5<\/p>\n Mbappe announced himself to the world at the 2018 World CupCredit: AFP<\/p>\n It is also the perfect stage for young wonderkids to announce themselves to the world.<\/p>\n The list of teenagers to make their breakthrough at the World Cup is long, from Pele<\/a> to Michael Owen<\/a>, Thomas Muller and Mbappe himself.<\/p>\n The likes of James Rodriguez and Enzo Fernandez<\/a> got blockbuster transfers immediately after stunning performances at past tournaments.<\/p>\n Now talkSPORT\u2019s Ben Jacobs<\/a> has named five to watch out for at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE ON FOOTBALLRayan The first is the 19-year-old boy from Rio who has made an instant impact on the Premier League<\/a>.<\/p>\n He signed a five-year contract with Bournemouth<\/a> in January for around \u00a330m – and that feels like an absolute steal.<\/p>\n Rayan was a replacement for Antoine Semenyo<\/a> and stepped in perfectly as the Cherries qualified for the Europa League<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jacobs said from Los Angeles: \u201cThe Brazilian teenager could be about to announce himself on the world stage after an absolutely superb second half of the season with the Cherries, in which he scored five goals and also got two assists.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cRayan is so highly rated by Bournemouth that he’s got a release clause of almost \u00a3100million that is valid from summer 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cRayan at Vasco da Gama scored a ton of goals, he helped his side reach the Brazilian Cup final and the teenager is going to be one to watch and part of the new generation of young Brazilian stars as Carlo Ancelotti<\/a> looks to lift this trophy.\u00a0<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Rayan scored his first Brazil goal in a World Cup warm-up friendlyCredit: Getty<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a shame, by the way, that Estevao Willian is injured, otherwise he would have been my Brazilian honourable mention.\u201d<\/p>\n Nico Paz After coming through the Real Madrid<\/a> academy, he made eight first-team appearances before joining Como in Italy.<\/p>\n At just six million euros, he\u2019s been an absolute steal for the Serie A<\/a> team.<\/p>\n Jacobs said: \u201cNico Paz of Argentina is a player familiar to Italian fans. He’s had a phenomenal season at Cesc Fabregas<\/a>‘ Como as they qualified unbelievably for the Champions League and Paz scored 12 goals and got seven assists in the process.<\/p>\n \u201cNow many believe Nico Paz will be not just an elite footballer but the eventual heir to none other than Lionel Messi.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe is capable of both pushing forwards and playing in a deeper role. Versatile and clinical and he could enjoy a breakout World Cup playing alongside Lionel Messi for now but eventually filling his shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Paz is emerging into a superstar talent – the World Cup is a chance to break through into the mainstreamCredit: GettyYan Diomande Diomande has caught the attention this season with RB Leipzig<\/a> and he will be one of the big transfer stories this summer.<\/p>\n Leipzig paid his \u20ac20 million release clause last summer at Leganes – they can expect five times that much this summer if they have to sell.<\/p>\n Jacobs said: \u201cThe 19-year-old is a man in demand. <\/p>\n “12 goals and eight assists for Leipzig as they qualified for the Champions League and maybe that will allow them to make a play to try and get Diomande to sign a new deal.<\/p>\n \u201cYet Liverpool and PSG are watching Diomande very closely<\/a>. Manchester United<\/a> have considered him as well but are not a front runner and maybe even Bayern because they missed out on Anthony Gordon.<\/p>\n \u201cNow Leipzig value Yan Diomande at 100 million euros. The price seems relatively steep but if he has a strong World Cup with the Ivory Coast then suddenly that number could go even higher.\u201d<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Diomande is being tracked by some of the biggest clubs in world footballCredit: AFPLuka Vuskovic Vuskovic is already approaching 100 senior games and is one to watch for the future.<\/p>\n The defender, on loan at Hamburg from Spurs, picked up a whole host of awards in his breakout season.<\/p>\n This included Bundesliga<\/a> team of the season, goal of the season, and rookie of the month five times.<\/p>\n Jacobs said: \u201cVuskovic had a really productive spell on loan from Tottenham with Hamburg and he will of course turn out for Croatia as part of the new generation.<\/p>\n \u201cSpurs want to keep the player. Bayern Munich<\/a> have been credited with an interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cVuskovic made 27 appearances last season and he also contributed to six goals as well.\u00a0He’s a very forward-thinking defender and somebody that Tottenham have got high hopes for.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough there is interest in the market, Spurs would like him to sign a new deal.<\/p>\n \u201cHe will come up against England. A lot is made of course of some of Croatia’s older players including Luka Modric<\/a>, but Vuskovic is seen as the future and he could enjoy a standout World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Kylian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2018-tournament-russia-cemented-kylian-1080792417.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Team: Brazil
Age: 19<\/p>\n![\"Rayan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rayan-brazil-celebrates-scoring-teams-1085200053.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Team: Argentina
Age: 21<\/p>\n![\"Nico](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nico-paz-como-celebrates-goal-1018236542_b96012.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Team: Ivory Coast
Age: 19<\/p>\n![\"Yan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/49-yan-diomande-celebrates-scoring-1073034743.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
Team: Croatia
Age: 19<\/p>\n
![\"Luka](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/974dc25d-e0df-4e98-94a5-ea6010dd60c3.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n