Who is the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup?
Gilberto Mora of Mexico is the youngest player at the tournament, born on 14 October 2008 in Tuxtla, Mexico.
He turned 17 just months before the 2026 World Cup kicked off in Mexico City on 11 June.
Mora is an attacking midfielder for Liga MX side Club Tijuana. The key facts on him:
- Date of birth: 14 October 2008
- Age at the World Cup: 17 years and 240 days
- Country: Mexico
- Club: Club Tijuana (Liga MX)
- Position: Attacking midfielder
He is also the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at a World Cup, a record he set when he made the 26-man squad chosen by head coach Javier Aguirre.
In August 2024 he became the youngest player to start and score in Liga MX history, aged just 15.
He then debuted for the senior Mexico side in January 2025 at 16, the youngest player ever to wear the El Tri shirt.
Mora was also part of the Mexico team that won the 2025 Gold Cup, making him the youngest winner of a FIFA-recognised men’s international tournament.
At club level he has already racked up serious numbers for his age:
- Appearances: Around 50 games for Club Tijuana
- Goals: Eight for the club
- Interest: Reportedly scouted by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Premier League clubs
Other teenage players at the 2026 World Cup
Mora headlines a group of 22 teenagers named in the 48 squads at this World Cup.
He is the only 17-year-old, but several 18-year-olds are worth watching across the group stage. The next-youngest players named are:
- Hugo Sochurek (Czech Republic): Sparta Prague midfielder, born 7 June 2008
- Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal): PSG forward, born 24 January 2008
- Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt): Striker nicknamed “the Egyptian Haaland,” born 1 January 2008
Spain’s Lamine Yamal is one of only 11 eighteen-year-olds at the tournament, but he does not make the top 10 youngest.
Brazil’s Endrick and Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande, both 19, are among the other young forwards tipped to make an impact.
Youngest meets oldest: a 26-year gap
The youngest and oldest players at this World Cup are separated by almost 26 years, one of the widest age gaps in tournament history.
At the other end is Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, the oldest player in the competition at 43 years and 162 days.
To put the gap in perspective, Gordon was already playing in the Premier League by the time Mora was born in 2008, according to Planet Football.
How to follow Mora and the World Cup from the region
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with Mexico playing its group-stage matches at home.
Mexico opened the tournament at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mora came off the bench to become the youngest Mexican to play at a World Cup.
If you’re travelling to catch matches, the three Mexican host cities are the closest to El Tri’s campaign:
- Mexico City: Search flights to Mexico City and hotels in Mexico City
- Guadalajara: Guadalajara airport tracking and hotels in Guadalajara
- Monterrey: Monterrey airport tracking
US host cities including New York, Los Angeles and Dallas host knockout fixtures, while Toronto and Vancouver are Canada’s venues.
You can track flights and check schedules to any of these cities on the Wego flight tracker before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the youngest player at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, at 17 years and 240 days old. He is the only player under 18 across all 48 squads.
What club does Gilberto Mora play for?
He plays for Club Tijuana in Mexico’s top division, Liga MX. He has reportedly been scouted by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Premier League clubs.
Who is the oldest player at the 2026 World Cup?
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, at 43 years and 162 days. That makes for a gap of almost 26 years between him and Mora.
Is Lamine Yamal among the youngest players?
No. The 18-year-old Spain star is one of 11 eighteen-year-olds at the tournament but does not make the top 10 youngest players.
Sources
- ESPN — World Cup’s youngest player, Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, 26 years younger than the oldest
- Planet Football — The 10 youngest players at the 2026 World Cup
- WhoScored — Youngest and Oldest Player and Manager at the 2026 World Cup
- FIFA — Youngest players at the FIFA World Cup 2026
- Yahoo Sports — Youngest players in the World Cup: Meet Gilberto Mora, Lamine Yamal
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