Five young players to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City

With the World Cup set to begin in about two weeks, some of soccer’s biggest stars, including Argentina’s Lionel Messi, the Netherlands’ Virgil Van Dijk, England’s Harry Kane and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, will lead their countries’ teams into base camp in the Kansas City area in preparation for the beginning of group play.

While the superstars will grab most of the headlines, several talented young players are preparing to take the World Cup stage for the first time and could steal the spotlight in the World Cup’s opening games.

Here are five players age 21 or younger to watch from the teams stationed in Kansas City — either playing or base-camping — for the World Cup.

Nico O’Reilly, left back/midfielder, England

The 21-year-old Nico O’Reilly announced himself to the soccer world during his breakout 2025-26 season with English club Manchester City, earning Premier League Young Player of the Season honors and establishing himself as one of the best left backs in the league.

O’Reilly contributed 15 goals and assists in all competitions this season and played a pivotal role in Man City winning the Carabao Cup, where O’Reilly scored both goals in City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal.

His spectacular season made him an obvious selection for England manager Thomas Tuchel’s squad, where O’Reilly is the favorite to start at left back. O’Reilly is at his best when he can showcase technical ability going forward, often wandering into midfield as an extra passing option or bombing down the wing to put in dangerous crosses in the attacking final third.

His attacking talent is matched by his ability to defend in his own box, and he can fill in as a defensive midfielder, giving an already elite England squad one of the most versatile players in the tournament.

Nico Paz, attacking midfielder, Argentina

The 2022 World Cup champions already have an abundance of attacking talent headlined by the legendary Lionel Messi and prolific strikers Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.

But the future of Argentine soccer is 20-year-old attacking midfielder Nico Paz, who earned a spot on Argentina’s World Cup squad after scoring 12 goals and six assists this past season, earning the best midfielder award in Italy’s Serie A and leading his club Como to 4th in the league standings.

Como secured a Champions League spot for the first time in the club’s history.

Paz isn’t projected to start games for Argentina with former World Cup champions Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández ahead of him, but look for Paz to showcase his attacking talent against weaker opposition in group play or as an attacking sub if Argentina needs a goal.

Kobbie Mainoo, midfielder, England

Some believed that 21-year-old central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo had already broken out on the international stage for England during the 2024 European Championships when, as a 19-year-old, he earned a spot in England’s starting midfield and became the youngest player ever to play in a major tournament semifinal and final on England’s run to the Euro final before losing to Spain.

But after a tumultuous start to the 2025 season, Mainoo fell out of Manchester United’s midfield rotation under former manager Ruben Amorim, causing some to wonder if the English talent would do enough to earn a spot on the World Cup squad.

However, under newly appointed United manager Michael Carrick, Mainoo has returned to his best, helping Manchester United finish third in the Premier League and reestablishing his place as one of England’s midfield options.

Mainoo’s combination of physicality and ball-carrying ability allows him to play as either a central or defensive midfielder. He could play a pivotal role in an England team that is one of the tournament favorites.

Jorrel Hato, center back, Netherlands

Jorrel Hato was one of the most sought-after young center backs this past year, becoming one of the youngest players in history to wear the captain’s armband for the Dutch club Ajax before moving to English club Chelsea, where he made 36 appearances across all competitions and started 12 Premier League games.

The 20-year-old is not projected to break into the Netherlands’ starting defense, with veteran center backs Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake and left back Micky van de Ven ahead of him in the pecking order.

He could be called into action as a defensive substitute at either center or left back in a pinch and could become a starter if any of the Dutch starting defenders pick up an injury during the tournament.

Ibrahim Maza, attacking midfielder, Algeria

Algeria returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 and will bring the ninth-youngest squad in the entire World Cup field, highlighted by 20-year-old attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza.

The Algerian contributed 11 goals and assists across all competitions in his first season with German club Bayer Leverkusen.

Maza will likely start games as an attacking midfielder but can also play on the right wing. He will be tasked with creating goal-scoring opportunities for winger Riyad Mahrez and striker Amine Gouiri as Algeria looks to contend with Argentina and advance from Group J.