The 13 Youngest World Cup Winners of All-Time
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 20
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 minutes ago
The 13 youngest players to become FIFA World Cup champions
The World Cup is the biggest stage in international football, and winning it is an achievement that can define a player's entire career. For most footballers, World Cup glory comes after years at the highest level.
However, a select group managed to become world champions while still in their teens or just beyond their 20th birthdays.
Brazilian legend Pelé remains the youngest player ever to win the World Cup, having helped his country lift the trophy in 1958 at 17 years and 249 days old. More than six decades later, his record remains untouched.
The list also includes several other legendary names, including Ronaldo, Giuseppe Bergomi, Kylian Mbappé and Thierry Henry, while the 2026 World Cup added two new names to the youngest winners' records.
Here Are The 13 Youngest World Cup Winners of All Time
Table: Youngest World Cup Winners in History: Top 13 Players
Rank | Player | Country | World Cup | Age |
1 | Pelé | Brazil | 1958 | 17 years, 249 days |
2 | Ronaldo | Brazil | 1994 | 17 years, 298 days |
3 | Giuseppe Bergomi | Italy | 1982 | 18 years, 174 days |
4 | Coutinho | Brazil | 1962 | 19 years, 6 days |
4 | Lamine Yamal | Spain | 2026 | 19 years, 6 days |
6 | Marco Antonio | Brazil | 1970 | 19 years, 135 days |
7 | Pau Cubarsí | Spain | 2026 | 19 years, 178 days |
8 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 2018 | 19 years, 207 days |
9 | Mazzola | Brazil | 1958 | 19 years, 309 days |
10 | Rubén Morán | Uruguay | 1950 | 19 years, 344 days |
11 | Felice Borel | Italy | 1934 | 20 years, 66 days |
12 | Kaká | Brazil | 2002 | 20 years, 69 days |
13 | Matthias Ginter | Germany | 2014 | 20 years, 175 days |
1. Pelé (Brazil)
World Cup: 1958
Age: 17 years, 249 days
Final: Brazil 5-2 Sweden
World Cup appearances: 4
Goals: 6
Pelé holds the record for the youngest player ever to win the World Cup. The Brazilian forward was only 17 when he helped Brazil claim their first world title in Sweden in 1958, producing a tournament that announced him as one of football's extraordinary young talents.
Pelé scored six goals in four appearances, including a brace in the semi-final against France and two more in the final against Sweden.
His performance in the final was particularly extraordinary. Brazil won 5-2, with the teenager scoring twice as his country became world champions for the first time. More than 60 years later, Pelé remains comfortably the youngest World Cup winner in history.
2. Ronaldo (Brazil)
World Cup: 1994
Age: 17 years, 298 days
Final: Brazil 0-0 Italy, Brazil won 3-2 on penalties
World Cup appearances: 0
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima became the second-youngest World Cup winner when Brazil lifted the trophy in the United States in 1994.
Unlike most players on this list, however, Ronaldo did not actually play during the tournament. The teenager was included in Brazil's squad and was part of the team that defeated Italy on penalties in the final at the Rose Bowl.
His first World Cup victory therefore came before his international career had properly taken off. Ronaldo would later become one of the defining forwards of his generation, but he won his first World Cup medal at just 17.
3. Giuseppe Bergomi (Italy)
World Cup: 1982
Age: 18 years, 174 days
Final: Italy 3-1 West Germany
World Cup appearances: 3
Goals: 0
Giuseppe Bergomi was still a teenager when he became a World Cup champion with Italy in 1982. The full-back made three appearances during the tournament and played his part in Italy's successful campaign in Spain.
Italy defeated West Germany 3-1 in the final, with Bergomi becoming one of the youngest players ever to collect a World Cup winner's medal.
His attainment was even more impressive considering the quality of the Italian squad around him. Bergomi would go on to enjoy a long and distinguished international career, but his first World Cup triumph came before his 19th birthday.
4. Coutinho (Brazil)
World Cup: 1962
Age: 19 years, 6 days
Final: Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia
World Cup appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Coutinho was only 19 years and six days old when Brazil won the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
The forward was part of a Brazil squad that successfully defended the trophy won four years earlier.
Although he did not make an appearance during the tournament, his place in the squad meant he became a world champion at an incredibly young age.
Coutinho would later become one of the outstanding forwards in Brazilian football, particularly during his years alongside Pelé at Santos.
4. Lamine Yamal (Spain)
World Cup: 2026
Age: 19 years, 6 days
Final: Spain 1-0 Argentina after extra time
World Cup appearances: 8
Goals: 1
Lamine Yamal joined this exclusive list after helping Spain win the 2026 World Cup. The Spanish winger was 19 years and six days old when Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.
Yamal made eight appearances during the tournament and scored once, playing an important role in Spain's run to the trophy. His victory placed him level with Coutinho as the fourth-youngest World Cup winner in history.
Given his age and his role in Spain's successful campaign, Yamal's inclusion is one of the most notable additions to the list.
6. Marco Antonio (Brazil)
World Cup: 1970
Age: 19 years, 135 days
Final: Brazil 4-1 Italy
World Cup appearances: 2
Goals: 0
Marco Antonio won the World Cup with Brazil in 1970 at 19 years and 135 days old. The full-back made two appearances during the tournament as Brazil produced one of the most celebrated campaigns in World Cup history.
Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 in the final at the Estadio Azteca, securing the country's third World Cup title.
Marco Antonio may not have enjoyed the same individual fame as some of his teammates, but his place in Brazilian football history is secure as a member of that legendary 1970 squad.
7. Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
World Cup: 2026
Age: 19 years, 178 days
Final: Spain 1-0 Argentina after extra time
World Cup appearances: 8
Goals: 0
Pau Cubarsí became one of the youngest World Cup winners in history after helping Spain lift the trophy in 2026.
The centre-back made eight appearances during Spain's campaign, providing defensive strength as the team progressed to the final.
Spain eventually defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time, giving Cubarsí his first World Cup winners' medal at 19 years and 178 days old. His inclusion alongside Yamal also highlights the strength of Spain's young generation.
8. Kylian Mbappé (France)
World Cup: 2018
Age: 19 years, 207 days
Final: France 4-2 Croatia
World Cup appearances: 7
Goals: 4
Kylian Mbappé was already one of the most exciting young forwards in world football when France arrived at the 2018 World Cup. He left Russia as a world champion.
At 19 years and 207 days, Mbappé became the eighth-youngest player to win the tournament after making seven appearances and scoring four goals.
His performances included a memorable display against Argentina in the last 16, while he also scored in the final as France defeated Croatia 4-2.
Mbappé's combination of pace, finishing and confidence made him one of the tournament's standout young players.
9. Mazzola (Brazil)
World Cup: 1958
Age: 19 years, 309 days
Final: Brazil 5-2 Sweden
World Cup appearances: 3
Goals: 2
Mazzola was part of the Brazil squad that won the country's first World Cup in 1958. The forward made three appearances and scored twice during the tournament, contributing to a historic campaign led by a young generation of Brazilian talent.
Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 in the final, with Mazzola becoming a world champion before reaching his 20th birthday. This triumph is another reminder of how young some members of Brazil's first World Cup-winning generation were.
10. Rubén Morán (Uruguay)
World Cup: 1950
Age: 19 years, 344 days
Final: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil
World Cup appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Rubén Morán was only 19 years and 344 days old when Uruguay won the 1950 World Cup. Morán made one appearance during the tournament, featuring in Uruguay's famous 2-1 victory over Brazil in the deciding match at the Maracanã.
That result remains one of the most famous victories in World Cup history. Morán therefore became a world champion before his 20th birthday, earning his place among the youngest players ever to win the competition.
11. Felice Borel (Italy)
World Cup: 1934
Age: 20 years, 66 days
Final: Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia after extra time
World Cup appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Felice Borel won the World Cup with Italy at the 1934 tournament. The forward was 20 years and 66 days old when Italy defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1 after extra time in the final.
Borel made one appearance during the tournament, becoming one of the youngest players to win the World Cup. His name remains part of the history of Italy's first World Cup triumph.
12. Kaká (Brazil)
World Cup: 2002
Age: 20 years, 69 days
Final: Germany 0-2 Brazil
World Cup appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Kaká was 20 years and 69 days old when Brazil won the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. The attacking midfielder made one appearance during the tournament, joining a squad packed with established Brazilian stars.
Brazil defeated Germany 2-0 in the final, with Ronaldo scoring both goals. Kaká's role was limited during the tournament, but the winner's medal became the first World Cup title of a career that would later include the Ballon d'Or and Champions League glory.
13. Matthias Ginter (Germany)
World Cup: 2014
Age: 20 years, 175 days
Final: Germany 1-0 Argentina after extra time
World Cup appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Matthias Ginter became a World Cup champion with Germany in 2014 at 20 years and 175 days old. The centre-back was part of Joachim Löw's squad as Germany went all the way in Brazil.
Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final, with Mario Götze scoring the decisive goal. Ginter did not make an appearance during the tournament, but his place in the squad earned him a World Cup winners' medal before his 21st birthday.
What Do the Youngest World Cup Winners Have in Common?
The list contains an interesting mixture of players. Some were already major contributors to their country's success. Pelé scored six goals for Brazil in 1958, while Mbappé scored four for France in 2018. Yamal also played eight matches during Spain's successful 2026 campaign. Others barely featured.
Ronaldo, Coutinho, Ginter and several others became world champions without appearing in the final tournament match. Their inclusion demonstrates that being part of a victorious World Cup squad can produce an outstanding accomplishment even when a young player is not yet a regular starter.
Brazil also dominates the list, with five of the 13 youngest World Cup winners representing the country. Spain has two players in the top seven following its 2026 triumph, while Italy, France, Uruguay and Germany also feature.
Youngest World Cup Winners: Key Facts
Youngest ever: Pelé, at 17 years and 249 days.
Youngest World Cup winner in 2026: Lamine Yamal, at 19 years and 6 days.
Youngest defender: Giuseppe Bergomi, at 18 years and 174 days.
Youngest player to score in a World Cup final among this list: Pelé.
Countries with the most players in the top 13: Brazil, with five.
Youngest player to win the World Cup without making an appearance: Ronaldo, at 17 years and 298 days.
The Youngest World Cup Winners
Winning the World Cup at any age is a phenomenal feat. Doing it as a teenager is something else entirely. Pelé's record remains the benchmark, but the players around him tell a fascinating story about young footballers making their mark on the world's biggest stage.
Some became central figures in their victories. Others watched from the sidelines while gaining experience that would shape their careers.
Either way, becoming a world champion before turning 21 puts these 13 players in an exceptionally exclusive part of World Cup history.
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