The World Cup is now just hours away from beginning, and football fans across the globe are ready for a five-week feast of summer action.
Who’ll fire their team to victory at the tournament? Who will claim the Golden Boot? And which young talents will light up the tournament and become a household name overnight? In years gone by, the likes of Michael Owen, Thomas Muller and even Pelé have announced their arrival on the big stage.
Lamine Yamal is one of the teenage talents who have already exploded on the world stage, playing a crucial role for both Spain and Barcelona in recent years, though other young starlets will enter the tournament with little fanfare but leave as superstars.
Here are the 15 young players heading to the World Cup that we’re tipping to have big futures:
9. Noah Sadiki - DR Congo
Dubbed 'the younger brother of N'Golo Kante' due to his boundless energy and strength in the tackle, the 21-year-old has been a key player for a Sunderland side that qualified for the Europa League this season. Linked with a £40million move to Chelsea and Manchester United in recent months, Sadiki is vital to DR Congo's hopes of progression in the tournament. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. Gilberto Mora - Mexico
Mora is officially the youngest player at this year's World Cup. The 17-year-old Club Tijuana prodigy already has already made history as the youngest player to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico, while he is also the youngest goal scorer in Liga MX history. His former club manager Juan Carlos Osorio claimed his elite pitch vision and distribution reminded him of legendary Spanish playmaker Andreas Iniesta. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Ayyoub Bouaddi - Morocco
The former France youth international opted to switch allegiances to Morocco ahead of the tournament, with the 18-year-old Lille star included in the Atlas Lions squad for the World Cup shortly afterwards. A regular for Les Dogues in Ligue 1 this season as they clinched third place and a return to the Champions League for next season, Bouaddi is an athletic 6ft1in midfielder who will aid Morocco's press and provide spatial awareness in the centre of the park. | AFP via Getty Images
12. Yan Diomande - Ivory Coast
Widely regarded as one of Europe's most exciting young wingers, the 19-year-old's explosive pace and physicality on the flanks have made him a target for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Scored 12 goals and contributed a further eight in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig this season, and created 57 chances for the German giants in the 2025/26 campaign as they finished in third position. | AFP via Getty Images