Every year, Football Manager introduces the world to new talents — players who have the potential to become global football stars. In FM26, the list of “wonderkids” is especially impressive: from young goalkeepers and defenders to attacking geniuses whose attributes promise a rise to football’s Olympus. We’ve gathered the best players under 20 for each position so you can build your own managerial dynasty.

What are wonderkids?

Wonderkids are players with high development potential (Potential Ability ≥150) who are under 20 years old as of July 7, 2025. These footballers are future superstars capable of becoming the core of a top club if given playing time and proper development.

Best FM26 Goalkeeper Wonderkids

Ferrán Quetglás — the leader among young goalkeepers. The Spaniard is already known for his consistency, excellent positioning, and reactions worthy of a seasoned professional. In an FM26 career, he can quickly claim the No. 1 spot at any La Liga club.

Kerem Matşlı — a Turkish talent with phenomenal reflexes and quick off-the-line speed. An excellent choice for clubs focused on fast, defense-based play.

Quenten Attigah — the youngest among the top prospects. The Dutchman stands out for his footwork, making him ideal for modern football that emphasizes active build-up play.

Топ-10 Goalkeeper Wonderkids:

1. Ferrán Quetglás — 20, Real Madrid, Spain
2. Kerem Matşlı — 18, Bursaspor, Turkey
3. Quenten Attigah — 16, AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands
4. Alessandro Nunziante — 18, Udinese, Italy
5. Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro — 21, AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands
6. Tommaso Martinelli — 20, Fiorentina, Italy
7. Dennis Seimen — 19, Stuttgart, Germany
8. Julian Eyestone — 19, Brentford, USA
9. Sherkhan Kalmurza — 18, FC Kairat, Kazakhstan
10. Théodore Pizarro — 17, SC Freiburg, Switzerland

Best FM26 Centre-Back Wonderkids

Dean Huijsen — a confident leader and potential captain. Reads the game well, strong in aerial duels, and comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Pau Cubarsí — one of the most well-rounded defenders of his generation. Accurate passing, perfect positioning, and maturity are the key traits that define his profile.

Leny Yoro — a physically dominant centre-back capable of anchoring any defense. Notable for his pace and strength, making him adaptable to any tactical setup.

Топ-10 Centre-Back Wonderkids:

1. Dean Huijsen — 20, Real Madrid, Netherlands
2. Willy Kambwala — 20, Villarreal, France
3. Pau Cubarsí — 18, FC Barcelona, Spain
4. Leny Yoro — 19, Man Utd, France
5. Finn Jeltsch — 18, Stuttgart, Germany
6. Luka Vušković — 18, Tottenham, Croatia
7. Jorrel Hato — 19, Chelsea, Netherlands
8. Matteo Palma — 17, Udinese, Italy
9. Karim Coulibaly — 18, Werder Bremen, France
10. El Chadaille Bitshiabu — 20, RB Leipzig, France

Best FM26 Left Full-Back Wonderkids

Myles Lewis-Skelly — a versatile and tireless player who can combine the roles of full-back and midfielder. In FM26, he develops quickly when used in possession-based tactics.

Lewis Hall — a confident defender with an excellent balance between attack and defense. Perfect for Premier League clubs that rely on quick transitions.

Jofre Torrents — a technically gifted left-back with a creative style of play. Has the potential to become the next Jordi Alba.

Топ-10 Left Full-Back Wonderkids:

1. Saba Kharebashvili — 16, Dinamo Tbilisi, Georgia
2. Myles Lewis-Skelly — 18, Arsenal, England
3. Lewis Hall — 20, Newcastle, England
4. Jofre Torrents — 18, FC Barcelona, Spain
5. Davinchi — 17, Getafe, Spain
6. Nico O’Reilly — 20, Man City, England
7. Souza — 19, Santos, Brazil
8. Lucas Jetten — 18, Ajax, Netherlands
9. Matteo Cocchi — 18, Inter, Italy
10. Tom Rothe — 20, Union Berlin, Germany

Best FM26 Right Full-Back Wonderkids

Rico Lewis — the benchmark of a modern defender. Can play in midfield and possesses outstanding tactical awareness.

Jesús Fortea — well-balanced in both defense and attack, with great passing and composure. His potential could see him grow into a top-tier La Liga player.

Daniel Banjaqui — a young Portuguese talent known for his stamina and aggressive tackling.

Топ-10 Right Full-Back Wonderkids:

1. Jesús Fortea — 18, Real Madrid, Spain
2. Rico Lewis — 20, Man City, England
3. Daniel Banjaqui — 17, SL Benfica, Portugal
4. Benjamín — 17, Real Madrid, Italy
5. Elias Baum — 19, Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany
6. Josh Acheampong — 19, Chelsea, England
7. Lucas Høgsberg — 19, RC Strasbourg, Denmark
8. Héctor Fort — 18, FC Barcelona, Spain
9. Iván Fresneda — 20, Sporting CP, Spain
10. Martim Fernandes — 19, FC Porto, Portugal

Best FM26 Defensive Midfielders Wonderkids

Ayyoub Bouaddi — one of the most talented defensive midfielders in FM26. His game reading and composure set him apart from his peers.

Gavi — a star of both the present and the future. A deep-lying playmaker with strong leadership qualities and iron discipline.

João Neves — the brain of the midfield, capable of controlling the tempo and breaking up opposition attacks.

Топ-10 Defensive Midfielders Wonderkids:

1. Ayyoub Bouaddi — 17, Lille OSC, France
2. Gavi — 20, FC Barcelona, Spain
3. Abdellah Ouazane — 16, Ajax, Morocco
4. Guille Fernández — 17, FC Barcelona, Spain
5. João Neves — 20, PSG, Portugal
6. Tom Bischof — 20, FC Bayern, Germany
7. Archie Gray — 19, Tottenham, England
8. Sverre Nypan — 18, Man City, Norway
9. Niccolò Pisilli — 20, AS Roma, Italy
10. Assan Ouédraogo — 19, RB Leipzig, Germany

Best FM26 Central Midfielders Wonderkids

Nico Paz — an Argentine with game vision comparable to that of seasoned professionals. His versatility allows him to play both centrally and in more advanced positions.

Arda Güler — a Turkish maestro with a brilliant first touch and a powerful shot. One of the most dazzling technicians in the game.

Franco Mastantuono — Argentina’s top talent of the new generation. Possesses creativity and confidence rarely seen at his age.

Топ-10 Central Midfielders Wonderkids:

1. Nico Paz — 20, Como, Argentina
2. Arda Güler — 20, Real Madrid, Turkey
3. Franco Mastantuono — 17, Real Madrid, Argentina
4. Luca Williams-Barnett — 16, Tottenham, England
5. Rodrigo Mora — 18, FC Porto, Portugal
6. Can Uzun — 19, Eintracht Frankfurt, Turkey
7. Gilberto Mora — 16, Club Tijuana, Mexico
8. Lucas Bergvall — 19, Tottenham, Sweden
9. Facundo Buonanotte — 20, Brighton, Argentina
10. Claudio Echeverri — 19, Man City, Argentina

Best FM26 Left Wing Wonderkids

Kenan Yıldız — one of the most versatile attacking players on the list. His powerful dribbling and long-range shooting make him a real threat from the wing.

Kerim Alajbegović — a technical and hard-working winger with high development potential.

Gabriel Mec — a Brazilian wonderkid with an excellent first touch and the ability to create chances out of nothing.

Топ-10 Left Wing Wonderkids:

1. Kenan Yıldız — 20, Juventus, Turkey
2. Kerim Alajbegović — 17, RB Salzburg, Bosnia
3. Gabriel Mec — 17, Grêmio, Brazil
4. Rio Ngumoha — 16, Liverpool, England
5. Mikey Moore — 17, Tottenham, England
6. Jay Robinson — 18, Southampton, England
7. Darwin Guagua — 17, Independiente del Valle, Ecuador
8. Alejandro Garnacho — 21, Chelsea, Argentina
9. Malick Fofana — 20, Lyon, Belgium
10. Amara Diouf — 17, Génération Foot, Senegal

Best FM26 Right Wing Wonderkids

Lamine Yamal — the symbol of a new generation. Exceptional dribbling, intelligence, and composure make him a player capable of entering football history.

Estêvão — already dubbed the “Brazilian Messi.” His speed and balance make him a nightmare for defenders.

Ethan Nwaneri — an English talent with incredible vision and maturity. Versatile and capable of playing centrally as well.

Топ-10 Right Wing Wonderkids:

1. Lamine Yamal — 18, FC Barcelona, Spain
2. Estêvão — 18, Chelsea, Brazil
3. Ethan Nwaneri — 18, Arsenal, England
4. Désiré Doué — 20, PSG, France
5. Roony Bardghji — 19, FC Barcelona, Sweden
6. Ben Doak — 19, Bournemouth, Scotland
7. Ibrahim Mbaye — 17, PSG, France
8. Tyler Dibling — 18, Everton, England
9. Shea Lacey — 18, Man Utd, England
10. Gabriel Carvalho — 17, Al-Qadsiah, Brazil

Best FM26 Central Attacking Mids Wonderkids

Arda Güler — one of the most versatile attacking midfielders in the world. Plays with top-level vision and creativity.

Franco Mastantuono — flexible, technical, and goal-oriented. Perfectly suited for vertical, fast-paced tactics.

Luca Williams-Barnett — an example of a young English talent who combines strength, pressing, and passing ability.

Топ-10 Central Attacking Mids Wonderkids:

1. Nico Paz — 20, Como, Argentina
2. Arda Güler — 20, Real Madrid, Turkey
3. Franco Mastantuono — 17, Real Madrid, Argentina
4. Luca Williams-Barnett — 16, Tottenham, England
5. Rodrigo Mora — 18, FC Porto, Portugal
6. Can Uzun — 19, Eintracht Frankfurt, Turkey
7. Gilberto Mora — 16, Club Tijuana, Mexico
8. Lucas Bergvall — 19, Spurs, Sweden
9. Facundo Buonanotte — 20, Brighton, Argentina
10. Claudio Echeverri — 19, Man City, Argentina

Best FM26 Strikers Wonderkids

Endrick — an undisputed leader. Already compared to Ronaldo for his power, technique, and determination.

Eli Junior Kroupi — a French forward with excellent first touch and natural goal-scoring instinct.

Francesco Pio Esposito — a powerful, classic striker who excels at using his body in duels.

Топ-10 Striker Wonderkids:

1. Endrick — 18, Real Madrid, Brazil
2. Eli Junior Kroupi — 19, Bournemouth, France
3. Francesco Pio Esposito — 20, Inter, Italy
4. Dastan Satpayev — 16, FC Kairat, Kazakhstan
5. Daulet Orynbasar — 16, FC Kairat, Kazakhstan
6. Sami Bouhoudane — 17, PSV, Netherlands
7. Emre Ünüvar — 17, Ajax, Netherlands
8. Francesco Camarda — 17, AC Milan, Italy
9. Harry Gray — 16, Leeds United, England
10. Jayden Danns — 19, Liverpool, England

FAQ

How to identify a wonderkid in FM26?

Look at the Potential Ability (PA) — a value of 150 or higher indicates exceptional potential.

Why do some players develop faster than others?

It all depends on playing time, training quality, and morale. Even a player with a 180 potential can “burn out” without consistent match experience.

Should you buy wonderkids right away?

Yes, especially those under 18 years old — they can be developed to fit your playing style and later sold for a profit.