Many up-and-coming stars are set to make their FIFA World Cup debuts this year
The coveted accolade is seen as a barometer for the stars of tomorrow
The last four winners of the award have all lifted the World Cup Trophy
The will once again be one of the most prestigious individual honours up for grabs at the . Previous winners have included the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Muller and Enzo Fernandez, the latter claiming the award at Qatar 2022.
With a host of young stars once more raring to go and hoping to make their mark on football’s biggest stage in the weeks to come, FIFA takes a look at some of the most likely winners of the accolade.
Doue only turned 21 last week, but since joining Paris Saint-Germain in mid-2024, he has won the UEFA Champions League twice, the and every major club honour going in France. With 24 goal contributions to his name last season, the winger was once again a major part of the Parisian giants’ success, and an impressive World Cup campaign with Les Bleus could see him establish himself among the world’s elite once and for all.
Neves moved to the French capital in mid-2024 – like Doue – and quickly became a key cog in the PSG engine room. The Portuguese midfielder, who came through the ranks at Benfica, is known for his tireless work rate, his footballing intelligence and his composure on the ball. If Portugal do well in North America, he will likely be in the mix for the Best Young Player Award.
After a difficult start to life at Real Madrid, 19-year-old Endrick showed his undoubted potential with an eye-catching loan spell at Olympique Lyon in the second half of last season. With 16 goal contributions in just 24 appearances, he was indispensable to the French outfit, and he will now be hoping to carry that form into the World Cup with Brazil.
Cubarsi had established himself at the heart of the Barcelona defence by the age of 17 under former coach Xavi Hernandez, and is likely to be a starter for Spain at the World Cup. No defender has ever won the Best Young Player Award, but that could change if Cubarsi impresses in North America.
The third PSG player on this list is also heading into the World Cup after another success-laden season at club level. Whether this versatile midfielder has a realistic chance of lifting the award may well depend on whether he can force his way into a star-studded French team or will have to settle for a role as a supersub.
Guler took a little while to find his feet at Real Madrid, but things took a turn for the better for this attacking maestro last season. With 20 goal contributions and his seemingly boundless creativity, Guler is now a regular starter in the Spanish capital and, alongside Kenan Yildiz, will be one of Türkiye’s greatest hopes in North America.
Nusa’s impressive record with Norway makes him a strong contender for the award. Seventeen goal contributions in 24 international appearances so far speak volumes for this young left winger, who could well help the Norwegians be one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
Nusa’s Leipzig team-mate enjoyed a meteoric rise last season with 23 goal involvements, and he could, at the age of just 19, become one of Côte d’Ivoire’s key players. His pace and two-footedness make him difficult to read and a nightmare for opposition defenders.
This attacking midfielder established himself in the first team in the second half of his debut season at Bayer Leverkusen and has been a fixture in the Algerian side since 2024. Drawn into a tough group with Argentina, Austria and Jordan, the North Africans will need to draw on all his creative flair if they are to reach the knockout stages.
Pep Guardiola has transformed O’Reilly from an attacking playmaker into one of the world’s best left-backs, and the young Mancunian is likely to be a regular for Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions as well. He is already known for his versatility, his ability to withstand the press and his close ball control, and he will be looking to build on another impressive season with the Cityzens.
Paez, 19, already has more than 25 Ecuador caps to his name. Chelsea secured his signature in mid-2025, and although he is primarily an attacking midfielder, his versatility means that coach Sebastian Beccacece can deploy him in almost any position at the cutting edge of the team, depending on the opposition.
This attacking midfielder is one of Mexico’s most promising players and was involved in seven goals in 20 appearances for Club Tijuana last season. Mora is another who will be eager to make a name for himself on the world stage.
Born in Tenerife, this young Argentinian came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and moved to Serie A outfit Como in mid-2024, quickly blossoming into one of the most exciting young players in the world under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas. Paz boasts outstanding technique and an exceptional reading of the game, which could well make him a pivotal figure in Argentina’s title defence.
Güler’s partner in the Turkish attack has already won 28 international caps and has been a regular in Vincenzo Montella’s squad since 2023. A two-footed playmaker, Yildiz was involved in a total of 21 goals for Juventus last season and will be looking to make a splash at the World Cup too.
It is sometimes easy to forget that Yamal – a key player for Barcelona and Spain for the past three years – is still only 18. He is going into the World Cup on the back of yet another sparkling season, with 42 goal contributions in 45 appearances for the Catalans, and all eyes will surely once again be on this talented winger.
Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive gem spent last season on loan at Hamburg and was instrumental in helping them secure Bundesliga safety following their return to the German top flight. He will also be one of Croatia’s main men in North America when the 2018 runners-up take on England, Ghana and Panama in Group L.
Sources: FIFA Official
