Although devalued by the precociousness of new world stars such as Brazil’s Estêvão, Argentina’s Franco Mastantuono and Spain’s Lamine Yamal, the U-20 World Cup is still a great showcase where aspiring stars of the future can showcase themselves to the world.
Some of them are promising, while others have “interesting trajectories” that can be strengthened in a demanding tournament in which a surprise can never be ruled out. These are just some of the names on which scouts from around the world, who have already begun to land in Chile, will put their magnifying glass and camera in search of the talents that will shine in the near future.
Elías Montiel (Mexico)
At only 19 years of age, Montiel is already the offensive engine of Mexican club Pachuca thanks to his enormous ability to filter passes and enter the box to score.
He made his debut with his team in 2023 and since then has already excelled in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup, where he won the bronze ball after his great performance against Real Madrid, and also in the 2025 Club World Cup.
Néiser Villarreal (Colombia)
One of the most anticipated players for the U-20 World Cup after his impeccable performance at the South American U-20 2025 in which Colombia finished as third place finisher and Villarreal scored a total of 8 goals and provided 4 assists, including a hat-trick against Paraguay and decisive goals against Brazil and Uruguay.
These numbers helped the Millonarios-trained player to win the award for top scorer of the tournament.
And to enter the list of possible future reinforcements of renowned clubs such as Vasco de Gama, Barcelona or Chelsea, among others.
Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
One of those players who fall in love with the ball and his brilliant technique.
He is only 16 years old, but Mora plays with the serenity of a 30-year-old, managing the tempo in midfield and being the compass of both his club, Tijuana, and his national team.
The young midfielder has already made his debut with the senior national team, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup earlier this year and leaving a very good impression in the minutes he played.
Benjamin Cremaschi (United States)
The American can boast that at just 20 years of age he has already shared a dressing room with legends such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami.
He left the team to begin his European career with a loan spell at Italian club Parma.
Born to Argentine parents, Cremaschi went on to play for the Albiceleste’s U-20 national team under Javier Mascherano, who would later coach him in Miami.
Now, he arrives as the main threat to the Stars and Stripes.
Ali Maamar (Morocco)
The Moroccan defender is already a key member of Anderlecht’s Belgian first-team backline, having played six matches this season at a high level.
As a right back, Maamar has been characterized by his defensive and offensive solvency, qualities that have already earned him a leading role at his club and which he hopes to maintain during this U-20 World Cup.
Jan Virgili (Spain)
The Spanish national team left out big names who are already important for their respective clubs, such as Pau Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal, Gonzalo García and Matías Fernández-Pardo.
However, the team coached by Paco Gallardo has players with a lot of projection, such as Jan Virgili, who recently exploded in Mallorca with great games that already make him a player to be taken into account in the attacking zone of La Rojita.
The 19-year-old Catalan winger is enjoying a great start to the season, to the point that his club tried to stop his call-up for this U-20 World Cup.
Gianluca Prestianni (Argentina)
The Portuguese Benfica winger is one of the last-minute good news for the Albiceleste national team, raising its expectations for the U-20 World Cup.
Prestianni was not originally going to attend the World Cup after coach Bruno Lage refused to do so.
However, the arrival of José Mourinho in Lisbon led to the lifting of the veto and allowed the Vélez Sarsfield-trained player to represent his country at Chile 2025.
Enso González (Paraguay)
González suffered a cruciate ligament rupture during last year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
An injury that looked like it might cut his career short, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The resilient Wolverhampton England winger is back after missing the South American U-20 Championship to be at his best in what looks to be an exciting tournament for the South American side.
Mattia Liberali (Italy)
The current runner-up in the World Cup counts among its ranks a player who caused a stir in Italy during the last transfer window after leaving the club where he grew up, AC Milan, to join Serie B side Catanzaro in search of playing time and continuity.
Liberali is a regular in the Azzurri youth national team and at the age of 19, he already stands out for his talent, creativity, a devilish dribble and a powerful left foot.
Deivid Washington (Brazil)
The Chelsea striker, who won the South American Under-20 Championship, arrives as the Canarinha’s main player after a season in which he returned on loan to the club that trained him, Santos, where he shared a dressing room with Neymar Jr.
In his return to the Brazilian league, Washington played 17 games and scored one goal.
In September, he returned to London, where this season he will be looking for a place in the first team in a forward line full of top players, some of them compatriots, such as João Pedro and Estêvão.
Keita Kosugi (Japan)
The Japanese left-back is already on the ‘wish list’ of big European clubs, with reports linking him with Celtic, Atalanta and even PSG.
For the time being, the Japanese defender will spend one more season at Swedish side Djurgårdens IF, with whom he closed a spectacular 2024/25 season in which he made a total of 29 appearances.
Rafael Mosquera (Panama)
Panama is one of the signs that the Caribbean countries are gaining weight in national team soccer, with an increasing presence in the formative game.
One of the Canalero team’s promising young players for the U-20 World Cup is Rafael Mosquera, a player from the New York Red Bull affiliate.
Although he has already had the opportunity to play his first minutes with the first team in MLS.
Mosquera, a striker and key player for Panama, arrives in Chile 2025 after being decisive in the last South American U-20 Championship, where he scored three goals.
Including the winning goal in the quarter-final against Canada that certified his team’s qualification for this U-20 World Cup.
With information from EFE
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