Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Mexico midfielder was 17 years and 240 days old on June 11, 2026, the opening day of the tournament, making him the youngest of all 1,248 players across 48 nations. He came on as a substitute in Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa and became the youngest player in Mexican history to appear at a World Cup, breaking a record that had stood for 96 years.
5 quick facts about Gilberto Mora:
- Age at tournament start: 17 years, 240 days
- Born: October 14, 2008, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico
- Club: Club Tijuana, Liga MX
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- World Cup debut: June 11, 2026 vs South Africa (substitute, 65th minute)
Who are the Youngest Players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 22 teenagers across 48 squads. Gilberto Mora leads the list.
| Player | Country | Age at Tournament Start |
| Gilberto Mora | Mexico | 17 years, 240 days |
| Kendry Páez | Ecuador | 19 years |
| Yan Diomande | Ivory Coast | 19 years |
| Endrick | Brazil | 19 years |
| Lamine Yamal | Spain | 18 years |
Mora is the only player at this tournament still 17 years old. Kendry Páez, born May 4, 2007, and playing on loan at River Plate from Chelsea, is the next youngest at 19. Endrick plays for Lyon in Ligue 1. Yan Diomande represents Ivory Coast after a strong season with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Who is Gilberto Mora?
Gilberto Mora is an attacking midfielder born on October 14, 2008, in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. He plays for Club Tijuana in Liga MX. His father, Gilberto Mora Olayo, was also a professional footballer in Liga MX before retiring in 2011.
Career milestones:
| Milestone | Age | Year |
| Liga MX debut (vs Santos Laguna) | 15 | August 2024 |
| Youngest to start and score in Liga MX history | 15 | 2024 |
| Youngest player to debut for Mexico senior team | 16 | January 16, 2025 |
| Youngest winner of a FIFA-recognised senior men’s tournament (Gold Cup) | 16 | 2025 |
| Youngest player in Mexico World Cup history | 17 | June 11, 2026 |
He made his Liga MX debut on August 19, 2024, replacing a starter against Santos Laguna, making him the third-youngest player to debut in Liga MX history, behind Victor Manon and Martin Galvan. He recorded an assist in that first appearance.
On January 16, 2025, he became the youngest player ever to debut for Mexico’s senior national team at 16. He then started all three knockout-stage matches as Mexico won the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, becoming the youngest winner of a FIFA-recognised men’s senior tournament.
At the World Cup, coach Javier Aguirre sent him on in the 65th minute against South Africa. By stepping onto the pitch, Mora broke the record held by Manuel ‘Chaquetas’ Rosas since 1930. Rosas had appeared for Mexico against France in Uruguay at 18 years and 134 days. Mora did it at 17 years and 240 days.
On June 9, 2026, two days before the World Cup started, Club Tijuana signed Mora to a new three-year contract, handed him the No. 10 jersey, and included a reported €20 million release clause to smooth a future move to Europe. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and multiple Premier League clubs are tracking him.
Can Gilberto Mora Break Pelé’s World Cup Goalscoring Record?
Pelé scored his first World Cup goal at 17 years and 239 days old, against Wales in the 1958 quarter-finals. It remains the record for the youngest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Mora was already 17 years and 240 days old on June 11, the day of Mexico’s first match. That means he missed Pelé’s record by just one day. He cannot break it at this tournament.
However, if Mora scores at any point in the 2026 World Cup, he will become the second-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history, ahead of Mexico’s own Manuel Rosas, who scored at 18 years and 93 days at the 1930 World Cup.
Youngest World Cup goalscorers (all-time):
| Player | Country | Age at Goal |
| Pelé | Brazil | 17 years, 239 days (1958) |
| Manuel Rosas | Mexico | 18 years, 93 days (1930) |
| Gavi | Spain | 18 years, 110 days (2022) |
| Gilberto Mora (if he scores) | Mexico | 17 years, 240+ days (2026) |
One day separates Mora from Pelé’s record. That gap cannot be closed at this tournament. But second place on the all-time list is still there for the taking, and it belongs to another Mexican, which adds to the story.
The Pelé record will remain untouched at this World Cup. What Mora can do is sit directly underneath it.
Mexico Team and the 2026 World Cup
Mexico is one of three co-host nations at the 2026 World Cup, alongside the United States and Canada. Coach Javier Aguirre selected Mora in his 26-man squad, a decision that paid off immediately with the record-breaking debut against South Africa.
Other key Mexico team players in the squad include Raúl Jiménez, who headed home the second goal against South Africa, and Julián Quiñones, who scored the opener. Mexico won their Group A opener 2-0, with Mora entering the pitch in the second half.
As a 17-year-old soccer player already in the starting rotation of a World Cup host nation, Mora represents both Mexico’s present campaign and their long-term future. No other Mexican player has appeared at a World Cup younger.
FAQs
Who is the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup?
Gilberto Mora of Mexico, aged 17 years and 240 days at the start of the tournament on June 11, 2026.
How old is Gilberto Mora?
He was born on October 14, 2008. He was 17 at the start of the 2026 World Cup and will turn 18 in October 2026.
What record did Gilberto Mora break at the 2026 World Cup?
He became the youngest Mexican player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup, replacing Manuel ‘Chaquetas’ Rosas, who set the record at 18 years and 134 days at the 1930 World Cup. That record stood for 96 years.
Can Gilberto Mora break Pelé’s youngest goalscorer record?
No. Pelé scored at 17 years and 239 days. Mora was already 17 years and 240 days on matchday one, one day older. If he scores at this tournament, he becomes the second-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history, not the first.
What club does Gilberto Mora play for?
Club Tijuana in Liga MX, Mexico.
Who is the youngest Mexican soccer player to play at a World Cup?
Gilberto Mora, at 17 years and 240 days, during Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa on June 11, 2026.
What is Gilberto Mora’s position?
Attacking midfielder.
Conclusion
Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the youngest in Mexican World Cup history. At 17 years and 240 days, he missed Pelé’s all-time goalscoring record by a single day, but if he scores during this tournament, he moves directly into second place on that list, above a record held by another Mexican since 1930.
The Mora Mexico story is only at its beginning. He has broken four national records before turning 18. The fifth could come in the knockout stages.
