Club World Cup Stars. Under the summer sun and with the world watching, the Club World Cup has become more than just a stage for champions. It’s turning into the perfect platform for the next generation of football stars to break through. But beyond the big matches and celebration, something greater is happening: an underground emergence of potential superstars.
Some are already known to scouts and fans across Europe; some remain unknown, with the potential next match as a crucial moment. What do they have in common? They possess youth, hunger and likely have something to prove this summer in the USA.
Rising Stars to Watch at the Club World Cup
From European giants to South American prodigies, here’s a breakdown of the young talents poised to steal the spotlight at this year’s tournament.
PSG’s Teenage Typhoon
Wearing a PSG shirt means you’re rarely unnoticed. But even on a team that crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final, a few young faces are starting to stand out.
At 19, Desire Doue made headlines with two goals and an assist against Bayern Munich. He followed it up with another great performance in Pasadena where PSG destroyed Atletico Madrid. He didn’t score a goal, but 18-year-old Senny Mayulu scored the last goal, continuing his positive momentum. Mayulu has five goals and three assists to date in limited opportunities; we’re watching him blossom in real time.
But the youngest face out there? That would be Ibrahim Mbaye, just 17. Mbaye already looks at home on the big stage. His quickness and audacity earned him a spot on Luis Enrique’s call-up, and his assist on PSG’s fourth goal in Pasadena shows he isn’t afraid of the moment.
Also presenting is 20-year-old Joao Neves, who played over 3,700 minutes last season. He’s got youthful stamina and tackling to keep him ever-present in the midfield central position.
Lastly, 19-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery. He had 23 league starts last season, putting him among an elite few whom PSG needed to win Ligue 1 early to legitimize talent; he was also a frequent tactical choice for Enrique, who blended youth with age-old experience.
PSG isn’t just playing to win. They’re building something that lasts.
Bayern Munich’s Quiet Revolution
Bayern’s youth pipeline is still flowing strong. One of their smartest moves this summer might be signing Tom Bischof, 19, from Hoffenheim. A tireless midfielder with sharp vision, he fits right into Bayern’s system.
17-year-old Lennart Karl didn’t play in the 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City, but he got his shot after being rested for most last year. As soon as he touched the pitch, he was like a young Arjen Robben.
Out wide, Adam Aznou, 19, is showing potential after a loan at Valladolid. Born in Spain but committed to Morocco, he’s pushing for a regular spot in Vincent Kompany’s backline.
Red Bull Salzburg: The Austrian Assembly Line
Over in Austria, Oscar Gloukh, 21, continues to drive Salzburg forward. Even if this year was a bit rocky. Always a step behind the running advances in fluidity, he plays with both feet and has his head up looking for that key ball.
Right next to him is Nene Dorgeles. He’s 22, technically just outside our age group, but hard to ignore. With 13 goals and four assists, his unpredictable style and sharp finishing brought real danger to Salzburg’s attack.
The Argentine Inheritance
Just 17, Franco Mastantuono has River Plate buzzing—and Real Madrid too. With seven goal contributions in his last ten games, he’s already the heart of River’s midfield. After this tournament, he’s off to Madrid in a €63.2 million deal, hoping to follow in Messi’s footsteps.
He’ll get a serious test against Inter, with a chance to show he can hang with Europe’s best.
Madrid already has some exciting young talent—Endrick (18) and Arda Güler (20) among them. With injuries opening the door, they’ll get a chance to impress new manager Xabi Alonso, who’s known for trusting young players.
From Brazil to the Bridge
Estevao Willian, 18, has been lighting up Brazil’s top league, scoring 13 and giving full-backs nightmares. He’s set to join Chelsea later this summer, bringing his swagger and sharp left foot to London.
Cherki and the English Wave
At Manchester City, the focus is on creativity. They’ve brought in Rayan Cherki, 21—a tricky, balanced dribbler with an eye for the final pass. Some say he has shades of De Bruyne in his game. Pep Guardiola might experiment with lineups, but Cherki will definitely provide the spark.
Over at Juventus, City’s Group G opponents, Kenan Yildiz, 20, is one to watch. He led the team in take-ons last season and brings a nonstop, attacking style that keeps defenders guessing.
The Bellingham Legacy Continues
The Bellingham name is still going strong. Jobe Bellingham 19, transferred to Dortmund, like his brother Jude. He’s turning heads in practice already and an anticipated future key component of the midfield.
Another anticipated prospect next to him is Jamie Gittens, 20. He came out flying last season before tiring out, but his speed and ability to break down defenses are still a huge asset.
Chelsea’s Understudy Army
Back at Chelsea, Tyrique George, 19, is making a case for more minutes. After showing promise against LAFC, he’s another young attacker pushing for a bigger role.
Andrey Santos, 21, didn’t feature in that match but did well on loan at Strasbourg. He could take on a deeper midfield role this summer.
Porto’s Twin Threats
At Porto, Samu Aghehowa is making the old-school No. 9 cool again. Standing at 6’4″ with 25 goals in 39 games, he’s powerful but also surprisingly smooth on the ball.
Right behind him is Rodrigo Mora, 19, a smaller playmaker with a veteran’s calm and a scoring record that topped all other under-20s in Europe’s big leagues.
Defenders on the Rise
In defense, Dean Huijsen, 20, has moved from Bournemouth to Real Madrid and is aiming to prove he belongs with the best. Over at Benfica, Antonio Silva, 21, is already a cornerstone—tough, reliable, and always locked in.
Then there’s Jair Cunha, a 6’6″ center-back from Botafogo, likely heading to Nottingham Forest. He’s already making noise, scoring a header against Seattle Sounders and looking like a force in the air.
The Midfield Pulse
Seattle’s 19-year-old Obed Vargas is the perfect midfielder any coach would want—calm, well positioned, aware, and active. Over in Argentina, Milton Delgado, freshly 20, is being hailed as Boca Juniors’ next big thing.
He was the best U-20 defensive midfielder in the world according to the CIES Football Observatory in April. His intelligence and awareness are ahead of his time.
Scouting, Breakouts, and the Stakes
This tournament isn’t just about silverware—it’s a shop window. With global scouts watching, one great performance can shift a player’s entire career. Clubs are using advanced metrics, AI tools, and real-time tracking to identify breakout talent faster than ever.
Beyond that, there’s the pull of a transfer. A standout tournament here has led to massive moves in the past, and history could repeat itself this summer.
The Summer of Becoming
This isn’t just any tournament; it’s the Club World Cup that future generations will remember. This will be the competition that sparks the first recognition of Club World Cup Stars.
Presently, these youths are just trying to make their way—play, pass, dribble, and get attention. But sometimes, those little moments are where big careers begin. And we’re lucky enough to see it all unfold.
