use him as a tactical chameleon.

Nico O'Reilly in action for Manchester City

O'Reilly might not start every match. But when England is chasing a goal in the 75th minute and needs someone who can win a header and immediately switch to a creative role — he's the answer.

The Bottom Line

Seven names. Seven different countries. Combined total of roughly 50 senior international caps. Most of them weren't alive the last time a non-European team won a World Cup.

But that's the thing about World Cups — they don't care about your resume. They care about who shows up on the day. One of these kids is about to have the summer of their life.

Key Takeaways

Gilberto Mora — Mexico, 17 years old

Lennart Karl — Germany, 18 years old

Nico Paz — Argentina, 21 years old

Rayan — Brazil, 19 years old

Mario Vušković — Croatia, 19 years old

Jan Diomande — Ivory Coast, 19 years old

Nico O'Reilly — England, 21 years old

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the youngest player at World Cup 2026?

Which rising stars should I watch besides Yamal at World Cup 2026?

Why is Jan Diomande a World Cup 2026 breakout pick?

What did Nico Paz do in his Argentina debut?

How can Nico O'Reilly help England at World Cup 2026?

gilberto mora

Seven Teenagers and Early-20s Stars About to Blow Up the World Cup