Rising Stars Set to Dominate: Five Must-Watch Talents at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup commences this weekend in Chile, featuring numerous talented players with tremendous potential aiming to lead their nations to championship glory.
Stars like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and Sergio Agüero previously excelled in this tournament before developing into world-class talents.
This edition brings together exceptional young prospects traveling to Chile in pursuit of World Cup success. Outstanding displays at the U-20 level could elevate promising players who might also compete in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer.
With defending champions Uruguay absent from this tournament, the U-20 World Cup title remains wide open.
Here are five standout players worth monitoring closely.
Cole Campbell - United States
While he remains relatively unknown domestically, Cole Campbell has been excelling with Borussia Dortmund's youth squads and ranks among the club's most promising talents.
The Houston, Texas native ventured across the Atlantic for a stint in Iceland before Borussia Dortmund acquired his services in early 2024. The 19-year-old winger has recorded 12 goals and 14 assists across 35 matches for Dortmund's U-19 team.
Technical, aggressive and calm in crucial moments, Campbell's abilities have already secured him seven appearances with the German club's first team. He began his 2025–26 campaign with Niko Kovač's squad in the September 13 win against Heidenheim.
Gilberto Mora - Mexico
The youngest player to ever claim a senior international championship, 16-year-old Gilberto Mora represents Mexico's—and possibly the tournament's—most precious talent.
Mora demonstrates wisdom and game intelligence far exceeding his years. The Tijuana midfielder excels equally at orchestrating possession in the middle of the park and delivering incredible passes or finding the net himself.
Less than twelve months after becoming Liga MX's youngest ever scorer, Mora has attracted attention from major European powerhouses including Real Madrid.
El Tri brings a formidable roster to Chile, but no player holds greater significance to their championship aspirations than Mora.
Elyaz Zidane - France
Elyaz Zidane serves as an unquestioned starter for a U-20 France squad widely considered the tournament favorite in Chile.
The youngest among Zinedine Zidane's four sons transferred to Real Betis from Real Madrid in 2024 and has since established himself as indispensable within the club's youth system. Unlike his father and siblings, Elyaz commands attention as a commanding center-back for Bernard Diomède's "Bluets".
Zidane recently guided France to victory in the prestigious U-20 Maurice Revello 2025 competition and appears destined to anchor the team's defense during the World Cup.
Alvaro Montoro - Argentina
18-year-old Álvaro Montoro battled for his U-20 World Cup opportunity. Despite joining Botafogo this summer, his importance to the club initially made them reluctant to release him for Argentina's World Cup campaign.
Montoro debuted professionally for hometown club Vélez Sarsfield in January 2024. By year's end, he had become a consistent starter and contributed to the team's first Argentine league championship in more than ten years.
With over 50 professional appearances and experience in the Club World Cup and Copa Libertadores, Montoro stands among the key figures expected to spearhead La Albiceleste's tournament charge. He's versatile across the attacking front and, without Franco Mastantuono or Claudio Echeverri available, will shoulder significant offensive responsibilities.
Elias Montiel - Mexico
"He's a young talent but with exceptional current ability. You can see he's a player with excellent awareness and a promising future," Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso commented about Elías Montiel following their encounter in the 2025 Club World Cup.
Montiel and Pachuca confronted Real Madrid twice within six months, and the 19-year-old emerged as the standout performer for the Liga MX club on both occasions, even netting a spectacular goal in the Club World Cup loss while operating as a defensive midfielder.
The Pachuca youth product has accumulated nearly 80 professional matches. He earned the Bronze Ball during Pachuca's journey to the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final and played a crucial role in securing the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The young midfielder seldom misplaces passes and possesses exceptional quality rarely witnessed in Liga MX. A strong U-20 World Cup performance could accelerate his transition to European football.