The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history – a record 1,248 players are eligible to feature across the United States, Canada and Mexico – but it is also the most unproven. Of those players, 891 are at their first tournament, and among them are two teenagers who could define the next month.
At 17 years and a few months, Mexico's attacking midfielder Elias Mora is the youngest player at the World Cup. Nicknamed 'the Mexican Pedri' and 'Crackito' (Little Maestro) by Spanish press after he starred against Spain at the Under-20 World Cup last year, Mora has already become Mexico's youngest senior player (aged 16) and youngest goalscorer in Liga MX history. He started the Gold Cup final last summer, helping Mexico beat Mauricio Pochettino's United States 2-1 in Houston. Now, coach Javier Aguirre has included him in the squad, and home hopes will rest on him when Mexico open the tournament against South Africa at the Azteca – if he can find a starting berth.
“Two teenagers – a 17-year-old Mexican wonderkid and a £112m Ivorian winger – are poised to be breakout stars at the 2026 World Cup.”
BBC Radio 5 Live's John Murray called him a "wonderkid", while the Spanish-born teenager is reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid and Manchester City. For now, he plays for Tijuana, but a big European move seems inevitable.
Then there is the winger who cost a bargain fee just a year ago and is now valued at more than £112m. Abdul Diomande, 19, of RB Leipzig, has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich, but Leipzig insist he is not for sale. The Bundesliga rookie of the season winner joined from Spanish side Leganes in July 2025 for just 20m euros (£17.2m) and immediately delivered – 21 goal contributions (12 goals, nine assists) in 33 league appearances to help Leipzig qualify for the Champions League. He spent three years living in Florida after moving to the United States aged 15, so the North American environment will be familiar. A shoulder injury forced him to miss March friendlies against South Korea and Scotland, but he started last week's shock World Cup warm-up win over France and looks certain to keep his place.
BBC commentator Steve Wilson noted that Diomande is "one of the most sought-after signatures of the summer", but for now his focus is on the World Cup. The Ivory Coast winger will be one of the breakout stars if he can replicate his club form.
With the tournament kicking off in days, both teenagers have the stage set. One is the youngest player in the competition, the other the most expensive teenager in the world. The World Cup has a history of launching careers – these two look ready to be next.