The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar has finally arrived, and over the next few weeks, we are going to be treated to an exciting spectacle of international football.
The World Cup over the years has always been known to throw up new and exciting young talent who wooed the world with their breathtaking displays during the tournament.
This year various countries have selected youngsters for their individual squads.
They will be hoping these young starlets will follow in the footsteps of Pele, Michael Owen, and Kylian Mbappé, who announced their names on the biggest stage of football despite their young age.
Here are the youngest players at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Please note that our list of the youngest footballers at the 2022 World is in no particular order.
1. Youssoufa Moukoko (18)
The talented teenager is one of the youngest players going to this year’s world cup after he was selected to represent Germany coach Hans Flick.
Moukoko, who just turned 18 at the start of the tournament, is regarded as one of the brightest young talents now in world football.
He is probably the youngest footballer at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Cameroon-born forward has been in impressive form for top German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund since his debut in 2020.
This season he has so far scored six goals in 22 appearances. Youssoufa will be hoping for a dream debut tourney for Germany as he will be expected to feature at some time during the competition.
2. Pablo Paez Gavira (18)
Gavi, as he’s more famously called, is already well-known in football circles despite his relatively young age.
He is regarded as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in football.
The 18-year-old Spanish international is highly rated and is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in the game currently.
The Barcelona central midfielder has been a mainstay in La Roja’s starting XI since his debut on October 6th, 2021.
This will be the youngster’s first competition with Spain, and he will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Spanish greats like Xavi and Iniesta.
3. Garang Kuol (18)
The 18-year-old forward will be hoping to play for his adopted country Australia during the 2022 World Cup after his surprise inclusion in the Aussie squad.
Garang was born to South Sudanese refugees who finally settled in Victoria, Australia.
Kuol is regarded as a young, promising forward and recently signed a pre-contract to join English side Newcastle United in January 2023.
The young Australian striker will be hoping to get his chance in Qatar and justify his inclusion in the World Cup squad.
4. Jewison Bennette (18)
The precocious Costa Rican winger is one of the youngest players at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at just 18 years and five months.
Jewison made his debut for Costa Rica in 2021 and has featured regularly for the Island country since then.
Bennette featured prominently for Costa Rica during the World Cup qualifiers.
He even played a crucial role in the defeat of New Zealand during the playoffs for the World Cup.
5. Bilal El Khannous (18)
The 18-year-old midfielder though eligible to play for Belgium, decided to represent the land of his parents, Morocco.
The promising young midfielder had only played for the under-20 and under-23 Moroccan national teams before being selected to represent the senior national squad at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Khannous will be hoping he can see some minutes and help the Atlas Lions do well in the World Cup.
6. Alejandro Balde (19)
Alejandro Balde has the potential to become of the best left-backs in the world.
The Barcelona full-back is a fast, skillful, and aggressive defender, who broke into the first team in the 2022/23 season.
Balde is yet to make his international debut for Spain and was called up to the Spain national football team after left-back José Gayà suffered an injury to his ankle in training.
7. António Silva (19)
António Silva is one of the youngest footballers who will be playing their World Cup debut for the exciting Portuguese national team.
Silva came through Benfica’s youth system and became a key player for the first team after making his professional debut at age 17 in the 2022/23 season.
The 19-year-old was selected by Fernando Santos for the Portuguese senior squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, despite having just made his senior international debut in November.
8. Hannibal Mejbri (19)
Despite being only 19, Hannibal Mejbri has garnered 18 caps for the Tunisian national team.
He was eligible to play for France but chose to represent Tunisia.
Mejbri plays as an attacking midfielder for Championship club Birmingham City. However, he is on loan Manchester United.
9. Jude Bellingham (19)
The 19-year-old England international will be featuring in his first world cup after being selected by Coach Gareth Southgate for the England squad to Qatar.
The exciting young midfielder has been able to establish himself in the England starting XI and will be hoping to help the 3 Lions clinch the World Cup title this winter.
10. Xavi Simons (19)
It came as a surprise to many when Xavi Simons was called up to the Netherlands FIFA World Cup squad despite not making any prior appearances for the Dutch national team.
Although he is yet to earn a senior cap, Simons has played the Netherlands at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels.
The PSV player is a talented attacking midfielder who is capable of emerging as one of the best young players at the FIFA World Cup.
11. Joe Scally (19)
Another young fullback who would be making his World Cup debut is United States right-back Joe Scally.
The 19-year-old is a regular at Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach and recently made his senior debut for the USMNT in June 2022.
12. Ibrahim Danlad (19)
Ibrahim Danlad is the not just one of the youngest players at the 2022 World Cup, but the youngest goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup.
The teenage Ghanaian goalkeeper was called up after two of Ghana’s first team goalkeeper suffered injuries before the World Cup.
Danlad was the first choice goalkeeper for the Ghanian Under-17 team tagt participated at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.
The 19-year-old currently plays for Berekum Chelsea, on loan from Asante Kotoko both of the Ghanaian Premier League.
14. Jamal Musiala (19)
The 19-year-old German international has been tipped as one of the players to shine at this year’s World Cup.
Jamal, who is also of Nigerian descent, has been in incredible form for both club and country this year.
Despite his young age, Musiala is already regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world right now.
Musiala will be hoping to make his first World Cup tournament one to remember and help the German machine win their 5th title in Qatar.
15. Yunus Musah (19)
The Valencia midfielder is also one of the youngest football players at the 2022 World Cup.
Although he will be making his World Cup debut for the United States national team, he is a regular for the USMNT.
He made his national team debut in November 2020 and has gone on to make 19 soccer caps for his team.
Yunus Musah was eligible to play for either of United States, Ghana, Italy, and England. However, he opted to represent the United States, and will be hoping to help USA win the World Cup.
