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The World Cup is upon us and all eyes will be on the star names.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe will all be trying to lift the trophy come July.
It is also the perfect stage for young wonderkids to announce themselves to the world.
The list of teenagers to make their breakthrough at the World Cup is long, from Pele to Michael Owen, Thomas Muller and Mbappe himself.
The likes of James Rodriguez and Enzo Fernandez got blockbuster transfers immediately after stunning performances at past tournaments.
Now talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs has named five to watch out for at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Rayan
Team: Brazil
Age: 19
The first is the 19-year-old boy from Rio who has made an instant impact on the Premier League.
He signed a five-year contract with Bournemouth in January for around ÂŁ30m – and that feels like an absolute steal.
Rayan was a replacement for Antoine Semenyo and stepped in perfectly as the Cherries qualified for the Europa League.
Jacobs said from Los Angeles: “The Brazilian teenager could be about to announce himself on the world stage after an absolutely superb second half of the season with the Cherries, in which he scored five goals and also got two assists.Â
“Rayan is so highly rated by Bournemouth that he’s got a release clause of almost ÂŁ100million that is valid from summer 2027.Â
“Rayan at Vasco da Gama scored a ton of goals, he helped his side reach the Brazilian Cup final and the teenager is going to be one to watch and part of the new generation of young Brazilian stars as Carlo Ancelotti looks to lift this trophy.Â
“It’s a shame, by the way, that Estevao Willian is injured, otherwise he would have been my Brazilian honourable mention.”
Nico Paz
Team: Argentina
Age: 21
After coming through the Real Madrid academy, he made eight first-team appearances before joining Como in Italy.
At just six million euros, he’s been an absolute steal for the Serie A team.
Jacobs said: “Nico Paz of Argentina is a player familiar to Italian fans. He’s had a phenomenal season at Cesc Fabregas’ Como as they qualified unbelievably for the Champions League and Paz scored 12 goals and got seven assists in the process.
“Now many believe Nico Paz will be not just an elite footballer but the eventual heir to none other than Lionel Messi.Â
“He is capable of both pushing forwards and playing in a deeper role. Versatile and clinical and he could enjoy a breakout World Cup playing alongside Lionel Messi for now but eventually filling his shoes.”
Yan Diomande
Team: Ivory Coast
Age: 19
Diomande has caught the attention this season with RB Leipzig and he will be one of the big transfer stories this summer.
Leipzig paid his €20 million release clause last summer at Leganes – they can expect five times that much this summer if they have to sell.
Jacobs said: “The 19-year-old is a man in demand.
“12 goals and eight assists for Leipzig as they qualified for the Champions League and maybe that will allow them to make a play to try and get Diomande to sign a new deal.
“Yet Liverpool and PSG are watching Diomande very closely. Manchester United have considered him as well but are not a front runner and maybe even Bayern because they missed out on Anthony Gordon.
“Now Leipzig value Yan Diomande at 100 million euros. The price seems relatively steep but if he has a strong World Cup with the Ivory Coast then suddenly that number could go even higher.”
Luka Vuskovic
Team: Croatia
Age: 19
Vuskovic is already approaching 100 senior games and is one to watch for the future.
The defender, on loan at Hamburg from Spurs, picked up a whole host of awards in his breakout season.
This included Bundesliga team of the season, goal of the season, and rookie of the month five times.
Jacobs said: “Vuskovic had a really productive spell on loan from Tottenham with Hamburg and he will of course turn out for Croatia as part of the new generation.
“Spurs want to keep the player. Bayern Munich have been credited with an interest.Â
“Vuskovic made 27 appearances last season and he also contributed to six goals as well. He’s a very forward-thinking defender and somebody that Tottenham have got high hopes for.Â
“Although there is interest in the market, Spurs would like him to sign a new deal.
“He will come up against England. A lot is made of course of some of Croatia’s older players including Luka Modric, but Vuskovic is seen as the future and he could enjoy a standout World Cup.”
Ali Jasim
Team: Iraq
Age: 22
One of the more unknown quantities is the 22-year-old Jasim playing for Iraq this summer.
He made his senior debut in Iraq aged just 14 and was later signed by Como in 2024.
The forward has spent this season on loan in the Saudi Pro League.
Jacobs added: “Now two years ago at the Under-23 Asian Cup he was the top scorer and has been influential for the Saudi Pro League side Al Najma on loan from Como.
“A big prospect for the future. Very versatile and a clinical finisher and somebody that could announce himself at this World Cup for Iraq.”
The World Cup is upon us and all eyes will be on the star names.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe will all be trying to lift the trophy come July.
It is also the perfect stage for young wonderkids to announce themselves to the world.
The list of teenagers to make their breakthrough at the World Cup is long, from Pele to Michael Owen, Thomas Muller and Mbappe himself.
The likes of James Rodriguez and Enzo Fernandez got blockbuster transfers immediately after stunning performances at past tournaments.
Now talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs has named five to watch out for at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Rayan
Team: Brazil
Age: 19
The first is the 19-year-old boy from Rio who has made an instant impact on the Premier League.
He signed a five-year contract with Bournemouth in January for around ÂŁ30m – and that feels like an absolute steal.
Rayan was a replacement for Antoine Semenyo and stepped in perfectly as the Cherries qualified for the Europa League.
Jacobs said from Los Angeles: “The Brazilian teenager could be about to announce himself on the world stage after an absolutely superb second half of the season with the Cherries, in which he scored five goals and also got two assists.Â
“Rayan is so highly rated by Bournemouth that he’s got a release clause of almost ÂŁ100million that is valid from summer 2027.Â
“Rayan at Vasco da Gama scored a ton of goals, he helped his side reach the Brazilian Cup final and the teenager is going to be one to watch and part of the new generation of young Brazilian stars as Carlo Ancelotti looks to lift this trophy.Â
“It’s a shame, by the way, that Estevao Willian is injured, otherwise he would have been my Brazilian honourable mention.”
Nico Paz
Team: Argentina
Age: 21
After coming through the Real Madrid academy, he made eight first-team appearances before joining Como in Italy.
At just six million euros, he’s been an absolute steal for the Serie A team.
Jacobs said: “Nico Paz of Argentina is a player familiar to Italian fans. He’s had a phenomenal season at Cesc Fabregas’ Como as they qualified unbelievably for the Champions League and Paz scored 12 goals and got seven assists in the process.
“Now many believe Nico Paz will be not just an elite footballer but the eventual heir to none other than Lionel Messi.Â
“He is capable of both pushing forwards and playing in a deeper role. Versatile and clinical and he could enjoy a breakout World Cup playing alongside Lionel Messi for now but eventually filling his shoes.”
Yan Diomande
Team: Ivory Coast
Age: 19
Diomande has caught the attention this season with RB Leipzig and he will be one of the big transfer stories this summer.
Leipzig paid his €20 million release clause last summer at Leganes – they can expect five times that much this summer if they have to sell.
Jacobs said: “The 19-year-old is a man in demand.
“12 goals and eight assists for Leipzig as they qualified for the Champions League and maybe that will allow them to make a play to try and get Diomande to sign a new deal.
“Yet Liverpool and PSG are watching Diomande very closely. Manchester United have considered him as well but are not a front runner and maybe even Bayern because they missed out on Anthony Gordon.
“Now Leipzig value Yan Diomande at 100 million euros. The price seems relatively steep but if he has a strong World Cup with the Ivory Coast then suddenly that number could go even higher.”
Luka Vuskovic
Team: Croatia
Age: 19
Vuskovic is already approaching 100 senior games and is one to watch for the future.
The defender, on loan at Hamburg from Spurs, picked up a whole host of awards in his breakout season.
This included Bundesliga team of the season, goal of the season, and rookie of the month five times.
Jacobs said: “Vuskovic had a really productive spell on loan from Tottenham with Hamburg and he will of course turn out for Croatia as part of the new generation.
“Spurs want to keep the player. Bayern Munich have been credited with an interest.Â
“Vuskovic made 27 appearances last season and he also contributed to six goals as well. He’s a very forward-thinking defender and somebody that Tottenham have got high hopes for.Â
“Although there is interest in the market, Spurs would like him to sign a new deal.
“He will come up against England. A lot is made of course of some of Croatia’s older players including Luka Modric, but Vuskovic is seen as the future and he could enjoy a standout World Cup.”
Ali Jasim
Team: Iraq
Age: 22
One of the more unknown quantities is the 22-year-old Jasim playing for Iraq this summer.
He made his senior debut in Iraq aged just 14 and was later signed by Como in 2024.
The forward has spent this season on loan in the Saudi Pro League.
Jacobs added: “Now two years ago at the Under-23 Asian Cup he was the top scorer and has been influential for the Saudi Pro League side Al Najma on loan from Como.
“A big prospect for the future. Very versatile and a clinical finisher and somebody that could announce himself at this World Cup for Iraq.”
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| đź“° PublicaciĂłn: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Josh Fordham |
| đź“… Fecha Original: | 2026-06-07 21:30:00 |
| đź”— Enlace: | Ver artĂculo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artĂculo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglĂ©s al español para facilitar su comprensiĂłn. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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