Once you get through all the narratives, politics and weird peace prizes that surround the World Cup you finally reach the most important part, the game. Let’s not forget why we all love football, we want to see the best in the world competing at the highest level and there’s no doubting the excitement of watching Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Yamal etc.

Aside from this, the World Cup is also about discovery. In years gone by, before the twenty-four-hour media cycle and social media giving fans access to football around the world instantly, the World Cup would be your chance to see players you’ve never heard of from distant lands dazzling on the pitch.

More recently, the tournament has given young and up and coming players a platform to kickstart their career. Think of James Rodriguez in 2014 or Mesut Ozil in 2010. An amazing World Cup campaign for a young player might just be the start of something special. So, let’s dive into the five players you may not know yet…

Lennart Karl (Germany- Forward- 18 Years Old)

For those of you who haven’t heard of Lennart Karl you’re in for a treat this summer. A player likely to predominantly feature from the bench due to playing in the same position as both Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, but a player tipped to not only be the best German player in a generation but to perhaps become the best in the world over the next few seasons.

Karl first caught people’s attention in 2019 when he scored an outrageous goal playing Futsal for Frankfurt’s under elevens! The goal went viral due to his incredible touch, turn and finish without the ball even touching the floor. It’s rare that kid prodigy’s ever show their face in the men’s game, but this season Bayern have unleashed his talent.

During a record-breaking campaign in Germany, Bayern have turned to Karl thirty-six times in all competitions, he’s scored nine goals this season including four in the Champions League, his most memorable against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium.

There’s no doubting his insane talent. His small, diminutive size coupled with his unique close control, turn of pace and a wonderful left foot has led to comparisons to a certain Argentinian. Of course, there’s no point in going down that route. Karl needs room to learn from mistakes and develop his own abilities.

Keep a close eye on Germany this summer.

Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal – 18 Years Old)

This is the summer people will stand up and take notice of Ibrahim Mbaye. This is a super talented winger who already has all the attributes to take the world by storm. This has been a breakthrough season for Mbaye at PSG, making twenty-two appearances for the Parisians mostly from the bench. This is understandable with the likes of Kvaratskhelia, Doue, Barcola and Dembele all in front of him currently. Despite this, it’s clear this young talent will be making a bigger impact on European football next season, whether that be at PSG or elsewhere.

As for Senegal, Mbaye also had a huge impact from the bench in the African Cup of Nations in January. In the final he caused havoc for Morocco and almost scored one of the goals of the tournament, dribbling past three and four before forcing a great save from the keeper. This summer expect more of the same. Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr and former Liverpool legend Sadio Mane will likely start as the wingers but expect a lot of minutes from Mbaye. He’s all action, skilful, quick, strong and has a good final ball for a young player, whether that be a shot at goal or a whipped cross. He’s very reminiscent of a young Jeremy Doku. With Senegal featuring in a tough group, many eyes will be on them to make an impact, with Mbaye it feels as though Senegal have a secret weapon ready to be unleashed.

Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast- 19 Years Old)

Last but very much not least, it’s Antonio Nusa’s teammate at Leipzig… Yan Diomande.

You may have heard his name being spoken about over the last few months with links to a move to the Premier League’s elite. There’s a reason.

Let’s get through the stats part first, in the Bundesliga this season Diomande has eighteen goal contributions in thirty-one matches. His goal catalogue is seriously impressive, despite being predominantly right footed, he can shoot off both feet, dribble on the inside and outside of defenders and his pace is often too much for his opponents.

His rise has been as quick as the man himself; only last season he only made ten appearances for a Leganes team who were relegated from the Spanish La Liga. Suddenly, he’s one of RB Leipzig’s bright talents and if he impresses this summer will almost certainly move for big money.

He’s part of an exciting looking Ivory Coast team filled with young talent. They will need to be at their best from the beginning with tough group fixtures against Germany and Ecuador, however they will feel confident they can progress in this year’s tournament after a strong showing at AFCON this year reaching the Quarter Finals only to lose 3-2 to an inspired Egypt side.

Most fans will watch Diomande this summer and be hoping their team can raise the funds to sign this gem.

Nico Paz (Argentina- 21 Years Old)

The rise of Nico Paz over past twelve months has been impressive. Breaking through at Real Madrid at nineteen is a landmark within itself, he’s then had the maturity and confidence to move away from Madrid and his home to a young project in Italy, playing for Cesc Fabregas at Como.

Como have had a fantastic season in Seria A as they’re looking to upset the usual applecart in Italy and as it stands have a fantastic chance of making it in European competition, maybe even the Champions League. And any Italian football fan will tell you that at the centre of everything Como are doing, Paz is integral.

This season he has demonstrated a killer instinct in the final third of the pitch, scoring twelve goals from attacking midfield and providing six assists. His relationship with fellow Argentine prospect Maximo Perrone has helped Como control games and score a lot of goals, Como are the second highest goal scorers in the league only behind Inter Milan.

This summer Nico Paz is hoping to follow his father (Pablo Paz) in representing Argentina in a World Cup tournament. Paz is part of a new generation of Argentinian talent emerging since the last World Cup in which Argentina finally won the competition with Lionel Messi. Whilst this may be Messi’s last World Cup, he is still a huge factor in this squad and will aim to guide the new crop of players to more World Cup success.

As a player Paz balances his technical skill with height and elegance. Despite being six foot one inches, Paz can change direction quickly and glide past players with ease. If Argentina’s manager Scaloni can incorporate Paz into the team it will give them a new dimension.

Antonio Nusa (Norway- 21 Years Old)

Nusa is destined for the top and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him in English football within the next two seasons. After starting his career in Norway with Stabæk Fotball, Nusa gained a reputation as a hot prospect in northern Europe and was snapped up by Club Brugge. In one season he made his mark, playing in thirty games for the Belgian side and earning a move to Germany with RB Leipzig.

This season Nusa’s development has grown, leading him to a starting role on the left side of Norway’s attack. Even playing alongside Haaland and Ødegaard, Nusa stands out. His abilities to receive the ball in tight areas, isolate full backs and deliver high quality into the box makes him a valued asset to this team.

This summer Norway has a lot of expectations to perform and a tough group to do it in, with France, Senegal and Iraq making up group I. While the world will be focused on Norway’s global superstars, Nusa may just thrive off being the lesser-known entity of this side.

Haaland spoke about Nusa in 2024 saying “He's fantastic. So, it is important to take care of him and not hype him too much, even though he is a great talent. It is important to leave him alone and give him the opportunity to develop”.

Well, two years on it’s time to ignore Haaland and start giving him the hype he deserves!