Last update 10 September, 2025 by Alberto Llopis
Youngest player to play a World Cup: record, List and curiosities (2025)
Direct response + Official data and examples by countries (with Spain) and younger scorers.
He younger footballer to play a World Cup es Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland): He debuted 17 years and 41 days in Spain 1982 (Yugoslavia 0–0 Ireland del Norte).
"My first World Cup was Italia 90 (I really enjoyed, USA 94): Since then there are many boys from 17–18 or less that they compete in the big stage. Especially in recent years where this trend has increased ”.
Absolute record: Norman Whiteside (17 years and 41 days) - España 1982
Other debutants "teen" in World Cups (≤18 years)
The following table collects relevant cases of soccer players who premiered with 17 o 18 years in a world cup. The list is not intended to be exhaustive, but useful and verifiable.
| Player | Selection | Exact age | World (year) | Debut party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin | Brazil | 17 years, 7 months, 23 days | Sweden 1958 | Brazil 2–0 USSR (group stage) |
| Samuel Eto'o | Cameroon | 17 years, 98 days | France 1998 | Cameroon 0–3 Italy (group stage) |
| Semens the Opbamamam | Nigeria | 17 years, 3 months, 9 days | Korea/Japan 2002 | Nigeria 0–0 England (group stage) |
| Solomon Olembé | Cameroon | 17 years, 184 days | France 1998 | Cameroon 1–1 Austria (group stage) |
| Rigobert Song | Cameroon | 17 years, 353 days | Of. His. 1994 | Chamber 2–2 Sweden (group stage) |
| Bartholomew Ogbeche | Nigeria | 17 years, 244 days | Korea/Japan 2002 | Nigeria 0–1 Sweden (group stage) |
| Manuel Rosas | Mexico | 18 years, 87–93 days* | Uruguay 1930 | Mexico vs Argentina (group stage) |
| Gravi | Australia | 18 years, 68 days | Qatar 2022 | Australia vs France (group stage) |
| *Literature varies in the calculation of days according to the reference party; The position of the podium of young scorers of Rosas is 2.º. | ||||
Coach note: debut with 17–18 impress; keep It is another league.
"In LaLiga I have seen many who arrived very young in team football; y are more those who have stayed on the road. Not everyone sustains the initial peak - as is said now, The prime”.
Spain: The youngest player to play a World Cup
The Spanish record belongs to Gavi, who played and marked in Qatar 2022 con 18 years and 110 days (7–0 in Costa Rica). That goal puts it 3.º In the historic list of younger scorers in the tournament.
Youngest scorers in the World Cups
- Skin (Brazil) — 17 years, 239 days (Sweden 1958).
- Manuel Rosas (Mexico) — 18 years, 93 days (Uruguay 1930).
- Gavi (Spain) — 18 years, 110 days (Qatar 2022).
Ojo: to be The youngest to play It is not equivalent to being The youngest to mark. Whiteside retains the record of precocity as a player; Skin Domers the youngest scorer and finalist.
Quick questions (FAQ)
Who is the youngest player to play a World Cup?
Norman Whiteside (Northern Ireland), 17 years and 41 days, Spain 1982.
In which match was the youngest footballer record in a World Cup?
Yugoslavia 0–0 Ireland del Norte, .
Who is the youngest Spanish in a World Cup?
Gavi, 18 years and 110 days (Qatar 2022). Besides, is he 3.º youngest scorer in the history of the tournament.
Who is the youngest scorer in the World Cups?
Skin — 17 years and 239 days (Sweden 1958). Is also the youngest finalist.
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