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5 Up-And-Coming Teenagers Who Could Emerge at the World Cup

Brazil's forward Endrick attends a training session at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 29, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (AFP)
Brazil's forward Endrick attends a training session at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 29, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (AFP)
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5 Up-And-Coming Teenagers Who Could Emerge at the World Cup

Brazil's forward Endrick attends a training session at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 29, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (AFP)
Brazil's forward Endrick attends a training session at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 29, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (AFP)

Some famous teenagers have had their breakthrough moment at the World Cup, including Pelé, who became one of football's all-time greats.

Pelé was 17 when he helped lead Brazil to the World Cup title in 1958. Kylian Mbappé was 19 when he cemented his superstar credentials by leading France to the World Cup title in 2018. Two decades earlier, England's Michael Owen had a coming-of-age moment as an 18-year-old at the 1998 World Cup in France.

The 2026 tournament will feature 22 teenagers, according to the official rosters of the 48 teams published by FIFA.

A few of them have already established themselves with top European clubs, including 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and 19-year-old Pau Cubarsí, the Spaniards who have been thriving with Barcelona for some time. Germany's 18-year-old Lennart Karl just had his breakthrough season with Bayern Munich.

Other already established players are older than 19 but are set to make their first World Cup appearances, including 20-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery and 21-year-old Désiré Doué, the France internationals who have been regulars with two-time defending Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain.

Other 21-year-olds who have been around for some time but will possibly debut at the tournament include England's Nico O’Reilly of Manchester City and Türkiye's Arda Güler of Real Madrid. Nico Paz, another 21-year-old, made Argentina’s World Cup squad after thriving with Como in the Italian league, helping the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

Here’s a look at five up-and-coming teenagers who could have breakthrough performances during soccer’s showcase event:

Gilberto Mora

One of Mexico’s most promising prospects in years, Mora could become the youngest Mexican player to appear in a World Cup at age 17. He is the youngest player among the rosters of the 48 teams playing at the tournament this year.

The midfielder has been making waves in Liga MX with Tijuana. He started for the Mexico team that won the Gold Cup in 2025.

In August 2024, he was the youngest to start and score in the Mexican first division at age 15. In January 2025, he was the youngest to debut for Mexico at 16.

Some of the top clubs reportedly scouting the teenager include Real Madrid, Barcelona and some Premier League teams.

Yan Diomande

The 19-year-old winger will star for Ivory Coast at the World Cup after impressing with Leipzig in the German league.

He moved to the United States at a young age and excelled while playing high school soccer in Florida. Diomande had trials with Major League Soccer teams Colorado and Charlotte but ended up moving to Spanish club Leganes in 2024.

It wasn’t long before Leipzig signed the promising star last year. He also debuted for the national team last year, featuring in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Endrick

The 19-year-old striker will have a chance to shine with Brazil after finishing the season well with Lyon in the French league.

Endrick thrived with Brazilian club Palmeiras before moving to Real Madrid as the next top prospect from Brazil. He had a rough start with the Spanish powerhouse and was sent on loan to Lyon, where he thrived this last season.

It was enough for new Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti to include him on the World Cup squad, where he will compete with the likes of Neymar, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and another up-and-coming teenager in 19-year-old Rayan, who impressed with Bournemouth in his first Premier League season.

Ibrahim Mbaye

The 18-year-old Mbaye became the youngest Senegalese goal scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, helping Senegal reach the final. He was 17 at the time.

The forward was a member of PSG’s academy and made his French league debut as a 16-year-old in 2024.

He made his Champions League debut last year and progressively got more playing time with PSG this season, including in the top European club competition won by the French club.

Kendry Páez

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has been a regular with Ecuador.

Chelsea struck a deal in 2023 to sign Páez from Ecuadorean club Independiente del Valle when he turned 18 in 2025. Chelsea loaned him to French club Strasbourg last year, and he is currently playing on loan with Argentine powerhouse River Plate.

A strong World Cup is likely to bring Paéz, who is known for his nifty dribbling and explosive changes of pace, back to Europe.

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Alcaraz Shines on Return, Sabalenka Begins US Open ‘Three-Peat’ Bid with Win

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates winning a match against Roman Safiullin, of Russia, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates winning a match against Roman Safiullin, of Russia, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)
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Alcaraz Shines on Return, Sabalenka Begins US Open ‘Three-Peat’ Bid with Win

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates winning a match against Roman Safiullin, of Russia, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates winning a match against Roman Safiullin, of Russia, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz won his first singles match in 139 days, while Aryna Sabalenka got her bid for a third straight US Open title off to a winning start on Monday to light up the second day of the year's final Grand Slam.

Former champion Iga Swiatek and last year's runner-up Amanda Anisimova also advanced with impressive victories while Stefanos Tsitsipas served up an upset by knocking out 10th seed Arthur Fils on a sunny afternoon in New York.

Alcaraz's condition was one of the tournament's biggest question marks after his long spell out due to a wrist injury but the Spaniard enjoyed a comfortable return to action with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 win over Russian Roman Safiullin.

"You don't know what's going to happen in the match after 4-1/2 months almost. You don't know what's going to happen ‌in your body, ‌in your mind, everything. It's totally different," Alcaraz told reporters.

"But I just tried to play ‌one ⁠game at a ⁠time and tried to feel good, to enjoy playing points, feeling the love from the people. Hopefully they enjoyed it."

The second seed's win ensured some star power remained in the men's field.

Novak Djokovic's shock defeat on Sunday left another hole in a men's draw already without injured world number one Jannik Sinner.

SABALENKA, ANISIMOVA WIN EASY

Earlier at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka looked on her way to ending a frustrating patch of poor form with a 6-2 6-4 win over Colombia's Camila Osorio that earned her a clash with Russian Polina Iatcenko in the second round.

"I'm happy with my performance," said Sabalenka, who has not reached a title match since triumphing at Indian Wells and Miami ⁠to complete the 'Sunshine Double' in March.

"She's a tough opponent, makes you work really hard to ‌get every point."

American Anisimova, whom Sabalenka beat in the final last year, got ‌her campaign off to a good start on her 25th birthday with a 6-1 6-3 win over compatriot Ashlyn Krueger at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Greece's ‌Tsitsipas upset Cincinnati winner Fils 4-6 7-6(3) 6-1 6-4 in an early match on the same court, booking a second-round ‌meeting with South African Lloyd Harris.

"It's very easy to not feel confident, especially when you haven't beaten top players in a long time," Tsitsipas said. "I'm ecstatic about today. It's an important, good victory for me, for my confidence."

MUCHOVA, NOSKOVA GO THROUGH

Seven matches that were suspended on the outer courts on Sunday due to rain resumed on Monday, as organizers benefited from the extended three-day first-round schedule after expanding the main draw to ‌15 days in 2025.

Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova got the day underway on the Grandstand with a routine 6-3 6-0 win over Sinja Kraus and the Czech seventh seed plays ⁠Briton Katie Boulter next.

Linda Noskova, who ⁠defeated compatriot Muchova in the All England Club final, downed American Katie Volynets 7-5 6-1 to stay on track for back-to-back major titles.

It was a good day for the Americans on the largest of the outdoor courts. Emma Navarro ground out a 7-6(6) 6-7(1) 6-3 win over Frenchwoman Lois Boisson, while Taylor Townsend defeated Poland's Maja Chwalinska 6-2 6-3.

China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who was forced to go through qualifying only two years after reaching the quarter-finals in New York, beat Kristina Liutova 4-6 6-3 6-1.

Zheng's progress has stalled and her ranking has plummeted since an elbow injury forced her to undergo surgery last year.

Polish eighth seed Swiatek, the 2022 champion, beat China's Wang Xiyu 6-2 6-3 to kick off the night session on the second showcourt.

Another former winner, Stan Wawrinka, fell to Italy's Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 7-6(3) 6-0. The 41-year-old Swiss bid goodbye to the Grand Slam for the final time before his retirement at the end of the season.

Home hope Ben Shelton overcame Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 1-6 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2 before Frances Tiafoe prevailed 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 in an all-American clash with Martin Damm.

Naomi Osaka unveiled another bold Grand Slam walk-on outfit before showing plenty of fight for a 7-6(6) 7-6(3) victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova in a late-finishing match.

Sports

Emotional Wawrinka Falls to Berrettini in Last Grand Slam

Stan Wawrinka, of Switzerland, gestures after he lost his match to Matteo Berrettini, of Italy, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Stan Wawrinka, of Switzerland, gestures after he lost his match to Matteo Berrettini, of Italy, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)
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Emotional Wawrinka Falls to Berrettini in Last Grand Slam

Stan Wawrinka, of Switzerland, gestures after he lost his match to Matteo Berrettini, of Italy, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)
Stan Wawrinka, of Switzerland, gestures after he lost his match to Matteo Berrettini, of Italy, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in New York. (AP)

Former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka bade farewell to Grand Slam tennis on Monday, losing in straight sets to Italian Matteo Berrettini in the opening round at Flushing Meadows.

Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion who will retire after 2026, fought neck and neck with the Italian for the first two sets before his level dropped in a quickly-played third set. The score was 7-6, 7-6,6-0.

Cheers of "Let's Go Stan!" and "We love you, Stan" emanated from the crowd.

But Wawrinka -- alone with Andy Murray as the only players to win multiple Grand Slams in a period dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic -- couldn't mount a comeback.

The match ended with a Berrettini drop shot. Following an embrace of the Berrettini at the net, Berrettini saluted Wawrinka, drawing loud applause.

"This opportunity to finish here was really meaningful for myself," said Wawrinka, who became a bit teary in a short speech following a brief on-court celebration of his career.

"I'm going to miss it for sure," he added after the match on the Grandstand stadium, the third biggest court at the US Open.

Wawrinka, currently ranked 127th, was only able to play at the US Open after being granted a late wildcard when original wildcard recipient Patrick Kypson withdrew with injury.

Tennis fan Ryan Loar said he was disappointed with the original wildcard snub by the US Tennis Association but praised tournament organizers for the on-court celebration of Wawrinka's career, which included a video of his greatest moments at the New York Grand Slam.

The crowd cheered loudly at a replay of match point from the 2016 final when Wawrinka lifted his arms after an overhit return from favorite Djokovic gave the Swiss player the trophy.

"It's just an underdog story," Loar said. "It's so fun."

Loar was part of a group of eight San Francisco-based fans donning gray "Stan the Man" t-shirts the group ordered after the wildcard was announced and had delivered to their hotel.

Sports

Lionel Messi Says He’s Retiring from Playing for Argentina

19 July 2026, US, East Rutherford: Argentina's Lionel Messi stands in the stadium before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina, at New York-New Jersey Stadium. (dpa)
19 July 2026, US, East Rutherford: Argentina's Lionel Messi stands in the stadium before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina, at New York-New Jersey Stadium. (dpa)
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Lionel Messi Says He’s Retiring from Playing for Argentina

19 July 2026, US, East Rutherford: Argentina's Lionel Messi stands in the stadium before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina, at New York-New Jersey Stadium. (dpa)
19 July 2026, US, East Rutherford: Argentina's Lionel Messi stands in the stadium before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina, at New York-New Jersey Stadium. (dpa)

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday after two decades representing Argentina.

“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deeply — but I understand that the time has come,” the 39-year-old Messi said on his Instagram account.

“I swear to you that I always gave it my all — not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.”

Messi played in a record-tying six World Cups, won it in 2022 in Qatar and led Argentina to this year's final, losing to Spain in extra time in New Jersey.

He explained he wrote his retirement letter on June 21 — two days after the World Cup final — but waited to publish it because his father was facing health issues that eventually claimed his life.

Jorge Messi died on Aug. 8 in his native Rosario.

Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami. Over the weekend he scored four times in a 7-1 win over CF Montreal.

He made his Argentina debut in 2006, but his journey was fraught with frustration until he finally lifted the World Cup in 2022.

“Thank you for all the love these past 20 years," he said. "I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’m going to be one of you, cheering and supporting you from the outside (through thick and thin, even more so).”

In the letter, the Inter Miami captain did not say how long he intends to continue playing.

“I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you — along with my teammates — moments we once only dreamed of. Experiencing this with you was incredible. I love you all,” he added.

The second retirement Messi's stellar recent success with Argentina nearly didn’t happen.

A decade ago, before the World Cup triumph and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, he retired from the national team. The decision followed Argentina's defeat in the 2016 Copa América final to Chile on penalty kicks, one of which he missed.

But Messi shook off the notion of not being able to win the big match. He continued starring for Barcelona, then Paris Saint-Germain, then Inter Miami.

He’s the two-time defending Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer, the star of the league reigning champion, someone who still creates goals in the biggest moments.

“He is pure history,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during the recent World Cup. “History. A legend.”