By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Playing for your country in the FIFA World Cup might be a schoolboy’s dream. But imagine doing it when you were the age of a schoolboy. This was the reality for a select few.
Norman Whiteside is the youngest player in World Cup history. Norman made his first FIFA World Cup appearance for Northern Ireland against Yugoslavia in 1982 when he was 17 and 41 days old.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be bittersweet for some of the game’s legends, which may be making their final appearance on football’s biggest stage. This is likely the last World Cup for the game’s all-time greats, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
5. Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco) – 18 Years 194 Days
Morocco has named 18-year-old Bilal El Khannouss to their FIFA World Cup squad for 2022. The child was born on May 10, 2004.
Because of his outstanding performances for Racing Genk, he became the talk of the town in Belgium. El Khanouss had the choice of representing Belgium or Morocco but chose the latter.
The 18-year-old has been a member of Genk since he was 14 years old and has represented Belgium at the u15 and u16 levels. So far in the 2022-23 season, the attacking midfielder has provided one assist in 16 appearances across all competitions for Racing Genk and is expected to be a youngster to watch in Qatar.
4. Jewison Bennette (Costa Rica) – 18 Years 158 Days
Born on the 15 June 2004, Jewison Bennette will be 18 Years 158 Days as of the 20th of November, the 2022 world cup kick-off day.
The young winger was instrumental in Costa Rica earning 19 points out of a possible 21 in their last seven World Cup qualifiers.
This helped them qualify for the intercontinental playoffs, where they eventually defeated New Zealand 1-0. Bennette is currently a Championship player for Sunderland. So far this season, he has three goals and one assist in 16 appearances across all competitions.
The teenager has two goals and two assists in seven appearances for Costa Rica across all competitions so far in his career.
3. Gavi (Spain) – 5 August 2004 18 Years 107 Days
Gavi was born on August 5, 2004. He needs no introduction, as he has been a regular for Barcelona. The young Spanish prodigy has already made a name for himself as a key member of La Roja and Barcelona. The young central midfielder’s skills and awareness of the game belie his years, and it is anticipated that he will be a key player for Spain at the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
This season, the 18-year-old has made 19 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions and has contributed one assist. He has played in 12 Spanish national team matches and scored one goal.
2. Garang Kuol (Australia) – 18 Years 66 Days
Garang Kuol is Australia’s youngest player in the squad of 26. Kuol is an intriguing football player who has yet to start a league game in his senior career and is a mystery heading into the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Kuol will join Newcastle United of the Premier League in January 2022. While filling in for his current team, the Central Coast Mariners, he has impressed with some performances. He has appeared as a substitute in 12 league games and received his first call-up to the Australian national team in September.
He made his debut for Australia in a friendly match against New Zealand. Graham Arnold, the Socceroos coach, believes Kuol has a good chance of making an impression at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
1. Youssoufa Moukoko (Germany) – 18 Years 0 Days
November 20, 2022, which marks the kick-off of the Qatar world cup, marks Youssoufa Moukoko’s eighteenth birthday.
He’s having a breakout season and piqued top European clubs’ interest. The teenager has been sensational this season and is one of Borussia Dortmund’s best players.
This season, he has six goals and four assists in 22 appearances for Dortmund across all competitions. The fact that he has only started 11 games makes his statistics even more impressive.
Moukoko will be the youngest starlet to grace the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
