There are plenty of young players who will be involved in Russia. In fact, there are seven teenagers at this edition of the World Cup.
We take you through the tournament’s 10 youngest participants.
10. LEE SEUNG-WOO | SOUTH KOREA | AGE: 20 | D.O.B: 06/01/98
Lee Seung-woo is the surprise inclusion in South Korea’s 23-man squad. The 20-year-old who plays for Verona in Serie B only made his debut last Monday in a 2-0 friendly win over Honduras but impressed enough to warrant a World Cup berth. The young winger is a product of La Masia and made one appearance for Barcelona B.
Lee Seung-woo
9. ISMAILA SARR | SENEGAL | AGE: 20 | D.O.B: 25/02/98
Ismaila Sarr began his professional career with French outfit Metz and moved on to Stade Rennais after just one season. He reportedly decided against a move to Barcelona to stay in French football. He’s a pacey winger who plays on either flank and has a penchant for the spectacular.
Ismaila Sarr (r)
8. IAN SMITH | COSTA RICA | AGE: 20 | D.O.B: 06/03/98
Jose Salvatierra suffered an ACL tear during the qualification stage and that opened up a spot for a full-back in the squad. Ian Smith was called upon and has managed to remain in the squad for the World Cup. The 20-year-old right-back is plays in Sweden for Norrkoping.
Ian Smith
7. JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ | PANAMA | AGE: 19 | D.O.B: 19/06/98
Panama have a rather aging squad but their average age would’ve been a lot older if it were not for 19-year-old Jose Luis Rodriguez. The midfielder plays for Gent’s B team in Belgium and only made his international debut on on 29 May 2018 in a 0–0 friendly home draw against Northern Ireland.
Gent II midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez played his first match for Panama yesterday and is included on the 23-man World Cup squad. He's 19. Nurse, Blackburn left off up top.
— Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) May 30, 2018
6. MOUSSA WAGUE | SENEGAL | AGE: 19 | D.O.B: 04/10/98
Moussa Wague joined Belgium outfit KAS Eupen shortly after his 18th birthday and made his professional debut in a 1–0 defeat to Genk. Wague came in fourth at the 2015 U-20 World Cup with Senegal. The 19-year-old right-back will provide cover for the established Alanyaspor defender Lamine Gassama in Russia.
Moussa Wague
5. TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD | ENGLAND | AGE: 19 | D.O.B: 07/10/98
Following a fine season with Liverpool, the youngster has prompted Gareth Southgate to include him in England’s World Cup squad having shown great composure in big games. A midfielder by trade, the 19-year-old has adjusted well to his right-back role as he helped Liverpool to a Champions League final berth.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
4. FRANCIS UZOHO | NIGERIA | AGE: 19 | D.O.B: 28/10/98
The Nigerian’s age has already made headlines as he currently holds the record as the youngest foreign keeper to play in La Liga. Francis Uzoho plays for Deportivo la Coruna. At the age of 12, his coach deemed him too slow for a striker and stuck him in goal instead. He never looked back.
Francis Uzoho.
3. ACHRAF HAKIMI | MOROCCO | AGE: 19 | D.O.B: 04/11/98
The Moroccan made history as the first Arab to play for Real Madrid early on this past season. The 19-year-old impressed at right-back when asked to fill in for the injured Dani Carvajal and went on to make 17 appearances over the course of the season, scoring twice and winning the Champions League.
Achraf Hakimi (l).
2. KYLIAN MBAPPE | FRANCE | AGE: 19 | D.O.B: 20/12/98
The French sensation needs no introduction. He followed on his tremendous breakthrough campaign with Monaco with a fine first season with Paris Saint-Germain. Despite living in the shadow of Neymar and Edinson Cavani, he scored 21 goals in 44 appearances and won the domestic treble. He’s tipped to take the World Cup by storm.
Kylian Mbappe.
1. DANIEL ARZANI | AUSTRALIA | AGE: 19 | D.O.B: 04/01/99
He’s the only player at the World Cup who was born in the year 1999. Following a superb spell with Melbourne City in the A-League, he was called up to the national team and only made his debut against the Czech Republic earlier this week. The tricky winger has scored a couple of spectacular goals at club level.
Daniel Arzani
