With Kobbie Mainoo being the youngest England player to feature at semi final in a major tournament at 19 years. While Yamal on the other hand is the youngest Spanish to play for Spain national team at 16 years. Despite both players performance both at club and national level, they are not the youngest football player in the world.
They both no where near the youngest International players, Kobbie Mainoo performance against Netherland in Euros2024 was exceptional.
The youngest International football player
According to statistics by RSSSF (Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation), the official record for the youngest footballer ever to play in a professional match belongs to Lukas Knecht. At a mere 14 years and 2 days old, Knecht took the field for the Northern Mariana Islands national team in 2007.
However, this record comes with some controversy. The Northern Mariana Islands is a small US territory with a limited football infrastructure. The match itself was more like a joke, raising questions about the legitimacy of the competition.
Despite the controversy surrounding Knecht’s record, there are numerous documented cases of incredibly young players making waves in the sport. In South America, countries like Brazil and Argentina have a long history of nurturing young talent. Stories like Stephen Appiah, who featured for Ghana at 14 years and 322 days old in 1995, shows the real youngest football player in the world.
Youngest Football Players in the World
| Category | Player | Age | Country | Competition | Year | Controversy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngest Ever (Official Record) | Lukas Knecht | 14 years, 2 days | Northern Mariana Islands | National Team Match | 2007 | Yes (Limited Football Infrastructure) |
| Youngest Internationals (Possible Controversy) | ||||||
| Aung Kyaw Tun | 14 years, 93 days | Myanmar | National Team Match | 2000 | No major controversy | |
| Moussa Latoundji | 14 years, 157 days | Benin | National Team Match | Unknown | Limited information available |
Youngest Football player to play in Men’s FIFA World Cup
It is also important we talk about the youngest football player to play at the Men’s FIFA World Cup. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Spain Gavi, Garang Kuol, and Youssoufa Moukoko of Germany were the youngest.
But they were all 18 years of age, over the years, Pele of Brazil, Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside had played.
The youngest football player to play at the Men’s FIFA World Cup is Northern Ireland Norman Whiteside. At age 17 and 40 days, Norman Whiteside made his World Cup debut for Ireland against Yugoslavia in 1982.
Manchester United player, Norman Whiteside also holds the record of the youngest player receive a yellow card at the FIFA World Cup. Though his career was cut short due to several injuries which made him retired from International side at 26.
Unlike Norman Whiteside, Pele of Brazil was the first youngest player to score in the World Cup on his debut game. At 17 years 239 days Pele scored against Wales at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Best youngest football player in the World
Pele was regarded as the best youngest player in the world scoring for Brazil at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. He scored in the quarter final against Wales which was his debut game, Pele also scored an hat trick against France in the semi final.
He holds the record of the youngest football player to score a hat trick at the Men’s FIFA World Cup. The Brazil young player did not just stop there, Pele also scored a brace in the final against host team Sweden, becoming the first youngest football player to score at the FIFA Men’s World Cup final.
Pele is also the first youngest player to win the FIFA World Cup at age 17 and 239 days. He is the most decorated youngest player to grace the game.
Youngest Players at the FIFA Men’s World Cup
| Rank | Player | Age | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norman Whiteside | 17 years, 40 days | Northern Ireland | 1982 |
| 2 | Samuel Eto’o | 17 years, 98 days | Cameroon | 1998 |
| 3 | Femi Opabunmi | 17 years, 100 days | Nigeria | 2002 |
| 4 | Salomon Olembé | 17 years, 184 days | Cameroon | 1998 |
| 5 | Pelé | 17 years, 234 days | Brazil | 1958 |
Who is England youngest International Player
Theo Walcott made his England debut at 17 years 136 days against Hungary, making him the youngest England player.
Everton young Wayne Rooney at same 17 years 111 days became the second youngest England International player.
