Haaland, Yamal Head Goal.com's Top 10 Debutants — Youngest Player In World Cup 2026

Erling Haaland is set for his first World Cup in 2026, and Goal.com put the Norway striker on its list of the top 10 debutants for the tournament. The youngest player in world cup 2026 discussion is not just about age; it is also about first-time arrivals at a 48-team event that starts Thursday in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Haaland And Norway

Haaland enters with 55 goals in 49 caps for Norway, yet he has never played at a major tournament before 2026. Norway will face Iraq, Senegal and France in the group stage, giving him three immediate tests on the biggest stage he has had available.

Norway’s absence from the World Cup since 1998 makes his debut more than a personal milestone. He has built his international record without a tournament platform, so the 2026 event gives him the stage that has been missing from his résumé.

Yamal's First World Cup

Lamine Yamal will also make his World Cup debut in 2026. The 18-year-old debuted for Barcelona as a 15-year-old, then delivered one goal and four assists at Euro 2024 for Spain.

That profile explains why he sits near the top of the debutant list. He is already carrying major-tournament output into a World Cup that will be bigger than any before it, and his age only sharpens the attention around him.

Wirtz, Karl And Diaz

Florian Wirtz joins the debutant conversation after missing the 2022 World Cup while recovering from a torn ACL. He later scored twice at Euro 2024 and has since joined Liverpool in a deal that could be worth more than £116 million.

Lennart Karl suffered an injury on the eve of the tournament, while Luis Diaz has already played for Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Goal.com’s list stretches beyond Haaland and Yamal, but those two are the names most likely to define how the first 48-team World Cup is remembered.