GOAL takes a look at 20 highly-rated wonderkids who could thrive at the 2034 World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is bidding to host
Saudi Arabia has launched a hugely bold and exciting bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in 10 years’ time. However, the big question still remains: which young players will sparkle on the world’s grandest stage in 2034?
Here, GOAL takes a look at the young prospects playing now who could be at the very peak of their powers. From Euro 2024’s star boy, Lamine Yamal, to Saudi record-breaker, Talal Haji, this is our NXGN 20 for 2034.
(C)Getty ImagesLamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain, 17)
Lamine Yamal might only be 17, but within the corridors of La Masia his name has been whispered for some time already. The talk has long been that Barcelona’s famed academy had done the seemingly impossible by conjuring up a worthy successor to Lionel Messi. At Euro 2024, he was perhaps the best player in the best team, and he will only be 26 when the 2034 World Cup begins.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWarren Zaire-Emery (PSG, France, 18)
Nominally a defensive midfielder, Zaire-Emery is able to dictate games from a deep position while also showing a willingness to get forward and join in with attacks. His passing ability is already among the best in Europe, and Pep Guardiola is a noted fan, having tried to sign the teenager for Manchester City in the past.
Getty ImagesKobbie Mainoo (Manchester United, England, 19)
Finding reliable central midfielders has been one of Manchester United’s many issues over the past decade of discontent at Old Trafford, but it seems that in Kobbie Mainoo they may finally have produced a player who is capable of controlling games at the very highest level. At Euro 2024, he thrived for England, as they reached the final.
gettyArda Guler (Real Madrid, Turkiye, 19)
Having emerged from the Fenerbahce academy in 2021, by the end of the 2021-22 campaign he had become the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer while earning comparisons to then team-mate Mesut Ozil. Some even went as far as to christen him ‘the Turkish Messi’ due to his dribbling ability and the way in which Guler was able to pick a pass even when in the tightest of spots, and he was soon snapped up by Spanish giants Real Madrid.