The pressure of World Cup expectations can weigh heavy on the shoulders of the biggest names in football, and Qatar 2022 will be no different.
The best players on the planet will do battle in the Middle East for the chance to secure the biggest prize in international football.
However, alongside superstars including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne, there also will be a host of emerging talent looking to make their mark.
International managers have been more prepared to place greater faith in young players in recent years and age-old World Cup records could be broken in the coming weeks.
MORE: Oldest players in World Cup history ahead of the Qatar 2022 tournament
Who are the youngest players in World Cup history?
The World Cup has provided a launching pad for some iconic names in footballing history with tournaments offering the chance to announce talent on the biggest platform.
Pressure is reduced on younger players, with expectations reduced, and teenager starlets have often thrived in the white-hot World Cup heat.
Five players have featured in World Cup action before their 18th birthday with Brazilian hero Pele on the list following his incredible showing en route to the Samba Boys winning the 1958 World Cup.
| Player | Country | Tournament | Age |
|
Norman Whiteside |
Northern Ireland | World Cup 1982 | 17y 40d |
|
Samuel Eto’o |
Cameroon | World Cup 1998 | 17y 98d |
|
Femi Opabunmi |
Nigeria | World Cup 2002 | 17y 100d |
|
Salomon Olembe |
Cameroon | World Cup 1998 | 17y 184d |
|
Pele |
Brazil | World Cup 1958 | 17y 234d |
| Bartholomew Ogbeche | Nigeria | World Cup 2002 | 17y 244d |
| Rigobert Song | Cameroon | World Cup 1994 | 17y 353d |
| Carvalho Leite | Brazil | World Cup 1930 | 18y 25d |
| Manuel Rosas | Mexico | World Cup 1930 | 18y 87d |
| Christian Eriksen | Denmark | World Cup 1930 | 18y 120d |
Who is the youngest goalscorer in World Cup history?
The pressure of performing at a World Cup is already a major factor in a manager’s decision to use a young player at a World Cup but asking them to score is a different question.
However, again the burning gaze of World Cup attention has often released the shackles on teenage hotshots, and they have produced some of the most memorable World Cup moments.
🏴 Goalscorer at both the 2002 and 1998 #WorldCups, including a hugely memorable solo effort in Saint-Etienne ⚽️🥅
🥳 It’s time to wish Michael Owen a very happy birthday 🎂 pic.twitter.com/moXrEc55zy
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2021
| Player | Country | Tournament | Age |
| Pele | Brazil | World Cup 1958 | 17y 239d |
| Manuel Rosas | Mexico | World Cup 1930 | 18y 93d |
| Michael Owen | England | World Cup 1998 | 18y 190d |
| Nikolae Kovacs | Romania | World Cup 1930 | 18y 197d |
| Dmitri Sychev | Russia | World Cup 2002 | 18y 231d |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | World Cup 2006 | 18y 357d |
| Julian Green | USA | World Cup 2014 | 19y 25d |
| Divock Origi | Belgium | World Cup 2014 | 19y 65d |
| Martin Hoffmann | West Germany | World Cup 1974 | 19y 88d |
| Tostao | Brazil | World Cup 1966 | 19y 171d |
Who will be the youngest players at World Cup 2022?
Qatar 2022 is blessed with an array of emerging young stars with Germany and Spain amongst the powerhouses placing their faith in youth for the tournament.
Luis Enrique has included Barcelona trio Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati in his final 26-man squad for the competition, and Germany will have the youngest player at the tournament after Hansi Flick called up uncapped Borussia Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko.
Moukoko will instantly break into the Top Ten, if he features for Flick’s side at the World Cup, but the tournament kick off coincides with his 18th birthday — meaning he will miss out on the 17 club.
However, he will become the second youngest scorer — in behind Pele — if he can find the net in Qatar.
| Player | Country | Club | Age (as of Nov.20, 2022) |
| Youssoufa Moukoko | Germany | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | 18y |
| Garang Kuol | Australia | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) | 18y 66d |
| Gavi | Spain | Barcelona (SPA) | 18y 107d |
| Jewison Benette | Costa Rica | Sunderland (ENG) | 18y 158d |
| Antonio Silva | Portugal | Benfica (POR) | 19y 51d |
| Bilel El Khanouss | Morocco | Genk (BEL) | 18y 187d |
| Zeno Debast | Belgium | Anderlecht (BEL) | 19y 27d |
| Jude Bellingham | England | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | 19y 144d |
| Brandon Aguilera | Costa Rica | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 19y 145d |
| Xavi Simons | Netherlands | PSV (NED) | 19y 213d |
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