As the year draws to a close, we can look forward to the exploits set to unfold in 2026, when the first ever 12-group World Cup takes place, an already entertaining Champions League campaign reaches its conclusion, and several thrilling title races do the same. But what are these events without the players taking centre stage? This article aims to highlight those players, particularly those aged 20 and under, who will be trying to break into the headlines in 2026. While there has been much clamour over the likes of Yamine Lamal and Chelsea’s Estevão, I intend to draw your attention to those who have perhaps flown under the radar in terms of recognition.
GK – Mike Penders
It can often be difficult for a goalkeeper to shine at a young age, given that most in the position do not tend to reach their prime until much later than outfield players. That being said, Belgian keeper Mike Penders of Strasbourg has certainly proved himself early. After impressing for Genk, he earned a move to Chelsea (and he is not the last on this list for whom that is the case) before his current loan spell at Strasbourg, where he has kept five clean sheets this season.
Penders came through the youth setups at local clubs Boorsem Sport and Bregel Sport before joining the academy of KRC Genk in 2018. He progressed rapidly, making his professional debut for Genk’s reserve side in 2022 and, after captaining the reserves, made his senior first-team debut in July 2024 in the Belgian Pro League, becoming the third-youngest player to do so. He also stands at an impressive two metres tall and, being Belgian, has drawn comparisons to the great Thibaut Courtois, often emulating the Real Madrid goalkeeper in making saves that seem out of reach to others. Moreover, given Chelsea’s problems in goal since the departure of Courtois, they may look to Penders to take over from Robert Sánchez upon his return from loan.
RB – Givairo Read
The first player on this list to ply his trade outside the top five leagues is Feyenoord’s Givairo Read. The attacking right-back has looked electric so far for the side that Robin van Persie has currently sitting second in the Eredivisie. In March 2022 he became the youngest ever player to debut for Jong Volendam in the Dutch third tier and, shortly after, the youngest goalscorer in that competition. This was certainly a sign of things to come as he progressed into senior football.
By the 2024–25 season, Read had cemented himself as a first-team regular. He offers lightning pace and strong ball-carrying ability down the flank. Furthermore, this season he has already supplied three assists and is in the 97th percentile against other full-backs for expected assists, as well as averaging 3.16 touches in the opposition box per 90. His performances have also earned him an extended contract until 2029, as Feyenoord hope to keep him as a key pillar of the team or ensure they secure a strong fee should he move elsewhere.
CB – Pau Cubarsí
Perhaps the most well-known name on this list is Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí, though it is difficult not to acknowledge the talent of someone who is only 18, looks so composed at centre-back, and has already earned a market value of £80 million (according to Transfermarkt). Catalan born and bred, the Spanish defender has been part of the La Masia setup since 2022 and has already earned 10 caps for the national team, surely making him a certainty for the World Cup squad next year.
Developing under Hansi Flick at La Blaugrana, Cubarsi has developed into one of the best ball playing, progressive defenders on the continent, as he played 11 games in the league for his club this season, but has started all 5 champions league games so is clearly a trusted figure in the camp. His stats are indicative of his ability to aid in Barca’s chance creation too. Compared to other centre backs he ranks in the 99th percentile for passes attempted and the 93rd for passes completed. Cubarsi looks set to be on of the mainstay defenders on the continent for the next decade.
CB- Luka Vuscovic
On loan from Spurs at Hamburg, Croatian centre-back Luka Vušković has become one of the most in-form defenders across Europe’s top five leagues as he looks to help Hamburg stay up upon their return to the German top flight. Born in Split, he rose through the youth ranks of Hajduk Split before making history. Just two days after his 16th birthday, he made his professional debut in the Croatian top flight, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the league. His rapid rise did not go unnoticed. In September 2023 he signed a long-term contract with Tottenham Hotspur and has since been on loan at Westerlo and the aforementioned Hamburg from the Premier League side. There is no doubt that upon his return he will hone his craft alongside the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and look to become one of Europe’s highest-rated defenders.
LB – Joachin Seys
Left-back proved to be a position in which it was harder to choose someone who has not already established themselves at the top level, with the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Nico O’Reilly already doing so. Therefore, I have gone for the second Belgian on this list: Joachin Seys. Playing for Club Brugge and representing them on both a domestic and continental stage, Seys has developed into one of Europe’s most exciting attacking full-back prospects and has attracted the attention of several European giants.
The Belgian has shone particularly in Europe this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists across the whole of the Champions League, as he looks to cement himself as one of the competition’s best attacking full-backs. He also ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes per 90 and has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in him.
CDM – Nathan De Cat
As we move into the midfield, we turn our attention to a defensive midfielder turned box-to-box engine, and a stalwart in Anderlecht’s side: Nathan De Cat. The Belgian signed his first professional contract with the club at 15 and made his senior debut for them at 16 in 2025, impressing ever since. Physically, De Cat stands out. At around 1.92 m tall, he offers excellent physical presence for a teenager and, for someone so young, is incredibly composed in the middle of the park.
He has also recently shown his importance to the team, with the club refusing to release him for the U17 World Cup owing to his significant role as they battle to beat USG in the Pro League. More recently, he has attracted strong interest from both German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and he may soon look to make the transition to one of Europe’s bigger leagues as he aims to shine for the Belgian first team.
CM – Tom Bischof
Following a breakout campaign with Hoffenheim last season, which saw him included in Julian Nagelsmann’s Nations League Finals squad, young midfielder Tom Bischof earned a move to Bayern Munich this summer. Despite a slow start, he is now beginning to light up the Bundesliga alongside another Bayern player who appears later on this list.
Bischof is valued for a combination of creative ability and tactical versatility. He can play as a central midfielder, an attacking number 10, or even in wider midfield roles when required. He is also appreciated for his shooting ability, including well-struck long-range efforts and free-kicks, as well as for his willingness to press, run, and contribute defensively, all attributes highly prized by his manager Vincent Kompany. Now that he has begun to feature more regularly in Bayern’s matches, and having already contributed three assists in just 494 Bundesliga minutes, he will hope to be part of the World Cup squad this summer. If not, there is certainly the belief that he will be in years to come.
CAM – Lennart Karl
Fresh off a week in which he provided a goal and an assist in Bayern’s comeback win over Freiburg, followed by a goal in their eventual defeat to Arsenal, Lennart Karl must be full of confidence after proving himself indispensable to Vincent Kompany’s team. At only 17, Karl has shown in the Champions League that he is someone the club can rely on for big goals and will, like Bischof, be hoping to be on the plane to the States next summer.
He will hope his impressive statistics help his case. In his first full senior season with the club, Karl has placed himself in the 98th percentile or higher for passes attempted per 90, total shots per 90, and expected goals per 90 compared with all other players in his position across Europe’s top five leagues. Karl has also earned high praise from Bayern board member Max Eberl, who said, “I think his greatest strength is that he simply doesn’t overthink things. He just wants to play football.”
LW- Jesus Rodriguez
Having impressed for Real Betis last season, Spaniard Jesus Rodriguez became one of many to make the switch to Como this summer to ply his trade under his compatriot Cesc Fabregas. A direct winger who wants to take on his man, Rodriguez has started this season excellently and has earned himself a call up to the Spanish national team, which he described as the fulfilment of a child’s dream.
So far this season for Como, he has helped the side reach their current fifth place position in Serie A, alongside talents such as Nico Paz and Assane Diao, and has proved to be one of the brightest prospects on the left hand side in Europe. Stats wise, he has put up 4 assists in only 20 Serie A appearances, as well as averaging 4.00 progressive carries per 90 and 5.81 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90. He will hope that he can develop into a well rounded, more goal scoring winger under Fabregas this season and join the others on this list who are aiming to be at the World Cup.
ST: Pio Esposito
Having been a part of the Nerazzurri youth academy since 2014, 19 year old Italian Pio Esposito has broken into Inter’s first team and has looked to prove himself amongst some of Europe’s best centre forwards such as Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. In 2023 he moved on loan to Spezia in Serie B to gain senior level experience. After a somewhat modest first season, Esposito exploded in 2024–25, scoring 19 goals in 39 appearances and helping Spezia challenge for promotion. That performance earned him a return to Inter for the 2025–26 season, where he began to appear in Serie A and European competitions. Thus far he has put up 3 goal contributions in only 5 Champions League matches, as well as one goal and one assist in Serie A, which have earned him an international call up. He also ranks in the 98th percentile for both shot creating actions per 90 and touches in the opposition box, clearly showing that he is a handful for any defender.
RW- Dastan Satpayev
The other player to be joining Chelsea on this list is Kazakhstan forward Dastan Satpayev, who is part of one of the biggest European fairytales of the season, as he is the man leading the line for Kairat Almaty, In their champions league debut season, He also has a goal in the competition too, to go with his 14 in 20 Kazakhstan Premier League starts.
He is a quick, clinical forward who is capable of playing either off the right or through the middle, but makes this list as the right winger, and should he get minutes when he cements the move to west London In the summer, he will most likely play in either role, as he joins the embarrassment of riches that the Blues have in forward positions.
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