The World Cup is a showcase of the very best of the global game. While the very best players in the world flex their muscles and use the big stage to showcase their once-in-a-generation abilities, history has also shown us that it is a platform for the breakout of a new generation of young players.
Who can forget a 18-year-old Michael Owen tearing through the Argentina defense in France 1998; Kylian Mbappe sealing his place among the gods of the games in Russia four years ago; or even the world being introduced to a fresh faced Brazilian by the name of Pele in 1958.
Come the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022, there will be a whole new crop of players looking to leave their mark (and legacy) on the tournament. Here is our pick of the most likely young players…
Jamal Musiala (GERMANY)
Directly involved in nine goals in the first nine matches for Bayern this season—five goals and four assists—there’s no wonder there’s so much hype around Jamal Musiala. Born in 2003, Germany’s new ‘star boy’ has demonstrated an unreal level of technical control and balance in his game, as he dances around players with the ball at his feet. It’s not certain he will start all games, but you’ll know when he does.
Akram Afif (QATAR)
Followers of Asian football know all about the tricky Qatari left-winger. The Al Sadd attacker spent some time at La Liga’s Villarreal, before returning back to run riot in the Qatar Stars League, winning a trio of titles. He was also an instrumental part of the Asia Cup winning side in 2019, which led him to being voted the Asian Player of the Year later in the year.
Jude Bellingham (ENGLAND)
It takes courage to upsticks from your home town of Birmingham and move to Germany when you are just a teenager, but that is what Bellingham did and the move has paid off handsomely. His performance for England in a 3-3 draw against Germany last month was imperious, and has likely earned himself a spot as England’s starting central midfielder for the tournament.
Moises Caicedo (ECUADOR)
According to Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi, Caicedo could become one of the world’s best midfielders. It’s a bold statement, but anyone who has been watching Brighton’s remarkable rise to a steady Premier League team will be all too aware of the pacey midfielder’s game-changing talents. Ecuador have a tough group, but Caicedo will shine.
Pedri (SPAIN)
An undeniable talent, Pedri is embarassingly good at football. Despite being only 19(!) years old, he has waltzed his way into both the Barcelona and Spain midfields, and not looked
out of place for a second. Last season he was hindered by injury, but he has recovered in time to make the plane to Qatar and slotting in as La Roja’s driving force.
Alphonso Davies (CANADA)
The definition of a modern-day wing-back, Davies has the kind of attacking ability and defensive nous to control a game from the left wing-back position. Davies became the first Canadian men’s national team player to win the Champions League, inspiring a generation of young Canadian football fans, and subsequently helping take his nation to their first World Cup finals in 36 years.
Dusan Vlahovic (SERBIA)
One of this past summer’s more drawn-out transfer tug-of-wars was between Arsenal and Juventus for the signature of the young Serbian striker. Now while he has yet to fully justify the $85-million fee that the Italian giants coughed up, at 22, he has already shown more than enough potential to develop into one of the world’s very best ‘bombers’.
