Last Chance to Impress: Six New Faces Eyeing the 2026 World Cup

With the final pre-World Cup international break upon us, players are running out of time to earn their places in the squads that travel to Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer. There are some players who may well have timed their pushes for inclusion perfectly, however.

We’ve identified six first-time call-ups who will be eager to seize their opportunities on the international stage over the next week, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

Lennart Karl (Germany)

Germany fans were frustrated when Julian Nagelsmann resisted including Lennart Karl in his November squad. But their patience has been rewarded.

The Bayern Munich talent will get his first taste of senior international football over the next week, less than a year on from his club debut during the Club World Cup.

Karl, who turned 18 in February, makes up for any lack of physical prowess with silky feet and dazzling agility. His left-footedness and Bayern pedigree have led to comparisons with Arjen Robben.

Record-Breaking Achievements

In November, he became the youngest player in Champions League history (17 years, 277 days) to score on each of his first two starts. Four days earlier, he became the second-youngest Bundesliga player on record to score and assist in a single game. In December, he became the first Bayern player to reach five Bundesliga goal involvements before turning 18.

Germany aren’t short of attacking options but Karl is involved on merit. He ranks 11th among all Bundesliga players for non-pen xG (0.48) and shots per 90 (2.98), and joint 10th for expected assists per 90 (0.32).

Kees Smit (Netherlands)

Kees Smit could make his Netherlands debut when they face Norway and Ecuador in friendlies. The AZ star is the only uncapped player in Ronald Koeman’s squad.

Despite turning 20 in January, Smit is already integral to AZ’s midfield. Only Sven Mijnans (33) has created more chances from open play than Smit (27) at the club, while he leads all teammates for possession won (119).

Smit played a vital role in AZ’s surprise UEFA Youth League win in 2022-23, beating Barcelona and Real Madrid before hammering Hajduk Split 5-0 in the final.

Last summer, he was Player of the Tournament as the Netherlands won the UEFA Under-19 European Championship for the first time, finishing as leading chance creator (13) with four goals and an assist in five appearances.

Nathan De Cat (Belgium)

Although he doesn’t turn 18 until July, Nathan De Cat has become a first-team regular at Anderlecht and marked himself out as a potential star.

An imposing yet graceful midfielder, De Cat has shown effectiveness in numerous roles despite his age.

When he broke into Anderlecht’s senior team as a 16-year-old last season, comparisons with Sergio Busquets and Rodri suggested a deep-lying playmaker role. Then Jérémy Taravel arrived as coach in February, and De Cat was given more freedom.

Playing off the left with license to attack, De Cat has become more of a threat. He recorded four goal involvements in his last five Pro League games after managing just two between July and February.

There’s now a reasonable chance he’ll make Belgium’s World Cup squad. His performances have Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund interested in a potential move.

Igor Thiago (Brazil)

Igor Thiago is staking a claim as the most important player to a Premier League club in 2025-26.

The Brazilian has 19 goals in the Premier League, with only Erling Haaland (22) scoring more. Brentford’s striker has seven games to hit 20—something only Bryan Mbeumo (2024-25) and Ivan Toney (2022-23) have managed for the Bees.

He would become just the 45th different player to reach 20 in a 38-game Premier League season, and the first Brazilian.

Thiago scored 29 goals in 55 appearances for Club Brugge in 2023-24 before joining Brentford, only to miss almost all of 2024-25 through injury. He played just 168 Premier League minutes without a goal involvement last term.

With Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa departing after scoring 39 Premier League goals combined in 2024-25, the pressure was on Thiago to deliver for new boss Keith Andrews. He has.

He’s now received his first Brazil call-up for friendlies against France and Croatia, and could become the first ever Brentford player to represent Brazil.

Mika Godts (Belgium)

Mika Godts is enjoying a breakout season at Ajax in 2025-26, becoming one of the Eredivisie’s most productive attackers.

Primarily used from the left wing, the 20-year-old has scored 14 goals and set up nine in 26 Eredivisie appearances. No one can better his combined total of 23 goal involvements.

While he’s overperformed his expected goals (+4.97), Godts still ranks third for non-pen xG and expected assists combined (16.5).

Eight of his goal involvements (five goals, three assists) have come following a ball carry, two more than any other Eredivisie player. His total of 70 carries ending with a shot or chance created is 10 clear of anyone else.

He’s not guaranteed for the World Cup, but a positive impression this week could strengthen his position considerably.

Oskar Pietuszewski (Poland)

Oskar Pietuszewski could be one of Europe’s next wonderkids.

The youngest player in the Polish Ekstraklasa last season (16 years, 272 days), Pietuszewski came through at Jagiellonia Białystok and made his debut in August 2024 against Ajax in a Europa League play-off. Managing Ajax was current Porto manager Francesco Farioli—he obviously saw something he liked.

The winger has enjoyed a whirlwind few months since joining Porto in January. At only 17, he’s been thrust straight into first-team action.

His debut came 11 days after signing, coming off the bench and winning a penalty in a 1-0 win at Vitória Guimarães. After two more substitute appearances, he started against Nacional on 15 February and has started every league game since.

Across the last five matchdays, only Rodrigo Zalazar (eight) has been involved in more goals than him (five), with Pietuszewski scoring or assisting in every one of those five starts, including a brilliant strike against Benfica.

Now he’s earned his first Poland call-up and could debut in crucial World Cup play-offs. They face Albania before a potential final against Sweden or Ukraine.

Should Poland qualify, Pietuszewski could become their youngest ever World Cup player, breaking Andrzej Iwan’s 48-year-old record (18 years, 208 days in June 1978).

The World Cup Stakes

All six face a critical week. With the 2026 World Cup just months away, this final international break before squad selections represents a last chance to impress.

For Karl, Smit, De Cat, Igor Thiago, and Godts, their nations have already qualified. These friendlies offer a chance to stake claims without qualification pressure.

Pietuszewski faces the highest stakes—Poland must navigate play-offs. A strong performance could earn him a World Cup spot and help Poland qualify.

Read More: Italy’s Long Road Back: Can The Azzurri End Their World Cup Exile?

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