- By Sunny Daud
- Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:38 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Spain have named Lamine Yamal in the starting lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday (July 19). The young winger has reached another major milestone by becoming the third-youngest player ever to play in a FIFA World Cup final.
Brazil legend Pelé still holds the record as the youngest player to appear in a World Cup final. He was only 17 years and 249 days old when Brazil faced Sweden in the 1958 final. Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi is second on the list after playing the 1982 final against West Germany at the age of 18 years and 201 days.
Yamal, who is 19 years and six days old, now joins that exclusive list. His Spain teammate Pau Cubarsí has also made history. At 19 years and 178 days old, the Barcelona defender has become the fourth-youngest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup final.
Youngest players to feature in FIFA World Cup final
| EDITION | PLAYER | COUNTRY | AGE | AGAINST | VENUE | DATE |
| 1958 | Pele | Brazil | 17 years, 249 days | Sweden | Råsunda Stadium, Solna | June 29, 1958 |
| 1982 | Giuseppe Bergom | Italy | 18 years, 201 days | West Germany | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid | July 11, 1982 |
| 2026 | Lamine Yamal | Spain | 19 years, 6 days | Argentina | New York New Jersey Stadium | July 19, 2026 |
| 2026 | Pau Cubarsi | Spain | 19 years, 178 days | Argentina | New York New Jersey Stadium | July 19, 2026 |
| 2018 | Kylian Mbappe | France | 19 years, 207 days | Croatia | Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow | July 15, 2018 |
France captain Kylian Mbappé rounds out the top five. He was 19 years and 207 days old when he played in the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia.
History is also on Yamal’s side. Pelé scored in the 1958 final and helped Brazil win the World Cup, while Bergomi lifted the trophy with Italy in 1982. Mbappé also became a world champion with France in 2018. Yamal will now hope to follow in their footsteps and help Spain win the biggest prize in football.
The 19-year-old has also achieved another unique record. Playing in his first FIFA World Cup, Yamal has become the first teenager ever to start both a UEFA Euro final and a FIFA World Cup final.