There are few things more exciting in football than a young player breaking through and making their mark in the beautiful game.
Despite the ever-increasing psychical and mental demands to reach the top, the global sport is blessed with a stack of hot talents that are leading the way on the biggest stages.
As we head into this summer’s World Cup in North America, we’ve taken on the task of ranking the best young players on the block – that is those who are 23 and under at the time of writing.
After looking at recent form, trophies won, impact for club and county, future potential, as well as some juicy stats, we’ve crunched the numbers to build a list of the hottest prospects on the planet.
Some big names miss out, but that just speaks to the quality in the generation of players that are starting to really make their mark.
RadioTimes.com brings you our definitive list of the 10 best young football players in the world in 2026.
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10. Estevao (Chelsea)
There’s something special about a Brazilian wonderkid, isn’t there? Estevao already has pulses racing in West London, having hit the ground running for Chelsea in the Premier League since his switch from Palmeiras in 2025.
The 19-year-old plays with a fearlessness, that combined with his quick feet and direct running, makes him a tricky customer to stop. A serious injury has stunted his progression and made him miss out on Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup, but he’s destined for the top.
9. Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
He only turned 20 a few months ago, but Warren Zaïre-Emery has already made more than 180 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, which is a clue that we’re dealing with a proper talent.
A force to be reckoned with at the base of midfield, Zaïre-Emery is already a serial trophy winner, having played his part in PSG becoming the first team in a decade to retain the Champions League crown. A proper breakthrough at international level is surely his next objective.
8. Désiré Doué (PSG)
Désiré Doué is an entertainer. It’s as simple as that. The PSG winger’s lightning pace and dazzling footwork are a joy to watch, but he is certainly not lacking in end product either, with more than 50 goal contributions in a little over 100 appearances for the club.
Still just 21, it really does feel like the sky is the limit for the man the French giants paid €50 million for in 2024. After lifting the Champions League again, he will be looking to get his hands on the World Cup trophy this summer.
7. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Jamal Musiala’s sky-high talent has been clear for years now. The attacking midfielder has been carving up opposition defences for Bayern Munich and Germany since breaking through as a teenager in 2020/21.
The 23-year-old caught the eye at Euro 2024 and will hope to do the same at the World Cup. Lifting the trophy would be a full circle moment for Musiala after suffering a serious leg injury at last summer’s Club World Cup in North America.
6. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
It’s fair to say Florian Wirtz endured a challenging debut season at Liverpool, but the Anfield outfit spent big on him for a reason. He’s got the intelligence, quick foot and ability in the final third that you want from an attacking midfielder.
The 23-year-old came of age in 2023/24, playing a crucial role in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign and run to the Europa League final. Could he bounce back to his brilliant best at the World Cup? Germany fans are certainly hoping so.
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5. Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
It’s rare to see a player so young thriving at centre-back for a top European team, but Pau Cubarsi has become one of the first names on Hansi Flick’s teamsheet at Barcelona. The 19-year-old reads the game brilliantly, does not shy away from the physical battle, and is an asset as a distributor as well. He will only improve as he fills out.
You need trophies on your CV to be among the best – and Cubarsi has achieved that. As well as back-to-back La Liga titles with Barcelona, he helped Spain to the Olympic Gold Medal in 2024. The World Cup might be next.
4. Pedri (Barcelona)
You can be forgiven for forgetting that Pedri is still just 23. The midfielder has been pulling the strings for Barcelona and Spain for years now.
The €5million Barca paid Las Palmas for his services in 2019 has to go down as one of the Nou Camp club’s greatest-ever bargains. A silky midfielder capable of progressing the ball either by passing or dribbling, he’s been instrumental to their recent La Liga domination and will hope to dazzle for Spain on the biggest stage of them all this summer.
3. João Neves (PSG)
Don’t let his diminutive stature fool you, João Neves is one of the best defensive midfielders in the game. The Portugal international relishes his work off the ball, but is also excellent in possession and an agile ball carrier.
The 21-year-old was running the Benfica midfield as a teenager and has dazzled in the same role at PSG – helping them to win the Champions League last season and this!
2. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
The jewel in English football’s crown, Jude Bellingham is the epitome of a Rolls Royce footballer. The 22-year-old glides through midfield like a hot knife through butter, scores plenty of goals, but also does the dirty work so well.
He will, no doubt, be the first name on the Three Lions team sheet for the next decade – once he wins over Thomas Tuchel, that is…
1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Surely the most exciting talent to come out of the La Masia talent factory since the great Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal has already stamped his authority on the game for club and country.
Despite being just 18, Spain’s rising star is already considered one of the best attacking players in the world and the growing pressure on him has only helped him raise his game. As well as La Liga titles, Yamal boasts the Euro 2024 title on his CV and will hope to add the World Cup this summer.
Who is the best young player in the world?
There’s no beating about the bush here, Lamine Yamal is the real deal – and he’s surely only going to get better.
Barcelona have developed a gem, he plays with a maturity that is well beyond his tender years and his trophy cabinet already boasts some impressive titles. It’s a testament to La Liga’s ID profiling that four of the top five on our list strut their stuff in Spain’s top division.
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