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From the Club World Cup to the World Cup 26
- Several youngsters grabbed the headlines at the Club World Cup
- Some of them have played their way into the plans of their national teams as a result
- If their good form continues, they could be key players at next year’s World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ reached its crowning glory on Sunday when Chelsea FC defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the final, but now, slowly but surely, fans around the world are turning their attention to the FIFA World Cup 26™.
Some youngsters made a lasting impression with their clubs in the United States and will now be looking to build on those performances with their national teams. FIFA takes a look at five players who came to the fore at the Club World Cup and could now go on to become key figures at international level.
Rodrigo Mora | Midfielder | FC Porto | Portugal
At just 18 years of age, FC Porto’s Rodrigo Mora made history in his side’s 4-4 draw with Al Ahly as his strike made him the youngest scorer at the Club World Cup. The attacking midfielder is a fine dribbler, and his form in the United States regularly posed major problems for his opponents.
After coming through the youth ranks at the Portuguese giants, Mora broke into the professional squad in the 2024-25 season and promptly hit the ground running. His standout performances in Liga Nos have already earned him a call-up to the Portuguese national team, but he is yet to make his debut.
If he has another good season at Os Dragões, the youngster could well play his way into Portugal coach Roberto Martínez’s plans. Mora is particularly dangerous when he dribbles in tight spaces, and he is a good finisher with both feet. Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes will both be 31 by the time of next year’s World Cup, and Mora could provide Portugal with another option off the bench with his drive and youthful energy.
Marcos Leonardo | Striker | Al Hilal | Brazil
After just eight months at SL Benfica, Marcos Leonardo moved to Al Hilal in September 2024 for a whopping €40 million – and he made an immediate impact. In just 43 games for the Saudi giants, the Brazilian has notched 29 goals and set up a further four. He has not yet been called up by the Seleção, but if his impressive form continues, that too should only be a matter of time.
Leonardo also stood out at the Club World Cup under new coach Simone Inzaghi. He scored a brace against Manchester City in the round of 16, his extra-time winner providing one of the tournament’s most unforgettable moments. “I’m a centre-forward; I live and breathe scoring goals. And there’s nothing better than scoring two goals against a team as big as Manchester City,” enthused the 22-year-old after the final whistle.
The Brazilian scored four goals and provided one assist on Al Hilal’s march to the quarter-finals, but his strike against Fluminense FC was not enough to prevent his side slipping to a 2-1 defeat. With no player having established himself up front for Brazil of late, Leonardo stands a very good chance of making it to the World Cup next year.
João Pedro | Striker| Chelsea FC | Brazil
Hardly any other young player attracted as much attention at the Club World Cup as João Pedro – in just two matches and after only a few training sessions with his new team. His two decisive goals in the semi-final and his strike that set the seal on Chelsea’s 3-0 win in the final against Paris Saint-Germain spoke volumes.
All three goals were stunning in their own right, but the 23-year-old was also able to shine as a playmaker. With their performances in the United States, João Pedro and Marcos Leonardo have clearly done their chances of being Brazil’s new number 9 no harm whatsoever.
The Chelsea new boy made his debut for the Seleção at the end of 2023, but he has only won two more caps since then and has yet to fully make his mark at international level. His rapid start to life in a Blues shirt has no doubt brought him back to the fore though, and if he can build on his performances at the Club World Cup throughout next season, it would be a surprise if Carlo Ancelotti were to overlook him for next year’s World Cup.
Franco Mastantuono | Winger| River Plate | Argentina
Franco Mastantuono’s transfer to Real Madrid was completed a few weeks ago, but the Argentine was able to bid farewell to his boyhood club CA River Plate at the Club World Cup.
Anyone watching Mastantuono would probably never guess that he is just 17. In addition to an impressive physique for his age, he boasts an innate understanding of the game and a very fine left foot.
He made his debut for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Chile in early June, playing the last six minutes of the match alongside Lionel Messi and co.
Whether he can play a key role for Argentina at the World Cup will also depend on how he asserts himself in a top-class Madrid squad. Xabi Alonso has shown in the past that he is not afraid to throw young players in at the deep end, however, and Mastantuono could well be the one to benefit.
Gonzalo García | Striker| Real Madrid C.F. | Spain
Gonzalo García, 21, has only been part of the Real Madrid first-team squad since early June, but he played his way straight into the spotlight at the Club World Cup. With four goals and one assist in his six appearances, he not only posed a threat in front of goal, but also impressed with his tireless running and pressing. Small wonder, therefore, that he quickly established himself in Xabi Alonso’s starting 11 during the tournament, despite the fierce competition in Real’s ranks.
The Real Madrid youth academy graduate had only played a few games for the Spanish club’s U-18 and U-19 teams, but if Alonso continues to back him and he picks up where he left off at the Club World Cup next season, he can surely expect a call from Spain’s national-team coach Luis de la Fuente soon.
Mikel Oyarzabal has impressed up front for Spain recently, but they will need more options at the World Cup – especially as Álvaro Morata will be 33 by then. If García continues to develop with Los Blancos, he should soon be a serious alternative in attack for the Spanish.
