Five young stars poised to make World Cup debuts in 2026

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 2:05 PM

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

Five young stars poised to make World Cup debuts in 2026
Summary

The 2026 World Cup features five notable players making their tournament debuts, including Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal. Haaland, leading Norway, has been a standout with 16 qualifiers goals, helping his team qualify with a perfect record. Yamal, just 18, dazzled in Euro 2024 and continued his rise at Barcelona, scoring 16 goals this season. Other debuts include Alexander Isak of Sweden, who has recovered from injury, Kenan Yildiz of Turkey, and Michael Olise of France, who recently excelled in the Bundesliga. The tournament marks a significant return for Norway and Turkey after long absences.

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  • Erling Haaland scored 16 goals in qualifiers for Norway.
  • Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer in Euro history.
  • Sweden aims for a strong showing after missing the last World Cup.
  • Turkey returns to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.
  • Michael Olise led the Bundesliga with 19 assists this season.
Latest Updates
  • 2:05 PMYahoo SportsFrom Haaland to Yamal: Five big names featuring at their first World Cup in 2026.
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This summer will mark the first World Cup appearances for some of the game's top talents. There's no bigger stage than the World Cup and these elite names will hope to make an impression.Here are five...

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