The tournament, which kicks-off in Indonesia on Friday, has been previously lit up by the likes of Phil Foden, Cesc Fabregas & Toni Kroos
While the focus of the footballing world is predominantly on club football right now, for some of the game's brightest young talents, all eyes are on international duty and helping to lead their team to glory at the Under-17 World Cup, which kicks-off on Friday, November 10 in Indonesia.
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Brazil are the defending champions, having won the competition on home soil in 2019, and are one of the 24 countries to have qualified for this year's tournament in the hope of both lifting the trophy and exciting fans back home with the potential of the next generation.
Previous iterations of the U17 World Cup have offered a first glimpse at some stars of the future, with previous Golden Ball and Golden Boot winners including Phil Foden, Cesc Fabregas, Toni Kroos, Victor Osimhen and Landon Donovan.
So, who looks set to follow in those illustrious footsteps this time around? GOAL has picked out 17 players to keep an eye on over the next few weeks, ahead of the final on December 2…
How to watch the U17 World Cup on TV & stream liveGael Alvarez (Mexico)
Mexico qualified for the tournament after winning the CONCACAF U17 Championship in February, and Alvarez proved to be the star of the show as he picked up the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
The 17-year-old, who plays his club football for Pachuca, is a winger who plays predominantly off the left-hand side and uses his quick feet and change of pace to beat defenders before crossing for team-mates or cutting inside onto his favoured right foot.
Alvarez has already spent time at Feyenoord on trial, and further European clubs are sure to take notice if he can repeat his heroics from the continental championship on the global scale.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesKarol Borys (Poland)
With Robert Lewandowski likely closing in on international retirement, Polish football is on the lookout for a new poster boy, and Borys has all the potential to fill that void over the next decade.
The 17-year-old midfielder is noted for his all-round game, though his dribbling ability and willingness to commit defenders with his close control is what sets him apart from his peers, while he scored three goals in Poland's run to the semi-finals of the U17 Euros that secured their World Cup qualification.
Having previously spent time on trial at Manchester United, Borys has also been linked with Manchester City and PSV after impressing in his handful of appearances for boyhood club Slock Wrocklaw, for whom he is their youngest-ever player.
Getty ImagesParis Brunner (Germany)
Dubbed 'the next Youssoufa Moukoko' at Borussia Dortmund thanks to his outrageous goalscoring numbers for the club's youth teams, Brunner was voted Player of the Tournament and was the competition's joint-top scorer as Germany won the U17 Euros during the summer.
The 17-year-old forward has netted 10 times in eight league games for Dortmund's U19s so far this season, and has likened his own game to that of Leroy Sane's due to his tendency to bring the ball forward from deep to get into dangerous positions.
Barcelona are said to be tracking his progress, though there are some character concerns that need ironing out, with Brunner having recently been suspended by Dortmund following an unspecified incident that has meant he hasn't played since mid-October.
Getty ImagesPau Cubarsi (Spain)
La Masia is not renowned for producing top-tier centre-backs, but in Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona look to have unearthed a defensive gem with the capabilities of becoming a mainstay at Camp Nou in the coming years.
Like many up-and-coming defenders, the 16-year-old is supremely comfortable when in possession, though it is his reading of the game at such a young age which really makes him stand out from his peers.
Cubarsi has already made Xavi's matchday squad on a number of occasions this season, including for El Clasico and in the Champions League, and was recently linked with Chelsea as the Blues look to continue sweeping up top talents from around the globe.
