The FIFA World Cup is undoubtedly the biggest prize in world football. It’s a trophy every player wants to add to their glittering collection.
With Lionel Messi having fulfilled his long-awaited World Cup dream with Argentina in 2022, it will be exciting to see which nation follows suit in 2026.
The World Cup is not just a stage for the experienced players to shine, but also a great opportunity for the young guns to make a mark on the biggest stage of them all. Next year’s edition will be no different, with a new set of young talent set to participate and set the tournament ablaze with their incredible skills and match-winning performances.
Here, we take a look at the ten most valuable youngsters who will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Note: The current market values for each player have been sourced from Transfermarkt.
The Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão made a move from Palmeiras to Chelsea for £29 million ahead of the 2025/26 season, and so far the signing is proving to be a masterstroke. His current valuation in the transfer market has already risen to €80 million, but given his undeniable talent and early promising performances, this number is very likely to soar even higher.
Estêvão prefers to play on the right wing, but he can also be deployed centrally. He’s already a regular in the Brazilian national team setup, having earned 11 caps for the Seleção since his debut in November 2024.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has been seemingly very impressed with the youngster, and there is a strong possibility that Estêvão will feature regularly at the World Cup for Brazil next year. He has already impressed many in the Premier League and will be one to look out for in the summer.
One of Liverpool’s best players during their title-winning run last season, Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is also a crucial part of the Oranje. Gravenberch joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich for €40 million in 2023.
After being out of favour at Bayern, Gravenberch didn’t get much game time under Jürgen Klopp either, but his fortunes changed under new Reds boss Arne Slot, who played him deeper in midfield. Due to his consistent performances last season, not only did Gravenberch win the league title with Liverpool, he also established himself as a regular in the Dutch national team setup. As a result, his market value has had a tremendous rise and currently reads €90 million.
Next year will mark Gravenberch’s first appearance at the World Cup, having missed out in 2022. A product of the famous Ajax academy, Gravenberch has already made 24 appearances for the Netherlands since his debut in 2021.
Gravenberch is a technical midfielder who can receive the ball on the turn under pressure and escape the opposition press with ease and can also score from long range. With the Netherlands being one of the contenders for the World Cup trophy, Gravenberch will have a huge role to play in their midfield to help finally take the World Cup crown for themselves.
Portugal will be led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo next year, and it may be his last appearance at the World Cup. Portugal possess a host of top talents in their ranks, and João Neves is one of them.
At only 21 years of age, the midfielder has already won many trophies, having completed a historic treble with Paris Saint-Germain last season before lifting the Nations League trophy with Portugal. Neves joined PSG in the summer of 2024 from Portuguese club Benfica for €60 million. Due to his on-field success and contributions to both club and country triumphs, his transfer value has risen to €110 million.
Neves is a tenacious midfielder who might not be physically strong but possesses great technical ability, composure, and work rate, all attributes of a top-class midfielder. Having represented Portugal at the 2024 Euros, he is set for his World Cup debut. And if Ronaldo wants to fulfil his dream of a World Cup trophy, Neves might have to put in a huge shift in that Portugal midfield.
Florian Wirtz has been touted as one of the best talents produced in Germany for quite a while. Deployed mainly as an attacking midfielder, Wirtz won the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 season, with Xabi Alonso’s side losing just one game all season — the Europa League final.
The talented German caught the eye of many top European clubs but decided to move to Liverpool ahead of the 2025/26 season for a whopping £116 million, and while a slow start to life in Merseyside has lowered his market valuation, it still stands at a staggering €110 million.
Wirtz is a playmaker who contributes heavily with assists and goals. Though he has struggled with the Reds so far, his form for country has remained largely unaffected, and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann considers him one of the most crucial players in his setup.
The 22-year-old will definitely be one of the players to watch at the upcoming World Cup, with his contributions in front of goal being critical for Germany’s chances of going all the way.
Moisés Caicedo is currently one of the best defensive midfielders not just in the Premier League but also in world football. Caicedo first gained attention when he played for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. His consistent performances for the Seagulls alerted many top clubs, and Chelsea had to engage in a bidding war with Liverpool to get their man for £100 million plus £15 million in add-ons, which was a British record fee for a player in 2023.
The Ecuador international is currently valued at €110 million. He was instrumental in Chelsea winning the UEFA Conference League last season, as well as winning the FIFA Club World Cup and securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League. He has also helped Ecuador qualify for next year’s World Cup.
At just 24 years old, Caicedo is a regular starter for club and country and has already made 58 appearances for his country since making his senior debut in 2020. Without a doubt, he will be one to watch at the World Cup next year, ready to leave a mark on the greatest stage of them all.
Cole Palmer’s redemption at Chelsea after not making it big at Manchester City has been quite a remarkable story. Palmer joined Chelsea in 2023 for a sum of £40 million with £2.5 million in add-ons. Since then, he has become one of the most crucial players for the Blues and the Three Lions.
Palmer has been instrumental in Chelsea winning major silverware this year, making a telling contribution during their Club World Cup and Conference League triumphs. The 23-year-old was also a part of the English squad that reached the final of the 2024 Euros.
Ranking eighth in the race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Palmer’s current market valuation stands at €120 million, marking a massive surge since his move to Stamford Bridge.
Palmer is also an attacker who can occupy several positions across the front line. England coach Thomas Tuchel will expect him to stay fit and contribute heavily for England in a bid to end their six-decade-long quest for major silverware.
London-born Michael Olise is set to represent France at his World Cup debut next year. Olise garnered praise and attention in the Premier League while playing for Crystal Palace. As a result, big clubs came calling and he made the move to Bavarian giants Bayern Munich in 2024 for €60 million.
Since then, the 24-year-old has made waves in the German Bundesliga, putting up incredible numbers. Olise has been representing France right from the U18 setup. Since making his senior team debut in 2024, he has earned 19 caps for Les Bleus.
His consistent performances and contributions over the last year have seen his market value soar to a mammoth €130 million, as he continues to impress with both club and country.
Olise is a complete winger, boasting exquisite close control, dribbling, and finishing skills. Even in a highly talented French team with the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Hugo Ekitike, and Ousmane Dembélé, he could prove to be a vital player and a difference-maker at the World Cup next year.
Though Musiala was part of the England youth setup until 2020, he decided to represent Germany at the senior level in 2021 and was included in their squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Musiala initially trained at the Chelsea academy before moving to Bayern Munich in 2019 to join their youth ranks. The Bayern coaching staff soon recognised his prodigious talent and moved him to the first team. Since then, consistent performances have exponentially raised his market valuation, which currently stands at an incredible €140 million.
Though there have been speculations around his participation at next year’s World Cup due to an unfortunate long-term injury sustained ahead of this season, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is hopeful and considers Musiala a vital part of his plans. If Musiala recovers in time, we could be in for a treat, and Germany may be in for a deep run.
Jude Bellingham rose through the ranks at EFL Championship club Birmingham City, becoming their youngest player to start for the senior team. From there on, his journey to Real Madrid and the England national team has been a quick one due to his tremendous skill and talent. Real Madrid procured the services of the talented Englishman from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023 for an initial transfer fee of €103 million.
Having secured major silverware in his first season at Real Madrid, and having also helped England reach the final of the 2024 Euros, Bellingham’s market value currently stands at a massive €160 million. The 22-year-old already has 46 caps for England, and if he continues on his current trajectory, he’ll very likely take the captain’s armband in due time.
Bellingham is one of the most talented young midfielders in the world right now, and his presence will certainly help England make an impact at the 2026 World Cup.
Undoubtedly, Lamine Yamal is one of the most talented young players in the world right now, if not the best. At just 18 years old, he secured second place at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards. The Spain international is arguably the most exciting player to break through from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy since Lionel Messi himself.
At just 16 years old, Yamal made a massive impact for Spain at the 2024 Euros, helping them go all the way. At club level, his extraordinary performances in the 2024/25 season helped Barça to secure a domestic treble and reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Yamal is the most valuable player in the world right now, valued by Transfermarkt at a staggering €200 million. He has already made more than 100 appearances for the Blaugrana and 23 appearances for Spain. It’s a scary proposition how much better he can become in the years to come, given he is already terrorising defenders at 18.
Next year will mark Yamal’s first World Cup appearance. Given how much he has grown in the time since Spain won the Euros last year, both he and La Roja will warrant keeping an eye on throughout the summer.
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