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2026 World Cup Rosters Feature 22 Teenagers, Matching Historical Youth Breakthroughs
FIFA published official rosters showing 22 players aged 19 or younger across the 48 teams. Several have already played for top European clubs and senior national teams.
Jun 10, 7:30 AM·2m read1 source
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The 2026 World Cup will feature 22 teenagers according to the official rosters of the 48 teams published by FIFA. The number matches a pattern of young players breaking through at the tournament, including Pelé at 17 for Brazil in 1958, Kylian Mbappé at 19 for France in 2018, and Michael Owen at 18 for England in 1998. Gilberto Mora of Mexico is the youngest player on any roster at 17.
The midfielder plays for Tijuana in Liga MX. He started for the Mexico team that won the Gold Cup in 2025. In August 2024 he became the youngest player to start and score in the Mexican first division at age 15.
In January 2025 he became the youngest to debut for Mexico at age 16. He played in a FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina at National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
Yan Diomande, 19, will represent Ivory Coast. The winger plays for Leipzig in the German league. He moved to the United States at a young age and played high school soccer in Florida. He had trials with MLS teams Colorado and Charlotte before joining Spanish club Leganes in 2024.
Leipzig signed him in 2025. He debuted for Ivory Coast in 2025 and featured in the Africa Cup of Nations, including a match against Burkina Faso in Marrakech, Morocco, on Jan. 6, 2026. Endrick, 19, is included in Brazil’s squad.
The striker finished the season with Lyon in the French league after a loan from Real Madrid. He previously played for Palmeiras. New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti selected him. He played in a friendly against Panama in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Brazil’s squad also includes 19-year-old Rayan, who impressed with Bournemouth in his first Premier League season. Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, is in Senegal’s squad. He became the youngest Senegalese goal scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier in 2026 at age 17, helping Senegal reach the final.
