Since its inaugural edition in 1985, the FIFA U-17 Men's World Cup has served as a showcase for emerging academy talents looking to demonstrate their potential on the international stage.
As the 48-team 2026 edition unfolds in Qatar, the tournament's brightest prospects are no longer just academy hopefuls. Some are already making an impact at senior club level.
As the tournament prepares to get underway on November 19, Striver.Football profiles 12 players who have already experienced senior football and could use that experience to their advantage in Qatar.
1. Maki Kitahara (Japan)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 17
Born July 7, 2009, Kitahara rewrote Japanese football history in March 2025 when he debuted for FC Tokyo at 15 years, 7 months, and 22 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the J1 League.
After making 10 senior appearances for his parent club, the creative playmaker joined J2 side Fujieda MYFC on loan in mid-2026 and quickly opened his professional scoring account. He arrives in Qatar as the reigning 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup MVP.
2. Uriel Ojeda (Argentina)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 17
Entrusted with Argentina’s iconic No. 10 shirt in Doha, Ojeda forced his way into San Lorenzo’s senior first team in the Argentine Primera División during the 2026 campaign.
His seamless adaptation to the physical demands and intense pressure of top-flight football in Buenos Aires prompted the club to lock down his future with a $20 million buyout clause ahead of the World Cup.
3. Giovanni Baroni (Argentina)
Position: Right Winger / Attacking Midfielder
Age: 17
Baroni (born January 21, 2009) made his senior debut for CA Talleres against Newell's Old Boys in January 2026, providing a decisive assist in a 2-1 victory and quickly establishing himself in the first team.
The left-footed set-piece specialist also netted his first senior strike in Copa Argentina action and signed a contract extension through 2028 before taking on primary creative duties for Argentina in Group C.
4. Holmes Zamorano (Spain)
Postition: Centre-Back / Central Midfielder
Age: 17
Standing 1.85m tall, the Spanish-Colombian defender, widely known as Holmes Junior, earned a contract extension with Girona until 2029 following an impressive 2026 pre-season.
Shortly after turning 17 in August 2026, he broke straight into Girona’s senior lineup in Spain’s Segunda Division, making eight league appearances and scoring his first senior goal against CD Castellon in September before linking up with La Rojita.
5. Besian Kutleshi (Australia)
Position: Defensive Midfielder / Centre-Back
Age: 17
Having captained Australia to their first U-17 World Cup appearance since 2019, Kutleshi first experienced senior football at just 14 in Victoria's VPL1.
After featuring in the Australia Cup at 15, he made both his AFC Champions League bow and A-League Men debut for Melbourne City FC at 16, entering Doha as an established starter in the 2026–27 A-League Men season.
6. Ryan Sheridan (Republic of Ireland)
Position: Attacking / Central Midfielder
Age: 17
Crowned St Patrick’s Athletic’s 2026 Young Player of the Year, Sheridan (born March 31, 2009) broke into the League of Ireland Premier Division side in July 2026 and quickly became indispensable.
He delivered a standout performance in an FAI Cup upset against Shamrock Rovers, played 120 minutes against Bohemians and scored his first senior league goal in September 2026, strengthening his reputation ahead of Ireland's Group I clash with Brazil.
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7. Jahmarie Nolan (Jamaica)
Position: Striker / Attacking Midfielder
Age: 17
After debuting and finding the net in the Jamaica Premier League at just 14, Nolan (born November 11, 2009) earned a short-term MLS first-team call-up in May 2026 to make his senior debut for Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship.
Following his Best Player award at the Concacaf U-17 qualifiers, he was fast-tracked straight into Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz squad in October 2026, registering an assist on his full international debut.
8. Dragan Anokic (Serbia)
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Age: 17
Developed within Red Star Belgrade's academy, Anokic joined affiliate club RFK Graficar on loan in 2026 to gain regular experience in senior football.
Spending the campaign playing regular senior minutes in Serbia’s demanding second tier has prepared him to spearhead Serbia’s historic first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup appearance.
9. Owen Mukisa (Uganda)
Position: Attacking / Right Midfielder
Age: 15
One of the youngest players competing in Doha, the St. Mary’s Kitende graduate (born July 14, 2011) earned promotion to the senior first-team squad of Ugandan Premier League champions Vipers SC for the 2026/27 campaign before captaining the Uganda Cubs into their second consecutive U-17 World Cup appearance.
10. Issa Chole (Tanzania)
Position: Striker
Age: 16
Wearing Tanzania’s No. 9 shirt, Chole (born May 5, 2010) integrated into senior domestic football with Fountain Gate through the TFF Talent Development Scheme prior to the tournament, bringing first-team physicality into Tanzania’s historic men’s FIFA tournament debut.
11. Maikah Dau (Fiji)
Position: Central Midfielder
Age: 17
Having played senior football in Fiji since 2024, Dau (born April 29, 2009) made 27 appearances for Nasinu FC before featuring in 13 matches for Bula FC during the inaugural OFC Professional League in 2026. He also scored twice during his first senior international campaign, helping Fiji win the 2026 MSG Prime Minister's Cup.
12. Steevy Andrew (New Caledonia)
Position: Midfielder / Forward
Age: 17
A regular contributor to Tiga Sport's senior team in New Caledonia, Andrew enters his second consecutive U-17 World Cup with valuable domestic and international experience.
What senior football experience could mean at the U-17 World Cup
Competing against senior professionals at 15, 16 and 17 can help young players develop their decision-making, physical awareness and understanding of the game in ways that academy football alone cannot replicate.
As the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup progresses towards the knockout stages, the nations featuring players with senior football experience could benefit from their greater exposure to physical challenges, competitive pressure and demanding match situations.
