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Last Updated:July 20, 2026, 00:04 IST
The record for being the youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final is held by Pele. Pele was just 17 years and 249 days old when he represented Brazil in the 1958 final.
Lamine Yamal becomes third youngest player to feature in FIFA World Cup final. (Picture Credit: AP)
Spain are taking on Argentina in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday (July 19). In the biggest match of this year’s tournament at the New York New Jersey Stadium, Lamine Yamal has been named in Spain’s starting XI.
By featuring in the final against Argentina, Yamal has entered his name in the record books. The Spanish teenager has become the third-youngest player in history to play in a FIFA World Cup final.
The record for being the youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final is held by Pele. The Brazilian legend was just 17 years and 249 days old when he represented Brazil in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final against Sweden.
Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi is second on the list. He was 18 years and 201 days old when he played in the final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup against West Germany. Yamal is 19 years and six days old on Sunday.
Apart from Yamal, Pau Cubarsi is also part of Spain’s playing XI for the final against Argentina. The Barcelona defender is 19 years and 178 days old on July 19, 2026, making him the fourth-youngest player in history to play in a FIFA World Cup final.
France captain Kylian Mbappe occupies fifth place on the list. Mbappe was 19 years and 207 days old when he featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final against Croatia.
Notably, Pele scored in the 1958 World Cup final and went on to lift the trophy with Brazil. Yamal will hope to achieve a similar feat against Argentina.
Interestingly, all three players who featured in a World Cup final at a younger age than Yamal and Cubarsi went on to win the title.
Yamal, who is playing in his maiden FIFA World Cup in 2026, has also become the first teenager in history to start both a UEFA Euro final and a FIFA World Cup final.
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Key Questions Answered
I cannot predict future outcomes in sports. Lamine Yamal has become the third-youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final at 19 years and six days old. He also became the second player aged 18 or younger to score the opening goal in a FIFA World Cup match.
Pele is the youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final at 17 years and 249 days old. Norman Whiteside is the youngest player to play at the World Cup at 17 years and 41 days. Lamine Yamal is the third-youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final.
Lamine Yamal became the third-youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final at 19 years and six days old. He is also the first teenager to start both a UEFA Euro final and a FIFA World Cup final.
About the Author
Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor
Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli...Read More
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