World Cup 2026 Best Young Player odds: Breakout stars to watch

Most of the best footballers on the planet are poised to gather in North America over the next few weeks, as the USA, Canada and Mexico host World Cup 2026.

As well as established stars like Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi, the tournament will also feature some of the most promising prospects in the game.

The traditional waiting period for young talent has vanished, with teenage starlets now making a bigger impact than ever before. The generation of youngsters born between 2007 and 2009 possesses the sort of tactical maturity and spatial awareness that historically was not seen until the mid-20s.

The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, together with the heat and humidity in much of North America, creates a structural necessity for high-intensity, high-recovery young football players. This could be the World Cup of breakout stars.

Our top picks for the Young Player of the Tournament title are below, along with the best UK football bookies to bet on them:

• Antonio Nusa – 12/1 with BetVictor
• Arda Guler – 12/1 with BetVictor
• Pau Cubarsi – 20/1 with BOYLESports
• Gilberto Mora – 66/1 with bet365
• Ibrahim Mbaye – 80/1 with bet365

World Cup “locked in” wonderkids

At World Cups in previous decades, youngsters often became overnight superstars after shining for their national teams. With the information available to us today, we can more accurately predict which precocious talents will make an impact.

Spain’s defensive playmaker: Pau Cubarsi

Pau Cubarsi is only 19 years old, but he reads the game as if he is a seasoned professional who has seen it all before.

The teenager leads La Liga in passing metrics from centre-back, with his ability to act as an auxiliary playmaker from deep forming a significant part of Spain’s structural foundation.

Bet on Pau Cubarsi to take the World Cup wunderkind title at 20/1 with BOYLESports

Mexico’s host nation prodigy: Gilberto Mora

Mexican football is waiting for its next star to emerge, and that player could be Gilberto Mora. The youngest ever Liga MX scorer and a Gold Cup winner at 17, the diminutive attacking midfielder is an exceptional talent.

Mexico’s medical staff are prioritising his fitness ahead of their opening game on June 11.

Bet on Gilberto Mora to become the Young Player of the Tournament at 66/1 with bet365

Norway’s X-Factor: Antonio Nusa

Erling Haaland might be the headline-maker, but Norway do not have a one-man attack. Antonio Nusa will be a thorn in the side of every full-back he faces this summer.

His 51 successful dribbles in the Bundesliga demonstrate his capacity to give opposition defenders twisted blood. Nusa will stretch backlines and create space for Haaland.

Bet on Antonio Nusa to be the next best Young Player at 12/1 with BetVictor

The Turkish gem: Arda Guler

Turkey are back at the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, and their hopes of a successful tournament rest on the young shoulders of Arda Guler.

The 21-year-old is the technical heartbeat of the Turkey squad, although it may take him a couple of games to rediscover his sharpness after a recent hamstring injury.

Bet on Arda Guler to be the World Cup’s best Young Player at 12/1 with BetVictor

Senegal: Ibrahim Mbaye

You have to be a special talent to become Paris Saint-Germain’s youngest ever starter during the most successful period of the club’s history.

Ibrahim Mbaye broke that club record in 2024/25, and now he is aiming to show what he can do on the biggest stage of all. Mbaye is the ultimate super-sub for knockout phase transitions.

Bet on Ibrahim Mbaye to be the best Young Player at World Cup 2026 at 80/1 with bet365

Argentina’s next-gen: Nico Paz 

Nico Paz was the driving force behind Como’s surprise fourth-place finish in Serie A. The attacking midfielder scored 12 goals and provided six assists for Cesc Fabregas’ side, demonstrating he is ready to make an impact.

Lionel Messi has praised his tactical understanding, saying of Paz that “he understands the game perfectly”. However, with recent injuries creating rumours around his appearance at the World Cup, we can’t yet make a prediction for him to win the title, and neither can the bookies.

The scouting watchlist

Some young FIFA World Cup players are already well known, whereas others will be looking to grow in stature once the tournament gets under way. In this section, we highlight a few unfamiliar names who have the potential to impress this summer.

Kerim Alajbegovic – Bosnia & Herzegovina

An 18-year-old winger, Kerim Alajbegovic caught the eye in the UEFA play-offs against Wales and Italy, as Bosnia & Herzegovina defied the odds to qualify for the finals.

A summer switch from Red Bull Salzburg to Bayer Leverkusen has already been arranged, but Alajbegovic might not be with the German side for long.

Can Uzun – Turkey

Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz are the most well-known Turkish attackers, but Can Uzun has the quality to shine at World Cup 2026 too.

The attacking midfielder scored 10 goals and provided four assists for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga and the Champions League last season. Uzun could be Turkey’s next superstar.

Kojo Peprah Oppong – Ghana

Ghana are one of the lowest-ranked teams to have qualified for the World Cup, so their defence is bound to be tested this summer.

Thankfully for the Black Stars, they have Kojo Peprah Oppong at the back. The 21-year-old earned rave reviews in France after making 43 appearances for Nice in 2025/26.

England fans will get to watch him in Group L.

Betting on World Cup 2026 young football players

There are several World Cup betting opportunities with regard to young football players at the upcoming tournament. Here are five pointers to set you on your way.

• Focus on playing time. Try to work out which youngsters will get meaningful minutes and which ones will not. You cannot make an impression while sitting on the bench, no matter how talented you are.
• Check form and fitness. If a young player excels in a warm-up friendly, he is in a better position to shine at the World Cup than someone who picks up an injury just before the tournament. 
• Monitor the fixture list. A manager is unlikely to throw in an untested young player against one of the favourites to win the World Cup. But in the third group game when the team has already qualified, an appearance is much more likely. 
• Search for value. If the bookies appear to be underrating one of the prospects covered in our article, that makes them an attractive bet. But if the potential profit is too slim to be worthwhile, look elsewhere.
• Do not chase losses. This applies across the board, but it is never wise to try and recover money lost on previous bets. Settle on a strategy and stick with it, and do not bet more than you can afford to lose.

Post World Cup prediction: What is next for these emerging talents?

Scouts, managers and sporting directors will be watching World Cup 2026 closely, as European club sides look to improve their squads ahead of next season. A strong showing at a World Cup acts as a valuation multiplier and can help put players in the shop window.

Here are three youngsters who have already been linked with a transfer this summer.

Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig → Liverpool)

Liverpool are set for a busy summer following the sacking of Arne Slot and the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. Salah will be the toughest of the trio to replace, even if he was not at his best in 2025/26. 

Yan Diomande is a possible successor to the Egypt international, as reported by talkSPORT. An £86.4m valuation means the Ivory Coast forward will not come cheap, but the RB Leipzig wide man looks to have a big future ahead of him. Still only 19, Diomande has the quality to light up the World Cup.

Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge → Chelsea)

Chelsea will be in the market for at least one new centre-back this summer, as Xabi Alonso looks to put his own stamp on the team. Joel Ordonez has been mentioned in connection with the Blues, while Liverpool has emerged as a possible destination for the Ecuadorian more recently.

Chelsea are thought to be in pole position for his signature, however, and Moises Caicedo may attempt to persuade him to move to Stamford Bridge during their time together in the Ecuador camp. A fee of £40m could be enough to prise Ordonez away from Club Brugge, where he won the Belgian title last term.

Johan Manzambi (Freiburg → Premier League)

Johan Manzambi has a whole host of suitors keeping a close eye on his development. The 20-year-old midfielder played a major part in Freiburg’s run to the Europa League final last season, and he has now turned his attention to supporting Switzerland’s bid for a successful summer in North America.

Freiburg will not want to lose one of their most important players, but they are not in the financial position to keep hold of him if the Premier League comes calling. A box-to-box midfielder who contributes in every phase of the game, Manzambi would have no trouble dealing with the physicality of the English game.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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