05.06.2026 10:30
In the list of the best under-21 footballers prepared ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Turkey's Arda Güler ranked second and Kenan Yıldız ranked seventh.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, the most remarkable young talents set to play in the tournament have been revealed. In the list prepared ahead of the major event jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, two footballers from the Turkish National Team were included.
ARDA GÜLER IN SECOND PLACE
In ESPN's list of the best footballers under 21, Arda Güler was ranked second. The technical quality, game intelligence, and ability to change the course of the match of the national star who plays for Real Madrid were highlighted.
In the evaluation for Arda, it was emphasized that the young footballer has extraordinary ball control and makes a difference in preparing the next move on the field.
KENAN YILDIZ ALSO ON THE LIST
Kenan Yıldız, who plays for Juventus, took the seventh spot on the list. It was noted that the national footballer is one of the standout names in the new generation of the Turkish National Team.
Kenan's ability to play on the left wing and behind the striker, his ball control in tight spaces, and his effective use of both feet were highlighted among his notable features.
LAMINE YAMAL IN FIRST PLACE
At the top of the list is Barcelona and Spain's young star Lamine Yamal. Joao Neves from Portugal was ranked third, Pau Cubarsi from Spain fourth, and Nico Paz from Argentina fifth.
SOME STARS MISSED THE LIST
The criterion that footballers must be 21 years old or younger as of June 1, 2026 was taken into account for the list. It was stated that Gavi was not included because he did not get enough playing time at Barcelona, and some young talents were excluded from the evaluation because they were not in their national teams' recent squads.
LIST OF 21 PLAYERS
- Lamine Yamal - Spain
- Arda Güler - Turkey
- Joao Neves - Portugal
- Pau Cubarsi - Spain
- Nico Paz - Argentina
- Desire Doue - France
- Kenan Yıldız - Turkey
- Warren Zaire-Emery - France
- Lennart Karl - Germany
- Yan Diomande - Ivory Coast
- Nico O'Reilly - England
- Kobbie Mainoo - England
- Endrick - Brazil
- Rayan - Brazil
- Lucas Bergvall - Sweden
- Luka Vuskovic - Croatia
- Ibrahim Maza - Algeria
- Bazoumana Toure - Ivory Coast
- Ibrahim Mbaye - Senegal
- Ayyoub Bouaddi - Morocco
- Antonio Nusa - Norway