The FIFA World Cup brings together some of the best soccer players in or around their physical prime. They come from all different backgrounds, from various leagues, countries, and cultures. Their stories are inspiring due to the hard work that got them to this point. Today we look at the youngest players to score at the FIFA World Cup.
Pele – 17 Years, 239 Days
The youngest player to score at a men’s FIFA World Cup finals is Brazilian striker Pelé. He scored six goals on his way to glory in 1958 when he was just 17 years and 239 days old.
Pelé is the only player under 18 to have scored in a match in tournament history. His goal against Wales in the quarter-final came when he was aged just 17 years and 239 days old, making it one of only six goals scored by a player before turning 18 years old in World Cup history.
Manuel Rosas – 18 Years, 93 Days
Manuel Rosas is the second youngest player to score at the FIFA World Cup. He was 18 years and 93 days old when he scored for Mexico against Bulgaria in 1994. The goal was memorable: Rosas dribbled through the Bulgarian defense, then slotted the ball into the net with his left foot.
Rosas also holds the record for being the youngest player to score for his country in an international match. He made his debut for Mexico at age 16, one month and 12 days old—a full five months before scoring that first goal at the World Cup.
Michael Owen – 18 Years, 190 Days)
Michael Owen is a legend in the world of football. He scored a goal 30 seconds into his England debut and became one of the most prolific scorers in the Premier League. But Owen’s not just known for his skill on the pitch—he’s also known for being one of the youngest players to ever score at the FIFA World Cup.
Owen made his debut for England at 18 and 190 days old and scored against Argentina in 1998. He’s only 31 years old, so he has plenty of time to continue breaking records and making waves in the game.
Nicolae Kovacs – 18 Years, 197 Days)
The fourth youngest player to score at the FIFA World Cup was Romanian forward Nicolae Kovács, 18 years and 197 days old, when he scored his only goal at the 1930 tournament.
Romania beat Peru 3-1 in their tournament’s opening match, with Kovács finding the net in the second half. He would play for Romania for many more years, including at the 1934 World Cup, where he scored twice in three matches.
Dmitry Sychev – 18 Years, 231 Days)
In 2002, Dmitry Sychev became the fifth youngest player to ever score at the FIFA World Cup.
He was just 18 years and 231 days old when he scored past Geert De Vlieger in the Belgian goal and had earlier come on as a first-half substitute.
Sychev’s 88th-minute goal for Russia in their 3-2 defeat against Belgium at the 2002 World Cup was the last that Russia scored in the finals in Japan and South Korea – they were eliminated in the group stage.
