Nigeria: 10 young stars to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
A new wave of talent is set to shine when the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. While legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé will still draw attention, this tournament could belong to the next generation of football stars. Here are ten young players poised to make their mark.
The Barcelona winger has already shown world-class ability, even if a hamstring injury may keep him out of Spain’s opener. When he returns, Yamal’s creativity and composure could make him the frontrunner for Young Player of the Tournament. With Spain’s strong squad behind him, he has a real chance to be central to La Roja’s title push.
Real Madrid’s attacking midfielder has become a regular this season, scoring with remarkable technique and vision. Though Turkey may struggle to go deep in the tournament, Güler’s flair and confidence make him one of the most exciting playmakers to watch
After limited minutes with Brazil recently, Endrick has found form on loan at Lyon. In just half a season, he’s scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 15 appearances. The striker’s pace and finishing have made him one of Lyon’s standout performers.
With Toni Kroos retired, Bayern Munich’s Pavlović has stepped into Germany’s midfield with maturity beyond his years. He’s already made nine senior appearances for the national team and could be key to Germany’s rhythm in midfield as they aim for a deep run.
After starring in Spain’s 2024 Olympic gold medal run, López has become one of Europe’s most productive midfielders. He currently leads all midfielders in Europe for combined goals and assists. Even if he doesn’t start, his energy and goal threat will give Spain options off the bench.
Nusa helped Norway qualify for their first World Cup alongside Erling Haaland. The RB Leipzig forward describes himself as “a producer of havoc” in the style of Neymar. Born to a Nigerian father and Norwegian mother, his direct dribbling and fearlessness make him a player clubs across Europe are monitoring.
Mbaye made history in January 2026 as the youngest Senegalese scorer in AFCON history. Now at PSG, he’s already contributed a goal and two assists as a substitute. His rapid rise has even caught Aston Villa’s attention, and Senegal will be counting on his pace and confidence.
From Benfica’s youth system to a key role at PSG, Neves has developed quickly. The midfielder blends defensive discipline with composure on the ball and is expected to play a significant role for Portugal’s star-studded squad.
On loan from Real Madrid to Como, Paz has been outstanding in Serie A with 12 goals and six assists in 34 games. Coach Lionel Scaloni has already given him minutes in qualifiers, and the creative midfielder is likely to be part of Argentina’s title defense.
In just two years, Cubarsí has gone from Barcelona academy player to one of Europe’s most reliable young defenders. His ball control and tactical awareness are unusual for his age, and after winning Olympic gold, he’ll be aiming for another podium finish in North America.
The 2026 World Cup won’t just be about established names. For these ten players, it’s a chance to announce themselves to the world and shape the future of the game.
