A special “fun” is to make up different national teams. Veterans, young players, from players who did not make it to the championship, etc. All of them are unofficial, but sometimes very interesting.
In this context, one of the most curious symbolic national teams is that of young talents under the age of 20, who could shine at the 2026 World Cup and become stars of the new generation.
Here is one such version of such a national team, posted on social media.
Young, but early
These players are considered the main young stars of world soccer for three key reasons: a phenomenal early breakthrough to the top level, unique playing skills and colossal market value. They are already defining the game of the best clubs on the planet and their national teams.
Goalkeeper – Guillaume Rest, France. Usually goalkeepers reach star status at a mature age. Therefore, we are unlikely to see young talents in goal at the World Cup-2026. But there are some of them in the squads of the second and third numbered national teams.
Guillaume Resta from France, who turned 21 on March 11, can be included in the symbolic team quite reasonably. He unexpectedly became the number three in one of the strongest national teams in the world.
Left defender – Nathaniel Braun, Germany. Abnormally influential in attack. In the season 2025/2026 he scored 4 goals and made 4 assists in the German championship.
Center defender – Luka Vuskovic, Croatia. Growth under two meters, total dominance on the “second floor” and high efficiency at corners. Tottenham paid about €14 million for him when he was only 16 years old.
Central defender – Pau Cubarsi, Spain. Unique for a defender ability to give the most accurate cutting passes under pressure. He was forced out of Barcelona’s starting lineup by experienced veterans at the age of 17 and established himself in the starting lineup of the Spanish national team thanks to his coolness and iron discipline.
Right-back – Malo Gusteau, France. A modern flank motor. Speed, stamina and perfect crosses (crosses) into the penalty area. He was able to fully replace the injured captain Reece James at Chelsea, becoming one of the most effective attacking defenders in the English Premier League.
Supporting midfielder – Aleksandar Pavlovic, Germany. The brains of Bayern’s midfield, strong in reading the game, intercepting the ball and dictating the tempo of the match in the center of the pitch. As a Bayern pupil, he has benched multi-million dollar star recruits and has become the main support man for Germany’s most titled club.
Central midfielder – Nico Paz, Argentina. The hidden motor of Italian “Como”, with whom he sensationally entered the Champions League. His spatial thinking, great dribbling at speed and the ability to link defense with attack make him an indispensable player on the field. After passing through Real Madrid’s academy, he went to Italy for game practice, where he immediately became one of the best creators in Serie A, earning a call-up to Lionel Messi’s Argentina national team.
Central midfielder – Arda Guler, Turkey. Turkish wizard with a radio-controlled left-footed shot, filigree technique and the ability to fulfill any standard. He became the leader of the Turkish national team at Euro 2024, scoring masterpieces from outside the box.
Left winger – Hilberto Mora, Mexico. “Mexican miracle” at the age of 17 has already made almost all the grads of world soccer hunt for him. His starting speed, courage in one-on-one tackles and high soccer IQ make him stand out even against the background of more mature partners. The youngest goal scorer in the history of the Mexican championship (at the age of 15).
Center forward – Endrik, Brazil. Explosive speed, incredible physical power and instinct “killer” in the penalty area made experts already now nicknamed him “the new Pele”. Real Madrid bought him from Palmeiras for €60+ million when he was just 16 years old. He has already scored for the Brazilian national team at the legendary Wembley and Santiago Bernabeu stadiums.
Right winger – Lamine Yamal, Spain. The main genius of the generation. Phenomenal dribbling, cosmic vision of the pitch and maturity of decisions, atypical for his age. At 16 he became a key player of Barcelona, and at 17 – the best young player and European champion in the national team of Spain. He is called the main heir to Lionel Messi.
It is clear that many may disagree with this choice and have their own opinion about the talents and merits of young geniuses.
In the symbolic team of soccer prodigies could well get French midfielder Warrenn Zair-Emery or English fullback Kobi Mainu, Portuguese defender Antonio Silva or his colleague from the Netherlands Jorell Hato, striker from Australia Nestori Irankunda and many others.
The main thing is that they are talented, ambitious and ready for great achievements. And who of them will show themselves better at the “Mundial” – we will see soon. And after the championship we can make another national team – those who really “lit up” on the fields of the USA, Mexico and Canada.
