The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has since begun, and now with just one month and three days remaining, anticipation for the 23rd edition of football’s biggest tournament is reaching a high pitch as fans around the world prepare for a historic spectacle.
The competition, which is set to be the largest ever, will feature a record-breaking 48 teams and 104 matches, while also making history as the first edition to be jointly hosted by three nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In the past, the World Cup has often served as the stage where young talents announce themselves to the world — names like Michael Owen at 18, Thomas Muller at 20, and Kylian Mbappe at 19 all burst into global recognition through mind-blowing performances on football’s biggest stage. And in the case with Mbappe, the betting money pouring in from Irish football betting sites was massive. We can only anticipate much the same from punters in 2026.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, attention once again turns to a new generation of emerging football stars, particularly those plying their trade in Serie A.
Italian football has long been a breeding ground for elite prospects, and the latest wave of Serie A wonderkids could be the next group to capture global attention.
These young talents possess the quality, confidence, and potential to follow in the footsteps of past breakout stars, using the tournament as a platform to announce themselves to the world and potentially redefine their careers on the global stage.
2026 World Cup: Six Young Serie A Stars
Kenan Yildiz ( 21, Juventus / Turkey )
Already regarded as one of the most dangerous wingers in Serie A, the Turkish international — whose place in Vincenzo Montella’s World Cup squad looks certain barring any late injury setbacks — has established himself as the creative spark within the Juventus setup.
At just 21, Kenan Yildiz already embodies the mentality of a big-game player, making him one of the most exciting Serie A talents to watch at the 2026 World Cup.
Having already proven to be a decisive figure for the Turkish national team with three goals during their World Cup qualifying campaign, Yildiz’s versatility and fearless mentality are among the defining qualities that have allowed him to thrive under the weight of Juventus’ iconic number 10 shirt.
This season, he has shown how comfortable he is when operating either as a winger, false nine, or attacking midfielder behind the striker. He possesses a natural instinct for drifting in from the left flank before unleashing powerful efforts with his stronger right foot.
If he can carry the impressive form that has seen him register 10 goals and six assists in Serie A this season onto football’s biggest stage, Yildiz could play a major role in helping Turkey surpass their historic third-place finish achieved in Japan and South Korea 24 years ago.
Nico Paz ( 21, Como / Argentina )
Nico Paz has emerged as one of the biggest revelations in Serie A under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas at Como, with the Argentine midfielder widely regarded as one of the league’s most tactically intelligent young players.
His combined tally of 18 goals and assists has played a crucial role in Como’s push for a historic Champions League qualification spot, while his performances have also earned admiration from eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who praised the youngster’s understanding of the game and remarkable mentality.
Ranking among the top five percent of Serie A midfielders for successful dribbles, big chances created, and shots on target, Paz has quickly developed a reputation as one of the fastest-rising football wonderkids in Europe.
The 21-year-old will now be hoping his impressive rise is enough to secure a place in Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup squad as Argentina aim to become only the third nation in history — after Italy and Brazil — to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
Matías Soulé ( 23, AS Roma / Argentina )
The 23-year-old Argentine, often compared to Ángel Di María because of his magical left foot and explosive style of play, has evolved from being labelled one of Serie A’s brightest prospects into one of the division’s most reliable attacking outlets.
Before suffering a pubalgia injury, the pacey winger had established himself as the driving force behind Roma’s attack under both Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini, registering seven goals and eight assists across all competitions.
Widely regarded as one of the most exciting Serie A young talents, the Argentine also ranks among the league leaders for progressive carries and chances created — a reflection of both his directness and creativity in the final third.
His blistering acceleration, relentless work rate, and ability to destabilize defensive lines could prove invaluable for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, especially as Lionel Scaloni looks to blend established stars with a new generation of emerging football stars.
Zion Suzuki ( 23, Parma / Japan )
Parma’s undisputed number one has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years, developing from a backup goalkeeper in Japan into one of the highest-rated shot-stoppers in Serie A — a transformation that has reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United.
Suzuki, renowned for his ability to launch the ball over 20 metres beyond the halfway line, perfectly represents the modern generation of goalkeepers capable of functioning as an extra outfield player.
Regarded as one of the most promising talents in Serie A he has made his distribution his greatest weapon, ranking among the league’s best goalkeepers for long passes and progressive build-up play.
His calmness on the ball, reflexes, and commanding presence have quickly turned him into one of the standout football talents to watch ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The 23-year-old further enhanced his reputation with a sensational performance against England that helped Japan become the first Asian nation to defeat the Three Lions, a display that deservedly earned him the Man of the Match award.
Having already recorded five clean sheets this season — including a dramatic injury-time penalty save — Suzuki is increasingly being viewed as one of the next-generation football stars capable of making a major impact on football’s biggest stage.
Jacobo Ramón ( 21,Como / Spain)
Like Nico Paz at Como, the towering defender is also a graduate of Real Madrid’s famous La Fabrica academy and has quickly established himself as one of the biggest defensive revelations in Serie A this season.
Standing at 6’5”, Ramon has already earned the nickname the Spanish Van Dijk because of the striking similarities he shares with the Liverpool defender — particularly his recovery pace, composure under pressure, and exceptional ball-playing ability from the back.
Seen as one of the most promising Serie A rising stars, Ramon has dominated physically in Italy, winning 102 aerial duels this season at an impressive success rate of 65.8%, making him one of the league’s most effective defenders in the air.
Beyond his physical dominance, the Spaniard has also showcased elite technical quality, ranking among the top 15 Serie A players for pass accuracy with a remarkable 91.3%.
In what has been his first full campaign at Como, the youngster has started 27 of the club’s 34 league matches.
His calmness in possession and tactical intelligence fit perfectly into Luis de la Fuente’s philosophy for Spain, and if his development continues at this pace, he could emerge as one of the World Cup breakout talents to watch at the 2026 World Cup.
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