FIFA has published its official list of the 20 youngest footballers to win the FIFA World Cup, highlighting players who lifted the sport’s biggest prize before celebrating their 21st birthdays.
The list, released on FIFA’s website, features football legends from different generations, including Brazil’s Pelé, France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal.
Winning the World Cup at such a young age remains one of football’s rarest achievements, with only a handful of players accomplishing the feat since the tournament began in 1930.
Pelé continues to hold the record as the youngest-ever World Cup winner. The Brazilian icon was just 17 years and 249 days old when he helped Brazil win the 1958 tournament in Sweden.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo follows in second place after becoming a world champion at 17 years and 298 days, while Italian defender Giuseppe Bergomi ranks third after lifting the trophy at 18 years and 174 days.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal is the newest name on the prestigious list after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Barcelona winger shares fourth place with Brazil’s Coutinho, with both players winning the title at 19 years and 6 days.
Another Spanish youngster, Pau Cubarsí, also made the ranking after helping Spain secure the trophy at 19 years and 178 days.
France captain Kylian Mbappé remains among the youngest champions in World Cup history after winning the 2018 tournament in Russia at 19 years and 207 days.
The ranking also includes several legendary names such as Kaká, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Julian Draxler and Luis Islas, reflecting the long tradition of young players making decisive contributions on football’s biggest stage.
FIFA’s 20 Youngest World Cup Winners
| Rank | Player | Country | Position | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pelé | Brazil | Forward | 17 years, 249 days |
| 2 | Ronaldo | Brazil | Forward | 17 years, 298 days |
| 3 | Giuseppe Bergomi | Italy | Full-back | 18 years, 174 days |
| 4 | Coutinho | Brazil | Forward | 19 years, 6 days |
| 4 | Lamine Yamal | Spain | Winger | 19 years, 6 days |
| 6 | Marco Antonio | Brazil | Full-back | 19 years, 135 days |
| 7 | Pau Cubarsí | Spain | Centre-back | 19 years, 178 days |
| 8 | Kylian Mbappé | France | Forward/Winger | 19 years, 207 days |
| 9 | Mazzola | Brazil | Forward | 19 years, 309 days |
| 10 | Ruben Moran | Uruguay | Winger | 19 years, 344 days |
| 11 | Felice Borel | Italy | Forward | 20 years, 66 days |
| 12 | Kaká | Brazil | Attacking Midfielder | 20 years, 69 days |
| 13 | Matthias Ginter | Germany | Defender | 20 years, 175 days |
| 14 | Luis Islas | Argentina | Goalkeeper | 20 years, 189 days |
| 15 | Clodoaldo | Brazil | Midfielder | 20 years, 268 days |
| 16 | David Trezeguet | France | Forward | 20 years, 270 days |
| 17 | Julian Draxler | Germany | Midfielder | 20 years, 296 days |
| 18 | Edu | Brazil | Winger | 20 years, 319 days |
| 19 | Thierry Henry | France | Forward/Winger | 20 years, 329 days |
| 20 | Uli Biesinger | West Germany | Forward | 20 years, 332 days |
The latest update reflects the growing impact of young footballers at the highest level, with players such as Yamal and Cubarsí continuing a tradition established by legends like Pelé and Mbappé.