The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is shaping up to be a historic tournament. For the first time, it will feature 32 teams and be held in the United States, bringing together champions from all corners of the globe. With clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Flamengo in the mix, fans can expect a month full of drama, flair, and high-stakes football.
But beyond the big names and seasoned stars lies a deeper storyline this tournament could be the coming-of-age stage for the next generation of football icons. Every edition of an international competition has at least one young player who bursts onto the scene and changes their career trajectory overnight. With that in mind, we’ve picked ten rising stars, all 23 or under, who could turn heads in the U.S. this summer. These are the players who might not just be the future of football they could be the story of this tournament.
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Now, let’s proceed with the list of the top 10 Young Players to Watch at the 2025 Club World Cup:
1. Desire Doué – A 20-year-old French forward at Paris Saint-Germain. He burst onto the scene at Rennes before joining PSG, and last season he was a key player in helping them win the French title and the Champions League. His quick dribbling and smart finishing make him exciting to watch, and he could cause trouble for any defense.
2. Franco Mastantuono – A 17-year-old attacking midfielder from Argentina who plays for River Plate. Even as a teenager he has been earning praise for his skill on the ball. He already has about 10 goals and 7 assists for River’s first team, showing strong dribbling and finishing. Coaches compare his flair to Argentina’s greats, so keep an eye on him making magic on the field.
3. Julien Duranville – A 19-year-old Belgian winger at Borussia Dortmund. He only played around a dozen games in the Bundesliga this season, but already fans notice his electric speed and trickery. Duranville was a youth star at Anderlecht before moving to Dortmund, and he’s known for dribbling past defenders. His pace and confidence mean he could surprise bigger teams.
4. Kenan Yildiz – A 20-year-old Turkish attacker now at Juventus. He came through Bayern Munich’s youth system and joined Juve’s first team last year. Yildiz is versatile – he can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder – and he’s praised for his vision and creativity. Some even compare his playing style to Mesut Özil. He’s hungry to prove himself on a big stage.
5. Martim Fernandes – A 19-year-old Portuguese right-back playing for Porto. He broke into Porto’s first team this season and immediately impressed everyone. In about 34 league games he racked up six assists, showing he can whip in dangerous crosses and help in attack. He also defends well for his age. In modern football a full-back like him is very valuable, and he’s part of Portugal’s exciting young generation.
6. Nico O’Reilly – A 20-year-old English midfielder at Manchester City. He’s a product of City’s famous youth academy and even played in Pep Guardiola’s first team this season. O’Reilly is known for his excellent vision, creativity, and passing. He helped Man City win the FA Cup by scoring goals and setting up teammates, despite splitting time with the youth squad. Guardiola himself praised him for making the most of his chances. His versatility (he can also slot in at left-back or defensive mid) makes him a dark horse at the Club World Cup.
7. Reed Baker-Whiting – A 20-year-old American midfielder for Seattle Sounders. He was named one of the top young prospects in world football by The Guardian in 2022. Baker-Whiting is praised for his adaptability – he can play on either wing or in central midfield – and his close control at pace. He’s still developing, but he’s already getting minutes in Major League Soccer. If he shows up in top form, he could demonstrate why the US soccer world is excited about him.
8. Rodrigo Mora – An 18-year-old Portuguese attacking midfielder at Porto. He had a sensational debut season for Porto’s first team, scoring around 10 goals and providing 4 assists in the league. Mora (sometimes called “Rei” Mora) is known for intelligent runs and a powerful shot. He even won a “Revelation of the Year” award in Portugal for his breakthrough. On the world stage, he could be a quiet star who turns games with a late goal or clever pass.
9. Siyabonga Mabena – An 18-year-old South African forward playing for Mamelodi Sundowns. Mabena was promoted to Sundowns’ first team at just 16, which is very rare, and he’s seen as one of South Africa’s biggest talents. He’s quick and skillful with the ball. Although he hasn’t scored much yet, his youth coach praised his natural talent. The Club World Cup could be his chance to grab some headlines if he gets opportunities to play.
10. Tyrique George – A 19-year-old English winger at Chelsea. Last year he helped Chelsea win the Europa Conference League, featuring in 12 games and even getting on the scoresheet for goals and assists. This season he made eight Premier League appearances, including a standout showing against Manchester United that drew praise from the coach. George is fast and tricky with the ball, and he’ll want to show more of that magic if Chelsea plays him in the Club World Cup.
Each of these young players has been turning heads with their recent performances. As the Club World Cup unfolds, watch for them to shine – they just might announce themselves as stars of the future.