The players we'll be watching at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup
A complete guide to the tournament in Chile, including every squad in full and the most exciting prospects to keep track of
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This week’s edition of The Shortlist is a return to our youth tournament preview format. That’s because, if you didn’t know, the FIFA U-20 World Cup begins this weekend and the sons of Zinedine Zidane and Andriy Shevchenko will be playing in it.
As a treat, we’ll be answering the following questions for you:
- When is the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup?
- Where can I watch it?
- Which nations are playing?
- Who are the must-watch players?
Let's begin.
Two years ago, Llew and Stevie covered the entire tournament in Argentina in the most comprehensive fashion. At the end of it all, they selected the following Team of the Tournament, with Cesare Casadei securing the SCOUTED Golden Ball - the Italian also finished as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals.
As a result of the sheer depth of their coverage, they had enough in the tank to select an Alternative Team of the Tournament as well, Adama Bojang picked up our Revelation of the Tournament award.
Llew Davies
The 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup champions Uruguay did not reach this year’s tournament - the eighth consecutive title holders to fail to qualify for their own tournament defence - so let’s take a look at who could ascend to the empty throne.
How to watch the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025
From Saturday 27 September to Sunday 19 October 2025, 24 teams will compete in Chile to dethrone Uruguay as U-20 champions of the world. You can watch every single game on FIFA+ and it’s free to sign up. Here’s the match schedule.
That’s not an ad, that’s where we will be watching. That’s how you’ll spot the next generation. But to give you a head start, here are X players we think you are going to hear a lot more about.
Players to watch at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The U-20 World Cup will represent the first time I have been able to watch the majority of these players. I know that doesn't apply to Llew, that's why I've leaned on some of his database entries to inform the picks.
So, consider this a SCOUTED-approved list of players to keep an eye on for brief reasons I'll touch on. Remember, we are learning more each one at the same time as you.
🇨🇴 Néiser Villarreal
2005, ST, Millonarios FC
This kid scored scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists in 9 games for Colombia at the U-20 South American Championship earlier this year. That is reason enough to highlight him.
Another reason is because of how he scored those goals. It felt like all eight strikes were rocket-powered efforts following jet-heeled bursts into the penalty area. Pure box-office.
The final reason to keep an eye on Néiser Villrreal is because friend of SCOUTED Nicolas Achabal highlighted him as a standout player from that tournament alongside 25 other players. It would be well worth your time reading through Nicolas' work after this newsletter.
Nicolas Achabal
The Colombian has agreed to join Cruzeiro at the end of this year once his Millonarios contract expires. Get a watch in now before a potential explosion in Brazil.
🇿🇦 Tylon Smith
2005, CB, Queens Park Rangers FC
Sébastien Chapuis wrote in-depth about Smith and his "gait so peculiar that he would have stood out regardless" following his Player of the Tournament Award at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
South Africa won the tournament for the first time in their history and Smith became the first centre-back this century to win the Man of the Competition award. The fact that QPR signed him from his boyhood club Stellenbosch FC this summer only makes him an even more intriguing prospect and one that I'm excited to watch more of.
Until the U-20 World Cup kicks off, I will defer to Seb's work for the complete breakdown of what makes Smith such an exciting prospect.
Sébastien
🇲🇽 Gilberto Mora
2008, AM, Club Tijuana
This 16-year-old from Tuxtla Gutiérrez is starting week-in, week-out for Club Tijuana and has already won senior international tournament this year.
Gilberto Mora has scored six goals and provided an assist in 1,586 minutes across Liga MX and Leagues Cup appearances all while starting the quarter-final, semi-final and the final for El Tri as they won their 10th Gold Cup title.
Mora has already featured in an edition of the Monday Night SCOUTED newsletter this season having displayed a sense of anticipation and awareness well beyond his 16 years on the way to scoring a brace against Guadalajara. He should be on another level to most players in Chile.
Tune in to watch Mexico and you'll also get to watch Elias Montiel, a player that would be fully deserving of his own entry.
🇯🇵 Keita Kosugi
2006, LB, Djurgårdens IF
This is one of my Llew-influenced picks. In fact, two other players in the Japan squad have been added to the SCOUTED database by our Scouting Editor.
Spoiler alert: you'll hear more about Rion Ichihara soon while Yuto Ozeki was the featured player in an early March edition of The Shortlist.
Back to Kosugi, then. He first came onto the SCOUTED radar at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he captained Japan. After that tournament, he made the unusual move to leave Shonan Bellmare for Europe at 18 years old, joining Stockholm giants Djurgården IF. He's made a big impression in Sweden, becoming a lock-on starter this year thanks to his consistently enterprising, aggressive and direct displays.
Try to watch as many Japan games as you can.
🇦🇺 Musa Touré
2005, ST, Randers FC
There is a mixture of narrative juice and SCOUTED database insight for this pick.
First of all, Musa Touré is the younger brother of Mohamed Touré, a player that we have loosely covered before. Both joined Randers at the start of the 2024/25 season. We could see both in the Socceroos' squad for the 2026 World Cup. That would be nice.
As for Musa's style of play, these match notes from the U-20 AFC Asian Cup earlier this year are very promising.
Right footed. Good all-round athlete, moves really well with dynamism + robustness + smoothness.. Speed and power a threat in transition and isolation. Gives a counter-attack outlet as a runner + carrier. Good stretching runs off CBs. Good first-time finish for 1-0 goal — hanging back for pull back to penalty spot, clean strike, low and hard. Pinched ball back high for 2-0 goal, made simple decision after. Been a constant pest on JPN last line. Physicality to bully players. Subbed off 80’ after gassing.
Eye-catching performance as attacking outlet for team. Qualities on break and in isolation but also competent in more associative situations and in/around box. Point of difference.
🇫🇷 Djylian N'Guessan
2008, ST, AS Saint-Étienne
After highlight Djyllian N’Guessan as one to watch ahead of the U-17 EURO this summer, he ended the tournament with four goals and an impressive showing as France’s line-leading centre-forward. Tall and slender, almost Ekitiké-like in that regard, the 16-year-old was efficient in his actions and smart in his movements. He dropped off to link play, rolled into channels, and darted into gaps in the box to attack crosses. It wasn't hard to see why he's already played first-team football for Saint-Étienne.
According to Transfermarkt, N'Guessan has scored 12 goals in 14 games for the U-16s and 11 goals in 11 U-17 caps. The World Cup will be his first taste of U-20 football but he is clearly too good for his current age group.
🇪🇸 Pablo García
2006, RW, Real Betis Balompié
In case you missed it this summer, Pablo García scored four goals against Germany in the UEFA U-19 EURO semi-final and one of them was direct from a corner. He took 15 shots that game alone and his Poker earned him a share of the Golden Boot.
However, it was the relentlessness that underpinned his high-energy, all-action maverick displays that secured him a spot in our Team of the Tournament.
Llew Davies
Jon Martín also featured in that SCOUTED XI and he's also in Spain's squad for the U-20 World Cup. If you see a centre-back flying through the air and over the shoulders of an opposition player, it's probably him.
🇦🇷 Gianluca Prestianni
2006, RW, SL Benfica
Once again, I am going to let previous work do all of the... work for this pick.
Stevie wrote a definitive profile about Gianluca Prestianni following his inclusion in the 2023/24 edition of SCOUTED50. With the help of SkillCorner Data, the profile is pretty critical overall but there are crumbs of promise sprinkled throughout, including the following:
Overall, the sharpness of his changes in direction is ridiculous. He can go either side, use the in-step or outside of his boot, but then double back quickly and go the other way just as fast. It’s quite spectacular in full flow.
Stephen Ganavas
Still only 19 years old, this tournament will be a good opportunity to see if Prestiani has made progress or whether his potential has been capped. It will be his first time representing Argentina at Under-20 level.
We should also get to see some of Milton Delgado, Boca Juniors scrappy Platformer midfielder I included in my end-of-season SCOUTED Squad.
🇺🇸 Luca Bombino
2006, LB, San Diego FC
When putting together a SCOUTED Squad of the most fascinating Under-21 players in world football at the end of least season, Luca Bombino profiled as one of the best Imposter Full-backs behind Myles Lewis-Skelly and Rico Lewis.
We have since learned that the Imposter tag should not be considered an Archetype itself, it's simply a term we can use to identify full-backs that operate with the responsibilities of a profile more commonly associated with midfielders.
Anyway, Bombino has played 2,032 MLS minutes for San Diego FC and still ranks as one of the most ball-dominant full-backs in the league. Let's see if he adopts this Platformer profile for the USYNT in Chile.
Teammate Zavier Gozo also popped up in some recent SCOUTED Stat searches so keep an eye on the Real Salt Lake winger, too.
🇧🇷 Igor Serrote
2005, RB, Al Jazira
It would have been ridiculous to not include at least one Brazilian, right?
Unfortunately, we won't be seeing Rayan's hammer of a left foot pot-shotting from 30 yards at this tournament. So, instead, I have picked out one of the most aggressive players I have ever seen at youth internationals.
Igor Serrote stood at the CONMEBOL Sub 20 earlier this year for putting his body on the line in an attempt to put his opponent's face down on the floor. The Grêmio academy graduate, now playing his football in Qatar, has been named captain for the U-20 World Cup and you can absolutely guarantee he will lead by example.
If you love reducing tackles, full-throttle overlaps and general shithousery then you will love watching Igor.
2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup squads
24 nations had to register 21 players born between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2009 for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of each group. Open each nation’s tab to see the full squad and a little bit about their tournament history.
Group A
🇨🇱 Chile
Chile will become one of three countries to host the tournament multiple times after Australia and Argentina. They are making their first appearance since 2013 and their previous best is a third-place finish in 2007; Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel all featured.
GK: Sebastián Mella (Universidad de Chile), Ignacio Sáez (Huachipato FC), Gabriel Maureira (CSD Colo-Colo)
DEF: Ian Garguez (CD Palestino), Milovan Celis (Unión Española), Patricio Romero (CD Cobreloa), Nicolás Suárez (CSD Colo-Colo), Matías Pérez (US Lecce), Felipe Faúndez (CD O'Higgins)
MID: Javier Cárcamo (Huachipato FC), Flavio Moya (Universidad de Chile), Agustín Arce (Deportes Limache), Lautaro Millán (CA Independiente), Joaquín Silva (Santiago Wanderers), Mario Sandoval Molina (Audax Italiano)
FWD: Francisco Marchant (CSD Colo-Colo), Juan Francisco Rossel (CD Universidad Católica), Vicente Álvarez (Unión San Felipe), Emiliano Ramos (CD Everton), Rodrigo Godoy (CD O'Higgins), Willy Chatiliez (SD Huesca)
🇪🇬 Egypt
Like hosts Chile, Egypt are making their first tournament appearance since 2013 with and also have a previous best of third place, beating Paraguay in the play-off match back in 2001.
The Young Pharaohs finished fourth at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations held from April to May earlier this year.
GK: Abdelmonem Tamer (ZED FC), Ahmed Waheb (Al Masry SC), Ahmed Menshawi (Al Ittihad Alexandria Club)
DEF: Moamen Sherif (Al Ittihad Alexandria Club), Ahmed Abdin (Ceramica Cleopatra FC), Abdallah Bostangy (ZED FC), Moataz Mohamed (Haras El Hodoud SC), Mohab Samy (ENPPI SC), Ahmed Nayel (Haras El Hodoud SC),
MID: Mohamed El Sayed (Zamalek SC), Selim Telib (Hertha BSC II), Tebo Gabriel (1. FSV Mainz 05 II), Kabaka (ZED FC), Seif Safaga (ENPPI SC), Ahmed Wahid (Ghazl El Mahalla SC)
FWD: Omar Khedr (Aston Villa F.C.)
🇯🇵 Japan
Japan have qualified for a fourth successive tournament but have not made it past the Round of 16 in any of the previous three. Their personal best run was recorded in 1999, finishing runners-up to Spain.
As mentioned in the Players to Watch section, three their squad were already loaded onto the SCOUTED database before the tournament: Rion Ichihara (市原吏音), Keita Kosugi (小杉啓太) and Yuto Ozeki (大関友翔). Japan finished in the top four at the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup held earlier this year, losing to eventual winners Australia in the semi-final.
GK: Keisuke Nakamura (Tokyo Verdy), Alexandre Pisano (Nagoya Grampus), Rui Araki (Gamba Osaka)
DEF: Harumichi Shiokawa (Ryutsu Keizai University), Rion Ichihara (RB Omiya Ardija), Rei Umeki (FC Imabari), Kazunari Kita (Real Sociedad), Keita Kosugi (Djurgårdens IF), Soichiro Mori (Nagoya Grampus)
MID: Yuto Ozeki (Kawasaki Frontale), Sora Hiraga (Kyoto Sanga), Kosei Ogura (Hosei University), Shunsuke Saito (Mito HollyHock), Nelson Ishiwatari (Iwaki FC), Hagumu Nakagawa (Ryutsu Keizai University), Hisatsugu Ishii (Shonan Bellmare), Yumeki Yokoyama (FC Imabari), Ryūnosuke Satō (Fagiano Okayama), Katsuma Fuse (University of Tsukuba)
FWD: Soma Kanda (Kawasaki Frontale), Rento Takaoka (Valenciennes)
🇳🇿 New Zealand
New Zealand qualified for this tournament by virtue of their OFC U-19 Men's Championship triumph in 2024, beating New Caledonia 4-0 in the final. The Youth All Whites have qualified for seven consecutive U-20 World Cups but have never made it past the Round of 16 having reached that stage on four occasions.
GK: Josey Casa-Grande (Dorchester Town), Joe Wallis (West Bromwich Albion), Henry Gray (Ipswich Town)
DEF: Noah DuPont (West Bromwich Albion), Jayden Smith (Wellington Phoenix), James Bulkeley (North Texas SC), Lukas Kelly-Heald (Wellington Phoenix), Codey Phoenix (Auckland FC)
MID: Luke Brooke-Smith (Wellington Phoenix), Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues (Wellington Phoenix), Nathan Walker (Wellington Phoenix), Oliver Middleton (Auckland FC), Finn McKenlay (Auckland FC), Ryan Watson (Wellington Phoenix), Adama Coulibaly (Auckland FC), Fergus Gillion (Wellington Phoenix)
FWD: Stipe Ukich (Istra 1961), Troy Putt (Minnesota United FC), Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix), Keegan Kelly (University of Denver), Xuan Loke (Wellington Phoenix)
Group B
🇵🇦 Panama
Panama qualified for their first tournament since 2019 by reaching the final four of the 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Six years ago, they reached the Round of 16 for the first time in the nation's history.
GK: Ian Flores (San Francisco), Cecilio Burgess (UMECIT), Sean Deane (Plaza Amador)
DEF: Javier Arboleda (Independiente), Julio Rodríguez (Plaza Amador), Erick Díaz (Los Angeles FC), Ariel Arroyo (Árabe Unido), Martín Krug (Levante), Juan Hall (Herrera), Antony Herbert (Conquense)
MID: Luis Villarreal (Veraguas), Kairo Walters (Los Angeles FC), Anel Ryce (Chornomorets Odesa), Giovany Herbert (Athletico Paranaense), Ryan Gómez (Grêmio), Joseph Jones (Plaza Amador), Ernesto Gómez (Universitario), Rafael Mosquera (New York Red Bulls)
FWD: Gustavo Herrera (Saprissa), Kevin Walder (Plaza Amador), Karlo Kuranyi (SGV Freiberg)
🇵🇾 Paraguay
The first thing to point out is that Paraguay's manager is Antolín Alcaraz, an FA Cup winner with Wigan Athletic in 2013 - I hope the name rings a bell. It was also that same year that La Albirrojita last qualified for the U-20 World Cup. They did so by finishing in the top four of the 2025 South American U-20 Championship. Their best finish is fourth place in 2001.
GK: Facundo Insfrán (Olimpia Asunción), Victor Rojas (Club Libertad Asunción), Francisco Mongelos (Sportivo Luqueño)
DEF: Líder Cáceres (Atlético Tembetary), Axel Balbuena (CA Lanús), Alexandro Maidana (Club Guaraní), Lucas Quintana (Club Cerro Porteño), Tobías Morinigo (Olimpia Asunción), Gadiel Paoli (CA Boca Juniors), Maximiliano Duarte (Club Atlético Independiente)
MID: Fabrizio Baruja (Olimpia Asunción), Osmar Giménez (Club General Caballero), Giovanni Gómez (Club Guaraní), Octavio Alfonso (Club Guaraní), Lucas Guiñazú (Atlético Tembetary)
FWD: Gabriel Aguayo (Club Cerro Porteño), Tiago Caballero (Olimpia Asunción), Enso González (Wolverhampton Wanderers), César Miño (Club Guaraní), Rodrigo Villalba (Club Libertad Asunción), David Fernández (Club Sol de América)
🇰🇷 South Korea
South Korea qualified for the tournament by reaching the semi-final of the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup, which they ultimately lost to Saudi Arabia on penalties.
The Taegeuk Warriors have featured in the previous three U-20 World Cup tournaments, including a personal best run to the final in 2019. Lee Kang-in was awarded the Golden Ball, scoring a penalty in the 3-1 defeat to Ukraine whom they face in this year's group.
GK: Gong Si-hyeon (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Park Sang-young (Daegu FC), Hong Seong-min (Pohang Steelers)
DEF: Ko Jong-hyun (Suwon Samsung Bluewings), Lee Geon-hee (Suwon Samsung Bluewings), Kim Ho-jin (Yong In University), Bae Hyun-seo (FC Seoul), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon FC), Lim Jun-young (Chungbuk Cheongju), Ham Sun-woo (Hwaseong FC)
MID: Kim Tae-won (Portimonense), Kim Jun-ha (Jeju SK), Choi Byung-wook (Jeju SK), Kim Hyun-min (Busan IPark), Baek Min-gyu (Incheon United), Choi Seung-gu (Incheon United), Sung Shin (Bucheon FC 1995), Son Seung-min (Daegu FC), Chung Ma-ho (Chungnam Asan)
FWD: Kim Hyeon-oh (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Baek Ga-on (Busan IPark)
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Even though it was eventually cancelled, Ukraine failed to qualify for the 2021 U-20 World Cup after lifting the trophy in 2019. They did not feature in 2023 either, making this year's tournament their first appearance since that historic triumph. They return thanks to reaching the semi-final of the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
GK: Svyatoslav Vanivskyi (Stal Rzeszów), Vladyslav Krapyvtsov (Girona), Markiyan Bakus (LNZ Cherkasy)
DEF: Kyrylo Dihtyar (Metalist Kharkiv), Mykola Kyrychok (Karpaty Lviv), Vladyslav Kysil (Ponferradina), Maksym Melnychenko (Polissya Zhytomyr), Daniel Vernattus (Metalist Kharkiv), Maksym Derkach (Tukums 2000), Oleksiy Husiev (Kudrivka)
MID: Vitaliy Katrych (Inhulets Petrovo), Artur Shakh (Karpaty Lviv), Daniil Vashchenko (Oleksandriya), Hennadiy Synchuk (CF Montréal), Danylo Krevsun (Borussia Dortmund), Kristian Shevchenko (Watford), Yaroslav Karaman (Polissya Zhytomyr), Bohdan Budko (AZ Alkmaar), Matviy Panchenko (Metalist 1925 Kharkiv)
FWD: Matviy Ponomarenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Oleksandr Pyshchur (Győri ETO)
Group C
🇧🇷 Brazil
Five-time winners and the first nation to qualify for 20 U-2o World Cup tournaments, Brazil qualified for this year's edition having won their 13th South American U-20 Championship at the start of the year.
GK: Pedro Cobra (Atlético Mineiro), Otávio (Cruzeiro), Lucas Furtado (Vitória de Guimarães)
DEF: Igor Serrote (Al Jazira), Iago Teodoro (Flamengo), Bruno Alves (Cruzeiro), Leandrinho (Vasco da Gama), Gilberto (Palmeiras), João Victor (Flamengo), Léo Derik (Athletico Paranaense)
MID: Rayan Lucas (Sporting CP), João Cruz (Athletico Paranaense), Rafael Coutinho (Palmeiras), Rhuan Gabriel (Cruzeiro), Murilo Rhikman (Cruzeiro)
FWD: Gustavo Prado (Internacional), Deivid Washington (Chelsea), Pedrinho (Zenit), Wesley (Al Nassr), Luighi (Palmeiras), Erick Belé (Palmeiras)
🇲🇽 Mexico
El Tri return to the U-20 World Cup for the first time since 2019. Having finished runners-up in their first-ever appearance in 1977, the 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship will be looking to go all the way and lift their first U-20 World Cup trophy.
GK: Emmanuel Ochoa (Cruz Azul), Pablo Lara (UNAM), Juan Sebastián Liceaga (Guadalajara)
DEF: Everardo del Villar (Toluca), José Pachuca (Puebla), Diego Ochoa (Juárez), César Bustos (Monterrey), Jaziel Mendoza (Cruz Azul)
MID: Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), César Garza (Dundee), Alexéi Domínguez (Pachuca), Elías Montiel (Pachuca), Amaury Morales (Cruz Azul), Diego Sánchez (UANL), Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC)
FWD: Oswaldo Virgen (Toluca), Yael Padilla (Guadalajara), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Mateo Levy (Cruz Azul), Hugo Camberos (Guadalajara), Tahiel Jiménez (Santos Laguna)
🇲🇦 Morocco
Runners-up to South Africa at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, the Atlas Lions are making just their fourth appearance, ending a 20-year wait to qualify - only Cuba and debutants New Caledonia have less tournament experience. Morocco finished fourth in 2005, their best-ever run.
GK: Yanis Benchaouch (AS Monaco), Ibrahim Gomis (Olympique Marseille), Hakim Mesbahi (AS FAR Rabat)
DEF: Hamza Koutoune (FC Annecy), Ali Maamar (RSC Anderlecht), Ismaël Baouf (SC Cambuur), Fouad Zahouani (Union Touarga Sportif), Smail Bakhty (SK Sturm Graz), Mohammed Zindin Kebdani (AS FAR Rabat)
MID: Anas Tajaouart (RSC Anderlecht), Naïm Byar (Calcio Foggia 1920), Hossam Essadak (Union Touarga Sportif), Saad El Haddad (Venezia FC), Yassine Khalifi (Royal Charleroi SC)
FWD: Othmane Maamma (Watford FC), Younes El Bahraoui (KACM Marrakech), Ilias Boumassaoudi (FC Den Bosch), Taha Majni (Union Touarga Sportif), Mohammed Hamony (Girona FC), Gessime Yassine (USL Dunkerque), Yassir Zabiri (FC Famalicão)
🇪🇸 Spain
Incredibly, this is Spain's first U-20 World Cup appearance since 2013. The 1999 champions return to the world stage having beaten France 2-0 in the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship final.
GK: Fran González (Real Madrid), Raúl Jiménez (Valencia), Vicent Abril (Valencia)
DEF: Pau Navarro (Villarreal), Julio Díaz (Atlético Madrid), Jon Martín (Real Sociedad), Andrés Cuenca (FC Barcelona), Jesús Fortea (Real Madrid), Diego Aguado (Real Madrid)
MID: Izan Merino (Málaga), Rayane Belaid (Atlético Madrid), Rodri Mendoza (Elche), Thiago Pitarch (Real Madrid), Cristian David (Real Madrid), Peio Canales (Racing Santander)
FWD: Adrián Liso (Getafe), Iker Bravo (Udinese), David Mella (Deportivo La Coruña), Joel Roca (Girona), Pablo García (Real Betis), Jan Virgili (Mallorca)
Group D
🇦🇷 Argentina
Argentina are the most successful nation at this level, winning the tournament six times. Although, their last triumph came in 2007 when a certain Sergio Agüero scooped up both the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe awards.
This year's cohort does not include Claudio Echeverri, who scored 6 goals as they finished runners-up to Brazil at the 2025 South American U-20 Championship, despite beating the eventual champions 6-0 in the first stage.
GK: Santino Barbi (Talleres), Álvaro Busso (Vélez Sarsfield), Alain Gómez (Valencia)
DEF: Tobías Ramírez (Argentinos Juniors), Julio Soler (AFC Bournemouth), Dylan Gorosito (Boca Juniors), Juan Villalba (Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)), Valente Pierani (Estudiantes (LP)), Santiago Fernández (Talleres), Teo Rodríguez Pagano (San Lorenzo)
MID: Milton Delgado (Boca Juniors), Valentino Acuña (Newell's Old Boys), Álvaro Montoro (Botafogo), Ian Subiabre (River Plate), Tomás Pérez (Porto), Mateo Silvetti (Inter Miami), Tobías Andrada (Vélez Sarsfield), Santino Andino (Godoy Cruz), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica)
FWD: Maher Carrizo (Vélez Sarsfield), Alejo Sarco (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia make their first U-20 World Cup appearance since 2013 with two fourth-place finishes in 1991 and 1993 representing their best run. The reigning AFC U-20 Asian Cup champions beat Saudi Arabia on penalties in the final in March this year. Alexander Badolato was named Player of the Tournament in China and makes the squad flying out to Chile.
GK: Steven Hall (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alexander Robinson (Macarthur FC), Daniel Graskoski (Melbourne Victory)
DEF: Sebastian Esposito (Melbourne Victory), Panagiotis Kikianis (Adelaide United), Fabian Talladira (Adelaide United), Lucas Herrington (Brisbane Roar), Joshua Inserra (Melbourne Victory), Liam Bonetig (Melbourne City), James Overy (Manchester United)
MID: Daniel Bennie (Queens Park Rangers), Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC), Jonny Yull (Adelaide United), Alexander Badolato (Newcastle Jets), Rhys Youlley (Sydney FC), Jaylan Pearman (Queens Park Rangers), Louis Agosti (Dolomiti Bellunesi)
FWD: Luka Jovanovic (Adelaide United), Musa Toure (Randers), Tiago Quintal (Sydney FC), Max Caputo (Melbourne City)
🇨🇺 Cuba
Cuba first and only previous U-20 World Cup appearance was in 2013. They lost all three games, scoring just one goal and conceding 10. However, they qualified for this year's tournament by making the final four of the 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship; Yurdy Hodelin was named as the tournament's Best Goalkeeper.
GK: Yorlan Urgelles (FC Guantánamo), Yurdi Hodelín (FC Moravia FCM), Yurixander Zayas (Ciego de Ávila FC)
DEF: Elvis Casanova (FC Moravia FCM), Ricardo Polo (FC Santa Rosa), Camilo Pinillo (K Lierse SK), Karel Pérez (SC Vianense), Diego Catasus (Latina Calcio 1932), Leandro Mena (Escorpiones de Belén), Norlys Chávez (AD Rosario)
MID: Romario Torres (ADR Jicaral), Didier Reinoso (FC La Habana), Maikol Vega (Inter de San Carlos), Marcos Campos (FC Moravia FCM), Aniel Casanova (FC Villa Clara), Samuel Rodríguez (Sancti Spiritus)
FWD: Jade Quiñónes (FC La Habana), Alessio Raballo (Cremonese), Michael Camejo (Santa Cruz PFA), Yordan Castañer (FC La Habana), Enmanuel Torres (CD Santiago de Cuba)
🇮🇹 Italy
Italy finished runners-up for the first time two years ago, losing 1-0 to Uruguay in the final. Cesare Casadei won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot award while Sebastiano Desplanches picked up the Golden Glove.
This year's squad qualified as one of the top four from the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, losing 1-0 to Spain in the semi-final.
GK: Alessandro Nunziante (Udinese), Jacopo Seghetti (Livorno), Lapo Siviero (Torino)
DEF: Javison Idele (Atalanta), Cristian Cama (Roma), Christian Corradi (Trento), Andrea Natali (AZ Alkmaar), Wisdom Amey (Pianese), Emanuel Benjamín (Real Madrid), Francesco Verde (Juventus)
MID: Jacopo Sardo (Monza), Mattia Mannini (Juve Stabia), Emanuele Sala (AC Milan), Alessandro Berretta (Giana Erminio), Lorenzo Riccio (Atalanta)
FWD: Ismaël Konaté (Empoli), Marco Romano (Genoa), Mattia Mosconi (Inter Milan), Jamal Iddrissou (Inter Milan), Alvin Okoro (Juventus), Mattia Liberali (Catanzaro)
Group E
🇫🇷 France
France's only U-20 World Cup triumph came in 2013, the year Paul Pogba picked up the Golden Ball. They have not made the final before or since then and even failed to make it out of the Group Stage two years ago.
Les Bleuets qualified for this year's tournament having reached the final of the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, losing 2-0 to Spain.
GK: Lisandru Olmeta (Bastia), Justin Bengui (RWDM Brussels), Tao Paradowski (Pau)
DEF: Noham Kamara (Paris Saint-Germain), Bradel Kiwa (Monaco), Elyaz Zidane (Real Betis), Gady Beyuku (Modena), Justin Bourgault (Brest), Anthony Bermont (Lens), Steven Baseya (Alverca)
MID: Ilan Touré (Monaco), Andréa Le Borgne (Como), Fodé Sylla (Lens), Rabby Nzingoula (Strasbourg), Mayssam Benama (Annecy)
FWD: Djylian N'Guessan (Saint-Étienne), Moustapha Dabo (Nantes), Quentin Ndjantou (Paris Saint-Germain), Tadjidine Mmadi (Marseille), Gabin Bernardeau (Nice), Lucas Michal (Monaco)
🇳🇨 New Caledonia
New Caledonia are the only debutants at this year's tournament, qualifying by virtue of reaching the 2024 OFC U-19 Men's Championship final. They lost that match 4-0 to New Zealand.
GK: Noah Bouchet-Muller (Cavigal Nice), Emmanuel Wahnapo (Wetr), G. Wathiepel (Ne Drehu)
DEF: Tamumue Ajapuhnya (Lössi), Wadria Hanye (Tiga Sport), Lomani Nahiet (Hienghène Sport), Kandjo Teanyouen (Bélep), Yann Wahaga (Hienghène Sport), Timotei Zeter (Hienghène Sport)
MID: Joseph Hnaissilin (Lössi), Antony Levy (Bélep), Patrick Ouka (Tiga Sport), Damien Ujicas (Magenta), Jytrhim Upa (Tiga Sport), E. Vakie (Kunié), Yazid Wajoka (Magenta), Kapone Xulue (Mont-Dore)
FWD: Nolhann Alebate (Bastia), Louis Brunet (Free agent), Antoine Simane (Magenta), K. Wawalahae (Gaïca)
🇿🇦 South Africa
2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations champions South Africa return to the U-20 World Cup stage for the first time since 2019. Both the Golden Ball (Tylon Smith) and Golden Glove (Fletcher Smythe-Lowe) winners from the U-20 AFCON triumph feature in the World Cup squad. Amajita have never progressed beyond the Round of 16.
GK: Fletcher Smythe-Lowe (Estoril), Kgoleng Ratisani (Sekhukhune United), Takalani Mazhamba (Kaizer Chiefs)
DEF: Sfiso Timba (Kaizer Chiefs), Neo Rapoo (Siwelele), Asekho Tiwani (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siviwe Nkwali (Stellenbosch), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers), Thato Sibiya (Mamelodi Sundowns)
MID: Patrick Autata (Durban City), Gomolemo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mfundo Vilakazi (Kaizer Chiefs), Lazola Maku (Siwelele)
FWD: Shakeel April (Cape Town City), Jody Ah Shene (Cape Town City), Kutlwano Letlhaku (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Mahlangu (Siwelele), Luke Baartman (Kaizer Chiefs), Langelihle Phili (Stellenbosch), Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siviwe Magidigidi (Siwelele)
🇺🇸 USA
The United States will feature at the U-20 World Cup for a sixth successive tournament but have not yet beat the fourth-place finish from their 1989 run. They qualified having reached the final of the 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, losing 2-1 to Mexico after extra time. However, Player of the Tournament Niko Tsakiris also features in this squad.
GK: Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona), Adam Beaudry (Colorado Rapids), Duran Ferree (San Diego FC),
DEF: Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders FC), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas), Joshua Wynder (Benfica), Noah Cobb (Colorado Rapids), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution), Ethan Kohler (SC Verl), Francis Westfield (Philadelphia Union), Luca Bombino (San Diego FC),
MID: Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo FC), Benjamin Cremaschi (Parma), Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes), Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew), Pedro Soma (San Diego FC), Matthew Corcoran (Nashville SC),
FWD: Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund), Marcos Zambrano (Real Salt Lake), Luke Brennan (Atlanta United FC), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake),
Group F
🇨🇴 Colombia
Colombia finished third in 2003 with a squad that included cult hero Fredy Guarín, beating Argentina in the third place play-off. They have not reached the semi-final before or since then.
They come into this year's tournament off the back of a third-place finish at the 2025 South American U-20 Championship, with tournament top-scorer Néiser Villarreal in the squad.
GK: Jordan García (Fortaleza), Alexéi Rojas (Arsenal), Luis Eduardo Mena (Atlético Huila)
DEF: Simón García (Atlético Nacional), Carlos Sarabia (Millonarios), Julián Bazán (Deportivo Pereira), Weimar Vivas (RB Bragantino), Yeimar Mosquera (Aston Villa), Juan Arizala (Independiente Medellín)
MID: Elkin Rivero (Atlético Nacional), Luis Miguel Landázuri (Atlético Nacional), Royner Benítez (Águilas Doradas), Jordan Barrera (Botafogo), Joel Romero (América de Cali), José Cavadia (América de Cali), Kener González (América de Cali)
FWD: Emilio Aristizábal (Fortaleza), Óscar Perea (AVS), Jhon Rentería (Sarmiento), Joel Canchimbo (Junior), Néiser Villarreal (Millonarios)
🇳🇬 Nigeria
The Flying Eagles have finished runners-up twice, in 1989 and 2005, and are making their third consecutive U-20 World Cup appearance. They knocked out record-winners Argentina in the Round of 16 two years ago before losing to South Korea in the quarter-final. The finished third at this year's U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Egypt on penalties in the play-off match.
GK: Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos), Abubakar Rufai (Mavlon FC), Ezekiel Andy (Bayelsa United)
DEF: Amos Ochoche (Stade Reims), Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos), Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars FC), Daniel Bameyi (ND Primorje), Azuka Alatan (36 Lion FC), Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists)
MID: Daniel Daga (Molde FK), Abduljelil Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy), Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra 1961), Orseer Achihi (Royal Antwerp FC), Emmanuel Ekele (Montana), Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United), Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC), Charles Adah Agada (NK Istra 1961)
FWD: Suleiman Sani (AS Trencin), Kparobo Arierhi (Mjøndalen IF), Salihu Nasiru (FK Gabala), Abdullahi Ele (Wireless FC)
🇳🇴 Norway
Norway are making their fourth U-20 World Cup appearance having never made it beyond the Group Stage in their previous three tournaments. The most recent of which was in 2019, when Erling Haaland won the Golden Boot having scored 9 (NINE!) in a 12-0 win against Honduras. There is another Haaland in this year's squad, although there's no relation to Erling.
GK: Sander Østraat (Hamarkameratene), Magnus Brøndbo (FK Bodø/Glimt), Einar Bøe Fauskanger (FK Haugesund)
DEF: Luca Høyland (Viking FK), Vetle Auklend (Skeid Oslo), Rasmus Holten (Sogndal IL), Håkon Røsten (Ranheim IL), Mathias Øren (Åsane Fotball), Jonathan Norbye (Arminia Bielefeld), Tobias Moi (Åsane Fotball), Magnus Holte (IL Hødd)
MID: Kasper Sætherbø (Mjøndalen IF), Gustav Nyheim (Molde FK), Sondre Granaas (Molde FK), Ola Visted (IL Hødd), Lars Remmem (SK Brann)
FWD: Markus Haaland (SK Brann), Julian Lægreid (SK Brann), Bork Bang-Kittilsen (Mjällby AIF), Martin Håheim-Elveseter (Egersunds IK), Niklas Fuglestad (Moss FK)
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia are making their first tournament appearance since 2019 after reaching the final of the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup. The Green Falcons have never finished in the top eight, reaching the Round of 16 in 2011 and 2017.
GK: Hamed Al-Shanqity (Al-Ittihad Club), Mahmoud Al-Burayh (Al-Taawoun FC), Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi (Al-Fateh SC)
DEF: Saud Al-Tumbukti (Al-Riyadh SC), Abdullah Al-Sahli (Al-Batin FC), Saud Haroun (Al-Hilal SFC), Mohammed Barnawi (Al-Ittihad Club), Saleh Barnawi (Al-Hilal SFC), Nawaf Al-Gulaymish (Al-Shabab FC), Awad Aman (Al-Nassr FC)
MID: Rakan Al-Ghamdi (Al-Nassr FC), Bassam Hazzazi (Al-Nassr FC), Farhah Al-Shamrani (Al-Riyadh SC), Eyad Housa (Al-Ahli SFC), Abdulmalik Al-Harbi (Al-Kholood Club)
FWD: Amar Al-Yuhaybi (Al-Ahli SFC), Talal Haji (Al-Riyadh SC), Ziyad Al-Ghamdi (Al-Ettifaq FC), Saad Haqawi (Al-Nassr FC), Ramez Al-Attar (Al-Ahli SFC), Thamer Al-Khaibri (NEOM SC)
There you have it, a complete guide to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. It's time to watch the future of football, now.
