World Cup 2026: Which young stars are poised to see their card markets surge?
The FIFA World Cup is just days away, with 48 nations vying for soccer’s biggest prize.
Each team has a mix of veterans and young stars, players who have been slowly making a name for themselves on and off the pitch.
Over the course of the next month, some players will make so much noise that collectors will take notice and we’ll see their soccer cards spike in value. Here’s a look at six young soccer stars you might want to keep an eye on.
Lamine Yamal: The Spanish star is one player you should already know. At just 18 years old, he is one of the game’s brightest young stars and has gained attention with his flashy moves. He’s also had several cards sell for six figures. He’s not an unknown, but he’s a player you do not want to forget about — and you probably won’t once you see him play.
Endrick: Endrick is part of a long line of Brazilian soccer stars who go by just their first name. The 19-year-old striker is still finding his footing and is coming off a strong campaign with Lyon, but collectors have already had their eyes on Endrick. A 1-of-1 2024-25 Topps Reverence Rookie Coronation RPA sold for $50,099 on May 4.
Désiré Doué: The 21-year-old has made a name for himself at both the club and international levels, including scoring a goal for France in the 2024 Olympics. His cards saw a spike in 2025, including several five-figure sales for low-numbered and rare cards.
Lennart Karl: The 18-year-old Bayern Munich star is capturing attention. On Sunday, in a 4-1 Germany win over Finland in a friendly, Karl became the youngest player since records began being kept in 2005 to contribute to a German national team goal with an assist. His cards have started to gain value in recent weeks, with a 2025-26 Topps UEFA Club Competitions Foilfractor Autograph 1-of-1 selling for $140,000 in March.
Nico Paz: Paz is one of the most exciting players out of Argentina, but the 21-year-old may miss the World Cup due to injury. He scored 12 goals for Como this season in league play. If healthy, he’s a player whose card values could benefit from a strong World Cup showing. His highest-selling card, a 2023-24 Select La Liga Mezzanine Black 1-of-1, sold for $5,880 in November.
Arda Güler: The 21-year-old is an important member of the Turkish national team. He made headlines with a record-tying 74-yard goal in La Liga. Güler earned the Champions League Revelation of the Season award. His cards haven’t commanded big prices yet, but a strong World Cup showing could change that, especially with Turkey in the same group as the United States. He’s bound to get plenty of airtime.
