Last year we looked at 21 of the best women's players in the world age 21 or under, and Vicky López came out on top. But this time a host of players from that list don't meet the age requirement anymore, such as Melchie Dumornay, Tarciane, Ally Sentnor and Salma Paralluelo.
Many of this year's group have made their marks for their respective sides last season, helping them win silverware as Arsenal beat Barcelona to win the UEFA Women's Champions League, England retained their European Championship crown, Brazil won another Copa America Femenina, and some made some big moves as there was a record breaking transfer window over the summer.
But which players have done enough to land a place on ESPN's list for 2026, and what makes them special?
With multiple teams and leagues around the world, you have to cast a wide net to find the best, so Yash Thakur examined and ranked the game's youngest players with input from ESPN's reporters in the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Africa, Asia and Australia.
What were the criteria?
While talent and potential played a big role in their rankings they weren't the only factors considered. From an initial long list of 50 players, those who remain are the ones who best satisfied the main criteria: appearances at the highest level, consistent performance over a sustained period, and the potential to develop into a top-level footballer.
A sounding board composed of players, managers, journalists and fans was used before deciding on the final rankings. Personal preference also played a role.
Why did some players miss out?
Since the list was restricted to the top 21 players, some big stars naturally missed out. While their talent and potential is undeniable, injuries, lack of minutes, and inconsistencies in performances stopped them from making the final cut.
For example, England's unlikely star at Euro 2025, Michelle Agyemang, had the world at her feet this summer, but unfortunately succumbed to an ACL injury early in the season; Japan international Maika Hamano had a brilliant start to the year but fell out of favor at Chelsea and eventually moved to Spurs on loan; while Bayern Munich's Alara Sehitler and Arsenal's Smilla Holmberg are yet to fully establish themselves as starters at their respective clubs.
Notes:
- Players included must be aged 21 or under on April 1, 2026.
- Positions are: GK (goalkeeper), LB/LWB (left back / left wing back), RB/RWB (right back / right wing back), CB (center back), DM (defensive midfield), CM (central midfield), AM (attacking midfield), FW (forward), ST (striker).
- Stats correct as of March 31.
The List
21. Claudia Martínez, FW
Club: Washington Spirit
Country: Paraguay
Age: 18
Martinez featured for the under-17, U20 and the senior Paraguay side in a single year in 2025, and helped the senior team finish fifth at the Copa America Femenina; there, she was involved in seven of their nine goals and finished as the competition's joint-top scorer.
An electric and powerful forward who can drive at defenses and beat them for pace, Martinez looks special. She possesses incredible ball-striking abilities and has an innate understanding of where to make her runs, which makes her a formidable threat at such a young age.
In January, she signed for NWSL side Washington Spirit from Club Olimpia for a fee of $950,000, which ranks among the top 10 transfers in the league to date. And as she continues to polish her skillset in the United States, she will remain Paraguay's beacon of hope for years to come.
One key stat: Martinez had the joint-most goals (six) and joint most goal contributions (seven) at the Copa America Femenina 2025.
20. Aïcha Cámara, CB/RB
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Age: 19
Camara joined Barcelona's academy at the age of 15 and made her debut for the senior side in February 2025. This season, she has regularly stepped up into the starting XI and her versatility has allowed her to fill in at right back or center back without a tangible drop in quality.
A two-time U19 European Championship winner with Spain, she reads play well and is robust in her one-on-one duels, skilled at denying her opponents time and space on the ball. The timing of her challenges, decision making, and runs at such a young age make her seem far more experienced than she is, and she can impact things at both ends of the pitch.
In a veteran Barcelona defense, Camara fills an important role and she will surely become indispensable for both club and country.
One key stat: Camara has six assists to her name in Liga F this season, the second most by a defender behind teammate Mapi León (seven).
19. Riley Jackson, DM/CM
Club: North Carolina Courage
Country: United States
Age: 20
Jackson first showcased her talent on the global stage at the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in 2022, captaining the U.S. to the quarterfinals, and while she missed her penalty in that game, her character and class made an impact. Since then, she has grown into a fine defensive midfielder and started 23 of North Carolina Courage's 26 games in the NWSL last season.
She exudes confidence on the ball, orchestrating play from the defensive third, and has impeccable range in her passing. Her accuracy and incisiveness, coupled with her defensive reading of the game, make her a key figure in both buildup and progression phases. Jackson's excellent defensive positioning also helps her recover possession and disrupt opposition attacks.
Jackson might not be the flashiest player on the pitch, but she is the catalyst making everything tick.
One key stat: In 2025, Jackson attempted the third-most passes (1,194) and passes ending in the final third (619) in the NWSL -- the third highest in both categories by any midfielder.
18. Gisele Thompson, RB
Club: Angel City FC
Country: United States
Age: 20
The younger sister of Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson, Gisele caught the eye in the U.S.'s third-place finish at the U20 FIFA Women's World Cup in 2024, while she made her debut for Angel City in the same year and went on to represent the senior USWNT side soon after.
She is lightning fast and can cover the space between the two boxes quickly; despite being a full back, she is an ultra-attacking player at her core who loves to run at defenders, twisting and turning her way into the opposition box. Her ability to produce an incisive final ball makes her a potential match-winner, and her decision making and defensive ability will only improve with more minutes under her belt.
One key stat: Only Delphine Cascarino, Izzy Rodriguez and Rosemonde Kouassi (six each) had more assists in the NWSL than Thompson last season (five).
17. Toko Koga, CB
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Country: Japan
Age: 20
Koga has transitioned well from youth to senior football to quickly become indispensable for club and country at a young age. She featured in all games for Japan in their 2025 SheBelieves Cup win, scoring a goal against the U.S. in the final, and recently joined Tottenham after an impressive year at Feyenoord.
At 5-foot-8, the defender is physically intimidating and robust in duels. Her excellent starting position, body shape and tenacity make her an excellent defender in the box, clearing and blocking everything that the opposition throw at her. She also reads the game brilliantly, tracks her markers, and has excellent timing in her challenges, allowing her to make vital recoveries.
On the ball, she brings composure and calm in the circulation phase, while she has the quality, range and execution to play passes through the opposition lines. With more minutes under her belt, Koga will surely cement herself as one of the best center backs around.
One key stat: Only Tottenham's Clare Hunt (23) has blocked more shots than Koga (22) in the WSL this season.
16. Giulia Dragoni, AM
Club: Barcelona (on loan at AS Roma)
Country: Italy
Age: 19
Dragoni's shock selection, at the age of 16, to represent Italy at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup showed how highly her technical quality and creativity were regarded. A transfer from Inter Milan to Barcelona that same year seemed a perfect fit as she has great vision, skillful footwork, incisive passing and can create dangerous opportunities for her teammates. But she has spent most of her time since 2024 on loan back in Italy with AS Roma.
An excellent ball carrier through midfield, Dragoni's agility and sharp movements allow her to glide past incoming challenges and she loves to play quick exchanges in the final third, accelerating play and unlocking defenses. A real creative force, only time will tell if she is able to break into Barcelona's long-term plans.
One key stat: Only Manuela Giugliano (13) and Evelyne Viens (eight) have more goal contributions for AS Roma in the Serie A Femminile than Dragoni (seven).
15. Olivia Smith, FW
Club: Arsenal
Country: Canada
Age: 21
Smith was briefly the most expensive transfer in women's football history last summer when she made a £1 million move to Arsenal from Liverpool. She has also been voted Canada's best young player twice and won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year in 2025.
The Canada international is an extraordinary ball carrier. She dribbles with speed and quick footwork, making it difficult for the opposition to dispossess her, while her desire to take on defenders helps her win a lot of fouls in dangerous areas. Indeed, her carries up the field are often followed by her taking the opportunity to let fly with her powerful shot, and she has proven she can score from almost any situation.
This season, Arsenal boss Renée Slegers has used Smith in a variety of positions rather than just out wide, and she has played in a number of different roles, adding to her already impressive skillset.
One key stat: 9.6% of Smith's ball carries involve a take-on, the fourth highest by any player in the WSL this season behind Rosa Kafaji (12.7%), Kelly Gago (10.7%) and Ornella Vignola (9.9%).
14. Veerle Buurman, CB
Club: Chelsea
Country: Netherlands
Age: 19
Buurman was named the Dutch Eredivisie's "Talent of the Year" for her performances with PSV in 2024-25, on loan from Chelsea, and she hasn't skipped a beat while adjusting to life in the WSL this season.
Left footed and extremely comfortable on the ball, her composure, and confidence to dribble out from the back all help her side progress, while she has the passing vision to make inroads further up the field. But it is her sharp instincts which make her a potential world-class defender. While her initial positioning is brilliant, she has the recovery pace and ability to claw back possession in any situation with a perfectly timed challenge. Her aerial prowess is also impressive and she boasts a 70.8% win rate from aerial duels in the WSL this season.
One key stat: 19.8% of Buurman's passes are progressive, the highest share among all defenders in the WSL this season (min. 500 minutes); in fact, only her Chelsea teammates Naomi Girma (12.1) averages more than her 11.5.
13. Clara Serrajordi, CM
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Age: 18
Serrajordi has emerged as a reliable option for a depleted Barcelona side this season and has stepped up in the absence of the injured Patri Guijarro. Indeed, she showed she could orchestrate things right from the start -- raising comparisons to the first-choice midfield of Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and Patri -- and has evidently been schooled with Barcelona's ethos firmly in mind.
The 18-year-old is a polished passer with range and accuracy, while her composure on the ball under pressure allows her to retain possession when challenged, identify passing lanes quickly, and progress the play up field. Her positional awareness and reading of the game also allow her to disrupt opposition attacks and help her side in their pressing duties.
She regularly shows for the ball during build-up phases and has the kind of vision that makes it seem as though she's already calculated her next couple of passes in her head before the ball even arrives. Serrajordi has been imitating the greats in Barcelona's midfield this season and is learning from the best, as it's clear she is on a trajectory to replace them in the near future.
One key stat: Serrajordi won the ball back eight times in the attacking third against Benfica in the UEFA Women's Champions League, the highest by any player in a single game this term.
1:40
Olivia Moultrie: Emma Hayes has created the perfect environment for USWNT greatness
USWNT's Olivia Moultrie believes head coach Emma Hayes has built the perfect environment for the national team to succeed in the future.
12. Olivia Moultrie, AM
Club: Portland Thorns
Country: United States
Age: 20
Moultrie has long been hailed as a prodigious talent. From signing her first professional contract at age 15, to being named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year in 2023, and being in the NWSL's Best XI last season, the youngster has always been in the headlines.
Blessed with an incredible elegance on the ball, she is a creative powerhouse in midfield and is always looking for the dangerous vertical pass to open up a defense. She executes high-risk passes with regularity and consistently finds space to receive the ball and weave her magic. Her set-piece deliveries also tend to have the perfect bend and weight to them, which leads to high quality chances on a consistent basis.
Not shy of charging into the box during attacks to pounce on loose balls, her shooting technique is sublime as well, and she is capable of generating power and precision from any distance.
One key stat: Moultrie created the most chances in the NWSL last season (60).
11. Jaedyn Shaw, FW
Club: Gotham FC
Country: United States
Age: 21
Shaw was the part of NWSL's biggest intra-league trade ever this summer, as she joined Gotham FC from North Carolina Courage for a record fee of $1.25 million in allocation money. And the 21-year-old forward played a key role in helping her side win the NWSL Championship in her first season, scoring twice and assisting once in the playoffs.
She is an explosive attacker with a thunderous strike, and her ability to get shots off quickly with either foot (and to generate power with minimal back lift) often catches opposition goalkeepers off guard.
The USWNT star is also tactically flexible and offers a well-rounded threat in attack; she is capable of creating chances, holding up play, breaking the defensive lines with her dribbling, or offering an aerial threat. This makes her dangerous in every phase from anywhere on the pitch, while her defensive workrate isn't to be ignored either.
One key stat: Only Esther González (14) had more goal contributions than Shaw (nine -- six goals, three assists) for Gotham FC in the NWSL last season.
10. Fiamma Benitez, CM
Club: Atlético Madrid
Country: Spain
Age: 21
Fiamma has emerged as a talismanic goal-scoring midfielder in a dwindling Atlético Madrid side. Consistently finding good positions in and around the penalty box, she covers every blade of the grass and is versatile enough to fill multiple roles across the midfield.
After moving to the Rojiblancas from Valencia ahead of the 2024-25 season, Fiamma's creative output and end product have both improved. She is physically formidable, times her runs to perfection and has a thunderous shot to go with it. She's also blessed with excellent vision to make a difference from set-pieces or open play.
Fiamma was involved in seven of Atlético's 13 goals during the league phase of the UEFA Women's Champions League this season, with her strike from the edge of the box against Bayern Munich helping her side earn a valuable draw.
One key stat: Only Bayern's Klara Bühl and Arsenal's Alessia Russo (9 each) had more goal contributions than Benitez (7) in the UWCL league phase this season.
9. Claire Hutton, CM
Club: Bay FC
Country: United States
Age: 20
Hutton was ranked No. 1 in ESPN's U19 NWSL ranking last October and she had an incredible year, helping Kansas City Current to a record-breaking NWSL shield win and then being named in the NWSL's Best XI.
Hutton is an orchestrator, someone who controls and dictates the tempo of the game. Her calmness, passing range and decision making in the buildup phases is almost peerless. The ball remains glued to her feet and her progressive nature means she can often take a touch under pressure and then use her spatial awareness to break through opposition lines. On the defensive side, her positioning is impeccable and doesn't require her to jump into challenges; however, when she does, her timing is usually excellent.
One key stat: Only Portland's Sam Coffey (206) and San Diego's Kenza Dali (181) had more ball recoveries than Hutton among NWSL midfielders last season (170).
1:32
Why 'dream team' OL Lyonnes the right place for Lily Yohannes
Lianne Sanderson talks about Lily Yohannes' development alongside USWNT teammate Lindsey Heaps at OL Lyonnes after being named ESPN's 8th best U21 player.
8. Lily Yohannes, CM
Club: OL Lyonnes
Country: United States
Age: 18
Yohannes has been one of the most sought-after talents in women's football in recent years. From what club she will join (OL Lyonnes from Ajax), to what country she will represent (USWNT over Netherlands), all eyes have been on her, and the 18-year-old midfielder plays with the vision and decisiveness of a veteran who merits that interest.
An attacking midfielder at her core, she has been used in a deeper role at OL Lyonnes this season, which has seen improvements in her off-ball work and passing ability. Generally, her passes have the perfect weight and timing on them to disrupt the opposition's defensive block, and her vision and first touch are clearly a product of learning the game at a technical club like Ajax. She is also capable of testing the goalkeeper from any range, as she showed with a stunning halfway line goal vs. St. Pölten in the Women's Champions League.
One key stat: Yohannes has three goals and four assists in the French Première Ligue this season, only four OL Lyonnes players have managed more (16 - Tabitha Chawinga; 10 - Melchie Dumornay; 8 -- Vicki Becho and Korbin Schrader.
7. Felicia Schröder, ST
Club: BK Häcken
Country: Sweden
Age: 18
Schröder has been hailed as the future of Swedish football for a couple of years and was voted the Damallsvenskan's MVP in 2025 for helping to lead Häcken to their second league title.
She has incredible pace and can ghost in behind the defensive lines in a split second, while she usually operates on the heels of the last defender and gets a lot of her goals from making those explosive runs. Her movement in and around the box is also brilliant, allowing her to lose her marker easily, and once free she can shoot from tight spaces, under pressure and with both feet. Indeed, her ability to get shots off quickly and with a variety of finishes make her a real goal-scoring threat.
As she continues to develop physically, she will only get better at her hold-up play, link-up play with her teammates and aerial ability.
One key stat: Schroder had the most goals (30) and the most goal contributions (39) in the Damallsvenskan last season.
6. Manaka Matsukubo, FW
Club: North Carolina Courage
Country: Japan
Age: 21
Matsubuko first gained attention for her performances with Japan's U20 side -- she played in two U20 FIFA Women's World Cups, as Japan finished as runners up in 2022 and 2024, and scored three goals in the 2024 edition.
Her strengths include her ability to find space and, despite often starting as a central striker, she is dynamic and makes synchronized counter-movements to those of her teammates. That often means she's in the right place at the right time to produce a variety of finishes, but she is just as good at dropping deep, playing quick exchanges and running in behind the defense.
She has excellent vision to play first-time passes or find her teammates in better positions, which makes her a threat when on the ball. Then, defensively, she doesn't shy away from her pressing duties and is great at blocking passing lanes and denying opponents any time on the ball.
One key stat: Matsukubo finished second in goal contributions (15) and third in goals (11), was named as NWSL's midfielder of the year in 2025 and became the youngest NWSL player to score a hat trick in the game against Bay FC.
5. Signe Gaupset, CM
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Country: Norway
Age: 20
Gaupset has been tipped for greatness for some time and was involved in all four goals (2 goals, 2 assists) for Norway against Iceland in their final group-stage game at Euro 2025.
She first grabbed headlines with some excellent performances for SK Brann in the UWCL, scoring crucial goals against OL Lyonnes in December 2023, and lit up the Norwegian Toppserien -- Gaupset was the only player to hit the double digits for both goals and assists, finishing with second-highest number of assists (11) and third-highest goals (15) -- last season before moving to Tottenham in the summer.
Gaupset's quality shines through when she receives the ball deep and has the freedom to float across the pitch. She is often the focal point for her team, and her excellent close control and balance allows her to retain possession when under pressure. But for all her technical brilliance, Gaupset's physically imposing nature gives her the edge in her individual duels, as she can power through defensive lines, accelerate away and hit a powerful shot, or pick a pass with ease.
One key stat: At Euro 2025, Gaupset finished joint fourth in terms of goal contributions behind Spain's Alexia Putellas (7), Sweden's Kosovare Asllani (5) and England's Alessia Russo (5), despite starting just two games.
4. Momoko Tanikawa, CM
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: Japan
Age: 20
Tanikawa was Japan's standout star at the U17 Women's World Cup in 2022, doing absolutely everything on the pitch, but 2024 was her true breakthrough season after signing for Bayern Munich and scoring 16 goals on loan at FC Rosengård to help them win the Swedish Damallsvenskan title.
The midfielder is now an indispensable part of Jose Barcala's system at Bayern and is versatile enough to play in multiple positions, helping in build-up phases, ball progression and chance creation alike. Excellent with both feet, she has a deft touch and unrivalled vision, while her passes are played with the same finesse and accuracy as her deliveries from set pieces.
Furthermore, Tanikawa's defensive quality shines through in her ability to make clean challenges and to claw back possession, while she is excellent in her duels and often disrupts opposition attacks by blocking passing lanes.
One key stat: Only Pernille Harder (10) has scored more goals than Tanikawa (8) in the Frauen Bundesliga for Bayern Munich this season.
2:08
How has Alyssa Thompson adapted to the WSL with Chelsea?
Lianne Sanderson praises USWNT's Alyssa Thompson for her start at Chelsea after being named ESPN's number three ranked best U21 player.
3. Alyssa Thompson, FW
Club: Chelsea
Country: United States
Age: 21
Thompson had been dancing around NSWL defenses for two years at Angel City before she joined Chelsea for a club-record fee of just under £1 million in the summer, and the USWNT winger has instantly became an integral part of the team.
Able to play on either flank or through the middle, she has stepped up in the absence of reliable goal scorers for Chelsea, scoring important goals and creating opportunities for her teammates. Her two-way nature makes her a versatile option for Blues, and she makes good use of her pace and quick change of direction.
Despite not being the tallest, at 5-foot-4, Thompson is an excellent attacking outlet thanks to her positional sense and quick runs in behind the defense. She loves to receive the ball in stride behind the lines and provides a world-class option in transition, which has made her one of the most feared players on the planet.
One key stat: Thompson has the most goal contributions by any Chelsea player in the WSL this season (9).
2. Linda Caicedo, FW
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Colombia
Age: 21
Caicedo's experience belies her age as she's been on an exponential trajectory since making her name at the 2022 Copa America Femenina. She placed second behind Vicky López in the inaugural Kopa Trophy awards last year, cementing her status as one of the top prospects in women's football.
The Colombia international is an excellent ball carrier, with strong acceleration and a box of tricks in her repertoire. Her ability to bounce off challenges when driving forward with the ball makes her difficult to dispossess, while a crafty first touch and close control also allows her to maneuver out of tight spaces.
Caicedo has excellent vision and variety in her passes, allowing her to pose a threat from all areas of the pitch. Her dynamic nature and quality allows her to play in any position across the front line, while her excellent technical ability seeps into her shooting as well, and she can generate power and placement with minimal setup.
She has the clutch gene in her as well, and often comes up with crucial goals on the big stage. Whether it's a UWCL quarterfinal goal against Arsenal last season or a strike against Germany at the FIFA Women's World Cup, Caicedo is always there. She is a difference maker, a player for whom tactical systems bend to accommodate, and a sure-fire future Ballon d'Or winner.
One key stat: No player has recorded more long carries (10+ meters) in the UEFA Women's Champions League than Caicedo (52).
1:27
Sanderson: López to challenge Bonmatí, Putellas for Ballon d'Or
Lianne Sanderson believes the "sky is the limit" for Vicky López after being named ESPN's best U21 player at just 19-years-old.
1. Vicky López, FW
Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Age: 19
López has been collecting individual accolades at every step of her young career to date. She was voted the best player at the U17 Women's World Cup in 2022 after Spain won the title, won the Golden Girl award in 2024, and is the current Kopa Trophy holder from last year. And despite the fact she is yet to turn 20, has already picked up three Liga F titles, two UWCL trophies, two Nations League titles, and a host of other team silverware.
Since joining Barcelona from Madrid CFF in 2022, the Spain forward has blossomed into an impactful player who can influence any game with her incredible ability on the ball. She has the footwork and vision to break opposition lines, while her purposeful dribbles often get the better of opposition defenses. In short: she is a creative behemoth, capable of producing chances from open play and set pieces. But López also works extremely hard without the ball.
The No. 1 on this list last year, López has long been the poster girl of next-gen footballers and still has room to grow. So it would be no surprise to see her here again next year.
One key stat: Lopez has 15 goal contributions in the Liga F this season, the third most behind Barcelona teammates Clàudia Pina (22) and Ewa Pajor (19).
