What better stage than the World Cup for a breakout star to emerge?
Theo Walcott’s career went into overdrive after being named in England‘s squad for the 2006 World Cup aged just 17 (although he didn’t play) and plenty of others have earned themselves a huge move after starring at the global tournament.
And with every country’s official squad for the upcoming Qatar tournament confirmed, there are a host of teenagers heading to the Middle East dreaming big and hoping to impress on the biggest platform possible.
Some of them will be well known to football fans – the likes of England’s Jude Bellingham, and Spain’s brilliant midfield pair Pedri and Gavi of Barcelona. Others will not – and those are the ones we’re focusing on.
The precocious talents flying under the radar, the starlets from across the planet you may not have heard of who could light up the World Cup.
Below, Sportsmail‘s Max Mathews rounds up nine of the best – including Newcastle’s latest starlet, a trio of African wonderkids and one who might follow in Erling Haaland’s footsteps.
There are a host of teenagers who will be hoping to impress at the upcoming Qatar World Cup, such as Garang Kuol (above), who recently signed for Newcastle and plays for Australia
Manchester United’s Hannibal Mejbri (pictured) will be representing Tunisia in the Middle East
Sunderland’s Costa Rican teen Jewison Bennette (above) could be another set to shine – and below, Sportsmail rounds up nine of the best wonderkids who could light up the World Cup
Garang Kuol (Australia)
It’s been some rise for Garang Kuol. Stratospheric, some might say. Born in Khartoum to South Sudanese parents, his family entered Australia as refugees when little Garang was just six, settling in Shepparton, Victoria.
He rose through the ranks at Australian side Central Coast Mariners and made his international debut for the Socceroos against New Zealand in September, the sixth-youngest ever to do so.
Kuol, 18, has – interestingly – yet to start a league match in his senior career but nonetheless has six goals in 13 appearances off the bench for his club side and a brilliant trick helped him set up Jason Cummings’ goal against the All Whites.
In late September, Premier League side Newcastle announced his signing – he is set to join the Champions League hopefuls in January, after the World Cup. Kuol is certainly a wildcard going into the tournament.
Garang Kuol’s South Sudanese family moved to Australia as…