The opening is imminent! Without the “Yamals,” what will we watch at the U20 World Cup?

Written by Han Bing On September 27, 2025, the U20 World Cup (hereafter the Youth World Cup) will begin in Chile.

This tournament, dubbed the “Little World Cup,” has produced numerous stars since it started in 1977. Legends like Maradona, Prosinecki, Saviola, Messi, Aguero, Pogba, and Haaland all made their mark here as their first big breakthrough.

Similar to the Argentina Youth World Cup two years ago, this edition also sees many young stars who have already made their first-team debuts absent, which has somewhat dimmed the tournament’s appeal. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of promising talents for fans to look forward to — this event might be their true moment to impress the football world.

The U20 Youth World Cup has long been a key platform for rising stars to gain global recognition. The 1979 tournament was Maradona’s debut as a future football legend. When Chile last hosted the Youth World Cup in 1987, the champion Yugoslavian team, known as the “Chilean generation,” produced top players like Suk, Mijatovic, Boban, Prosinecki, Jarni, and Stimac. In the early 21st century, Argentina’s golden era of four consecutive U20 titles saw stars like Saviola, Messi, and Aguero emerge, followed by other elites such as Tevez, Di Maria, Mascherano, Gago, Banega, Zabaleta, Coloccini, and Romero.

However, in recent years, more U20 talents have risen to fame early, joining first teams in the top five European leagues and even becoming key players. The Youth World Cup’s scheduling outside international breaks is a critical flaw, causing many clubs to refuse releasing players. Consequently, the tournament’s role as a “star selection contest” has diminished in prestige.

This edition shows an even wider absence of eligible stars. Of the 111 U20 players worldwide valued over €10 million, only Brazilian winger Pedro from Zenit Saint Petersburg (€12 million) and Argentine winger Carrizo (€10 million) are participating. Among the 24 teams, 45 eligible players worth over €10 million did not come to Chile. This group includes the €200 million valued Yamal, as well as his highly priced Spanish teammates Cuba and Heison; the summer quadruple winners’ duo Due, Emery (PSG), Joro (Manchester United); Brazil’s Esteban, Endrick, Rock; and Argentina’s Mastantuono and Echeverri.

Additionally, traditional Youth World Cup powerhouses Portugal, the Netherlands, and England failed to qualify, resulting in the loss of many eligible stars and significantly impacting the tournament’s attention and appeal.

In terms of top-valued potential stars at this Youth World Cup, Latin American countries like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Paraguay dominate. Among the top 25 players by value, only Klemaci (USA, €5 million) and Keita Kosugi (Japan, €4 million) hail from outside these nations.

Argentina leads the top 25 valued players with nine representatives, showing clear group dominance. Among them, 19-year-old Argentine winger Maher Carrizo plays for Argentine top club Sarmiento. Earlier this year, he helped Argentina win the South American U20 Championship with 2 goals and 3 assists. He then scored 5 goals and made 1 assist in the Copa Libertadores, and netted twice in the Argentine Super Cup in September. Across 41 matches this year, he has tallied 16 goals and 4 assists, with his value soaring from €1.8 million at the start of the year to over €10 million. His club teammate Montoro transferred for nearly €8 million from Sarmiento to Brazilian giant Botafogo in June and is a starter at both clubs. However, right winger Prestiani, who joined Benfica early last year, is still struggling to secure a spot this season. Right winger Silvetti scored 2 goals and made 1 assist in 15 Argentine league matches in the first half of the year and transferred for €4.2 million to Inter Miami, where Messi plays, during the summer.

Brazil is also missing Esteban, Endrick, and Rock. Zenit Saint Petersburg’s left winger Pedro is the highest-valued player at this U20 World Cup; he moved from Corinthians for €9 million early last year and is a key starter for Zenit this season. David Washington (Chelsea) and Wesley (Al Nassr) left Brazil in recent years with transfer fees over €15 million but have not become starters at their clubs. A strong showing at the Youth World Cup could turn their careers around.

Spain, last year’s U19 European champions and a favorite to win this Youth World Cup, have no top eligible stars participating. The highest-valued player on the roster, Real Sociedad defender Martin, is merely a benchwarmer at his club. Given the even greater absence of top players from strong European and African teams, it’s likely that South American teams have a better chance to claim the title this time.

It’s worth noting that besides strength and value, fans can also keep an eye on the “sons of legends.” Among Zidane’s four sons, the youngest Elias, and the son of Ukrainian legend Shevchenko, Christian, are participating. However, neither has shown outstanding talent so far. Standing out at the Youth World Cup will still be quite challenging for them.