Last year, we highlighted 21 of the top women’s players globally aged 21 or younger, with Vicky López taking the top spot. However, this year, several players from that list no longer qualify by age, including Melchie Dumornay, Tarciane, Ally Sentnor, and Salma Paralluelo.
Many players in this year’s selection have made significant contributions to their teams over the past season, aiding in their successes such as Arsenal’s victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, England’s retention of their European Championship title, Brazil’s triumph in the Copa America Femenina, and notable transfers during a record-breaking summer transfer window.
Which players have distinguished themselves enough to secure a spot on ESPN’s 2026 list, and what sets them apart?
With numerous teams and leagues worldwide, a broad search is necessary to identify the best talents. Yash Thakur evaluated and ranked the youngest players in the sport, incorporating insights from ESPN’s correspondents in the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
What were the criteria?
While skill and potential were significant factors in their rankings, they were not the sole considerations. From an initial longlist of 50 players, those who remained were those who best met the primary criteria: appearances at the highest level, consistent performance over time, and the potential to evolve into elite footballers.
A panel consisting of players, coaches, journalists, and fans contributed to the final rankings. Personal preferences also influenced the decisions.
Why did some players miss out?
As the list was limited to the top 21 players, some prominent talents inevitably did not make the cut. Despite their undeniable skill and potential, injuries, limited playing time, and performance inconsistencies prevented them from being included.
For instance, England’s unexpected standout at Euro 2025, Michelle Agyemang, had a promising summer but unfortunately suffered an ACL injury early in the season; Japan’s Maika Hamano started the year strongly but lost favor at Chelsea and subsequently moved to Spurs on loan; while Bayern Munich’s Alara Sehitler and Arsenal’s Smilla Holmberg have yet to fully secure starting positions at their clubs.
Notes:
– Players 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 are accurate as of March 31.
The List
21. Claudia Martínez, FW
Club: Washington Spirit
Country: Paraguay
Age: 18
Martinez represented the under-17, U20, and senior Paraguay teams in a single year in 2025, contributing to the senior team’s fifth-place finish at the Copa America Femenina, where she was involved in seven of their nine goals and ended as the joint-top scorer of the tournament.
A dynamic and powerful forward, Martinez can penetrate defenses with her speed. She possesses exceptional ball-striking skills and has an innate sense of where to position herself, making her a significant threat at such a young age.
In January, she transferred to NWSL club Washington Spirit from Club Olimpia for a fee of $950,000, ranking among the top 10 transfers in the league’s history. As she continues to refine her abilities in the United States, she will remain a beacon of hope for Paraguay for years to come.
One key stat: Martinez recorded 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 15 and made her senior debut in February 2025. This season, she has frequently been included in the starting lineup, and her versatility allows her to play both right back and center back without a noticeable decline in performance.
A two-time U19 European Championship winner with Spain, she has a keen understanding of the game and is strong in one-on-one situations, adept at denying opponents time and space on the ball. Her timing, decision-making, and runs at such a young age give her an appearance of greater experience, and she can influence play at both ends of the field.
In a seasoned Barcelona defense, Camara plays a crucial role and is likely to become essential for both her club and country.
One key stat: Camara has recorded six assists in Liga F this season, the second most by a defender, trailing only her teammate Mapi León (seven).
19. Riley Jackson, DM/CM
Club: North Carolina Courage
Country: United States
Age: 20
Jackson first displayed her talent on the international stage at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2022, where she captained the U.S. to the quarterfinals. Although she missed a penalty in that match, her character and skill left a lasting impression. Since then, she has developed into a strong defensive midfielder, starting 23 of North Carolina Courage’s 26 games in the NWSL last season.
She plays with confidence, orchestrating the game from the defensive third, and possesses an impressive passing range. Her accuracy and incisiveness, along with her defensive awareness, make her a vital player in both buildup and progression phases. Jackson’s excellent positioning also aids in recovering possession and disrupting opposing attacks.
While she may not be the most flamboyant player on the field, she is the driving force behind her team’s play.
One key stat: In 2025, Jackson attempted the third-most passes (1,194) and passes ending in the final third (619) in the NWSL, ranking third in both categories among midfielders.
18. Gisele Thompson, RB
Club: Angel City FC
Country: United States
Age: 20
The younger sister of Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson, Gisele gained attention during the U.S.’s third-place finish at the U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2024. She made her debut for Angel City in the same year and soon represented the senior USWNT.
She is exceptionally quick and can cover ground between the two boxes rapidly; despite being a full back, she is fundamentally an attacking player who enjoys taking on defenders, skillfully maneuvering into the opposition’s box. Her ability to deliver a decisive final ball makes her a potential game-changer, and her decision-making and defensive skills will improve with more experience.
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 made a smooth transition from youth to senior football, quickly becoming vital for both club and country. She played in every match for Japan during their 2025 SheBelieves Cup victory, scoring against the U.S. in the final, and recently joined Tottenham after a standout year at Feyenoord.
Standing at 5-foot-8, the defender is physically imposing and strong in duels. Her excellent positioning, body shape, and tenacity make her a formidable presence in the box, effectively clearing and blocking everything the opposition attempts. She also demonstrates exceptional game awareness, tracking her assignments and executing timely challenges, enabling her to make crucial recoveries.
On the ball, she exhibits composure and calmness during circulation, possessing the quality, range, and precision to deliver passes through opposition lines. With more experience, Koga is poised to establish herself as one of the top center backs in the game.
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 surprising selection at just 16 years old for Italy at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup highlighted her technical skill and creativity. A transfer from Inter Milan to Barcelona that same year appeared to be an ideal match, as she possesses great vision, skillful footwork, precise passing, and the ability to create dangerous chances for her teammates. However, 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 quick movements enable her to evade incoming challenges, and she enjoys playing quick exchanges in the final third, accelerating play and unlocking defenses. A genuine creative force, only time will reveal if she can secure a long-term role at Barcelona.
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 briefly held the record for the most expensive transfer in women’s football last summer when she moved to Arsenal from Liverpool for £1 million. She has also been recognized as Canada’s best young player twice and received the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award in 2025.
The Canada international is an exceptional ball carrier. She dribbles with speed and agility, making it challenging for opponents to dispossess her, while her eagerness to take on defenders results in many fouls in dangerous areas. Her forward runs are often followed by powerful shots, demonstrating her ability to score from various situations.
This season, Arsenal manager Renée Slegers has utilized Smith in multiple positions rather than solely on the wing, allowing her to showcase her diverse skill set.
One key stat: 9.6% of Smith’s ball carries involve a take-on, the fourth highest among players 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 awarded the Dutch Eredivisie’s “Talent of the Year” for her performances with PSV in 2024-25 while on loan from Chelsea, and she has seamlessly adapted to the WSL this season.
Left-footed and highly comfortable on the ball, her composure and confidence in dribbling from the back contribute to her team’s progression, and she possesses the vision to make significant passes further up the field. However, it is her sharp instincts that suggest she could become a world-class defender. Her initial positioning is excellent, and she has the recovery speed and capability to regain possession in any situation with perfectly timed challenges. Her aerial ability is also noteworthy, boasting a 70.8% win rate in aerial duels in the WSL this season.
One key stat: 19.8% of Buurman’s passes are progressive, the highest percentage among all defenders in the WSL this season (minimum 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 dependable option for a depleted Barcelona squad this season, stepping up in the absence of the injured Patri Guijarro. She has demonstrated her ability to orchestrate play from the outset, drawing comparisons to the first-choice midfield trio of Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, and Patri, and has clearly been trained with Barcelona’s philosophy in mind.
The 18-year-old is a skilled passer with both range and accuracy, and her composure under pressure allows her to maintain possession when challenged, quickly identifying passing lanes to advance play. Her positional awareness and game reading enable her to disrupt opposition attacks and assist her team in pressing situations.
She consistently shows for the ball during buildup phases and possesses the vision to seemingly have her next few passes planned before the ball arrives. Serrajordi has been emulating the greats in Barcelona’s midfield this season and is learning from the best, indicating she is on a path to succeed 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 match this season.
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12. Olivia Moultrie, AM
Club: Portland Thorns
Country: United States
Age: 20
Moultrie has long been recognized as a remarkable 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 included in the NWSL’s Best XI last season, she has consistently been in the spotlight.
Endowed with remarkable elegance on the ball, she serves as a creative force in midfield, always seeking the dangerous vertical pass to penetrate defenses. She regularly executes high-risk passes and consistently finds space to receive the ball and create opportunities. Her set-piece deliveries are also characterized by perfect bend and weight, leading to high-quality chances on a regular basis.
Not hesitant to surge into the box during attacks to capitalize on loose balls, her shooting technique is exceptional, allowing her to generate both 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 part of the largest intra-league trade in NWSL history this summer, moving to Gotham FC from North Carolina Courage for a record fee of $1.25 million in allocation money. The 21-year-old forward played a crucial role in her team’s NWSL Championship victory in her debut season, scoring twice and providing one assist in the playoffs.
She is an explosive attacker with a powerful shot, and her ability to quickly release shots with either foot (and generate power with minimal back lift) often surprises opposing goalkeepers.
The USWNT star is also tactically adaptable, presenting a well-rounded threat in attack; she can create chances, hold up play, break defensive lines with her dribbling, or provide an aerial threat. This versatility makes her dangerous in all phases of play, and her defensive work rate is also commendable.
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.
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