FIFA World Cup 2026 best young XI

The 2026 FIFA World Cup did more than crown a new world champion—it unveiled a remarkable generation of young footballers capable of dominating the global game for years to come. Alongside established stars, players aged between 17 and 23 delivered outstanding performances, combining pace, technical brilliance, tactical intelligence and composure on football's biggest stage. Their displays offered compelling evidence that the future of the sport is in safe hands.

Based on overall performances throughout the tournament, here is the Best Young XI in a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper
Patrick Beach
Age: 22
Country: Australia
Club: Melbourne City (Troyes)
Height: 6'3"

Australia's young goalkeeper Patrick Beach emerged as one of the revelations of the tournament. Rewarding coach Tony Popovic's faith, he displaced veteran Mathew Ryan to become the Socceroos' first-choice goalkeeper and played a key role in guiding Australia to the knockout stage.

He produced eight outstanding saves in Australia's 2-0 victory over Turkey, earning the Player of the Match award, before keeping a clean sheet against Paraguay. Throughout the group stage, his superb reflexes and commanding presence were instrumental in protecting Australia's goal. Although he was substituted just before the penalty shootout against Egypt in the Round of 16—a decision that sparked considerable debate—Beach still finished the tournament with 14 saves in four appearances.

Right Wing-Back
Alex Freeman
Age: 21
Country: United States
Club: Villarreal
Height: 6'2"

Alex Freeman was a powerhouse on the right flank, excelling both defensively and offensively. His overlapping runs, precise crossing and explosive pace consistently troubled opposing defences, making him a model modern full-back.
Representing the host nation, the United States, Freeman featured in five matches, scoring one goal and providing one assist. He completed 92% of his passes and maintained a remarkable 90% tackle success rate, underlining his all-round quality.

Centre-Back
Pau Cubarsí
Age: 19
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona

At just 19, Pau Cubarsí displayed the composure and maturity of a seasoned defender. His positional awareness, composure on the ball and ability to initiate attacks from the back made him far more than a traditional centre-half.

Cubarsí played every minute of Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign, completing 640 of his 662 passes for an exceptional 96% accuracy. He registered 33 clearances and helped Spain keep seven clean sheets, with La Roja conceding only one goal throughout the tournament. His performances earned him the FIFA Young Player Award.

Renato Veiga
Age: 22
Country: Portugal
Club: Villarreal
Height: 6'3"

Renato Veiga was the cornerstone of Portugal's defence. Dominant in aerial duels and physically imposing, he started all five matches and played every available minute.
He completed 311 of his 324 passes (95%), recorded 31 clearances, seven defensive blocks and three interceptions, while helping Portugal keep two clean sheets. Even in Portugal's Round of 16 defeat to Spain, Veiga stood out with seven crucial clearances.

Left Wing-Back
Nuno Mendes
Age: 23
Country: Portugal
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nuno Mendes established himself as one of the tournament's finest left-backs. Combining blistering pace with defensive solidity and relentless attacking runs, he delivered consistently impressive performances.

He featured in five matches before suffering an injury against Spain in the Round of 16. Mendes also scored a stunning long-range free-kick against Uzbekistan in the group stage and created ten major scoring opportunities throughout the competition. His 87% passing accuracy and dynamic dribbling made him a constant threat down the left.

Defensive Midfielder
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Age: 18
Country: Morocco
Club: Lille
Height: 6'1"

Bouaddi's maturity at just 18 years of age was extraordinary. Shielding the defence, breaking up opposition attacks and launching counter-attacks with composure, he looked every bit a future world-class midfielder.

The Moroccan youngster became the first African player under the age of 20 to appear in five World Cup matches. He completed 222 of his 243 passes (91%), registered seven clearances, three successful tackles and four completed dribbles. His commanding display against Brazil's experienced midfield, including Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães, announced his arrival on the world stage. Bouaddi also became the youngest player since Pelé to feature in a World Cup quarter-final.

Central Midfielder
Pedri González
Age: 23
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona

Pedri's greatest strength lies in his intelligence. Few players dictate the tempo of a match as effortlessly as the Spanish midfielder, whose vision and decision-making were central to Spain's World Cup triumph.

Although he did not register a goal or assist, Pedri completed 388 of his 432 passes (89%), created 11 major chances and recovered possession 51 times—the second-highest tally among Spanish players.

Jude Bellingham
Age: 23
Country: England
Club: Real Madrid
Height: 6'1"

Jude Bellingham further cemented his reputation as one of football's most complete young midfielders with a record-breaking World Cup campaign.

The England star scored seven goals and provided one assist in eight matches—the highest goal tally by an English player in a single FIFA World Cup. He played 617 minutes, maintained an 86% passing accuracy and repeatedly delivered in decisive moments, including braces against Mexico and Norway in the knockout stage, leading England to a third-place finish.

Right Wing
Lamine Yamal
Age: 19
Country: Spain
Club: Barcelona
Despite arriving at the World Cup after recovering from a muscle injury, Lamine Yamal quickly became one of Spain's most influential players.

After making only a brief substitute appearance in the opening match, he announced himself with a goal against Saudi Arabia, becoming Spain's second-youngest World Cup goalscorer. He went on to feature in all eight matches, recording 11 shots on target, ten successful dribbles, six key chances created and an 87% passing accuracy. Wearing the No. 19 shirt, Yamal lifted the World Cup just one day after his 19th birthday, creating a remarkable "19-19-19" coincidence.

Left Wing
Désiré Doué
Age: 21
Country: France
Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Désiré Doué emerged as one of France's brightest attacking stars, operating both as a winger and an attacking midfielder.

Across eight appearances, he contributed one goal and one assist while creating 12 major scoring opportunities. His technical quality, dribbling ability and creativity consistently troubled defenders, while his work rate saw him contribute nine successful tackles and five interceptions.

Centre Forward
Bradley Barcola
Age: 23
Country: France
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Height: 6'0"

Although naturally a winger, Bradley Barcola earns the centre-forward role in this XI thanks to his outstanding attacking output.

He appeared in all eight matches, scoring three goals and providing one assist. His pace, dribbling and intelligent movement made him one of France's most dangerous attackers, while he also created seven major chances and maintained an 87% passing accuracy. His defensive contribution—five tackles and five interceptions—highlighted his tireless work ethic.

Substitute Bench
Goalkeeper
Bart Verbruggen (23, Netherlands)

Right Wing-Back
Guéla Doué (23, Ivory Coast)

Centre-Backs
Abdukodir Khusanov (22, Uzbekistan)
Luka Vušković (19, Croatia)

Left Wing-Back
Nico O'Reilly (21, England)
Sidney Lopes Cabral (23, Cape Verde)

Defensive Midfielders
João Neves (21, Portugal)
Noah Sadiki (21, DR Congo)

Attacking Midfielders
Elliot Anderson (23, England)
Yasin Ayari (22, Sweden)
Petar Sučić (22, Croatia)
Martin Baturina (23, Croatia)

Right Wingers
Antonio Nusa (21, Norway)
Julio Enciso (22, Paraguay)

Left Wingers
Amad Diallo (23, Ivory Coast)
Andreas Schjelderup (22, Norway)

Forwards
Johan Manzambi (20, Switzerland)
Ibrahima Mbaye (18, Senegal)