The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America promises to be an incredible platform for young players to showcase their talent.
Lamine Yamal became a worldwide star after Euro 2024, and he will come into the tournament just before his 19th birthday. Who are the youngest players to ever play at a World Cup?
5. Pele
Brazil vs USSR (15 June 1958) – 17 years, 235 days old
In 1958, scouting for young players was unheard of. Pele came into the tournament with a slight knee injury, so he didn’t make his World Cup debut until the third game.
He provided an assist in this game against the USSR and scored his first goal in the quarter finals against Wales. The 17-year-old went on to score two goals in the final as he helped win Brazil’s first World Cup.
Pele is considered one of the all-time greats of football, finishing his career with three World Cup titles, winning again in 1962 and 1970.
4. Solomon Olembe
Cameroon vs Austria (11 June 1998) – 17 years, 185 days old
Solomon Olembe made his debut during the 1998 World Cup. The game against Austria, while he was 17, was already his eighth international cap for Cameroon.
He went on to play at the 2002 World Cup, and played 19 times at AFCON tournaments. The left-back went on to play for Marseille, Leeds United and Wigan Athletic over the course of his career.
3. Femi Opabunmi
Nigeria vs England (12 June 2002) – 17 years, 101 days old
Femi Opabunmi is a name that won’t be familiar to many, but he burst onto the scene at the 2001 U-17 World Cup, helping Nigeria reach the final.
He finished the tournament with five goals and was the second-highest scorer, ahead of players like Carlos Tevez and Fernando Torres.
Opabunmi made his international debut in a friendly in May and scored against Kenya in a World Cup warm-up fixture.
He made his World Cup debut against England, taking to the pitch opposite David Beckham, Michael Owen and other greats like Ashley Cole.
Sadly, the winger had to retire in 2006 due to ill health, making only six international appearances.
2. Samuel Eto’o
Cameroon vs Italy (17 June 1998) – 17 years, 99 days old
Samuel Eto’o is a legend of the game, winning three UEFA Champions Leagues and four league titles. In total, he played 118 times for Cameroon, scoring 56 goals.
By the time he came off the bench against Italy in the 1998 World Cup, he had already made six appearances, the first of which came before he had even turned 16.
By playing in the 2014 World Cup, his international career spanned 18 calendar years. He finished his career with three World Cup goals and is one of the greatest footballers of his generation.
1. Norman Whiteside
Northern Ireland vs Yugoslavia (17 June 1982) – 17 years, 41 days old
Norman Whiteside became the youngest player in World Cup history when he played in Northern Ireland’s first World Cup game in 1982.
This was his international debut, and before his selection, he had only played two senior games for Manchester United. The forward went on to play 38 times for Northern Ireland. One of his nine international goals came in the 1986 World Cup.
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