Plenty of players will look to make a name for themselves on the International scene this March. Here are 10 potential debutants to look out for in March 2026:
Lennart Karl
Age: 18
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Winger
Club: FC Bayern Munich (Germany)
Lennart Karl’s inclusion in the German national team was only a matter of time. Since making his debut with Bayern during last summer’s Club World Cup, Karl has become an integral part of the squad at only 18. Karl is expected to play in the upcoming friendlies, with Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann saying he hopes he can bring youthful enthusiasm and energy into the squad.
Nathan De Cat
Age: 17
Position: Central Midfielder
Club: RSC Anderlecht (Belgium)
It could seem crazy that a 17 year old can break into the national team in a country with depth such as Belgium. But De Cat’s influence on his club side Anderlecht couldn’t be ignored by Rudi Garcia any longer. De Cat is mature beyond his years, and is already an imposing figure in the midfield. De Cat is seen as a pivotal part of Belgium’s future, and could end up playing an important role for them this summer at the World Cup.
Mika Godts
Age: 20
Position: Winger
Club: AFC Ajax (Netherlands)
Similarly to Belgium compatriot Nathan De Cat, Mika Godts’ form for his club was too strong to be ignored by head coach Rudi Garcia. Godts has not only become a key player for Ajax, but he is one of the top players in the Dutch Eredivise this season. Godts is currently the top scorer at Ajax, and is the 2nd top scorer in the entire league this season. Godts faces stiff competition for a place at the World Cup this summer, with Belgium having plenty of depth in attack. But if Godts can carry his club form over to Belgium’s March fixtures, there is little doubt he will be on the plane to North America this summer.
Igor Thiago
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Club: Brentford FC (England)
Could Igor Thiago become a solution to Brazil’s number 9 problem? Carlo Ancelotti sure hopes that’s the case, as he hands the 24 year old Brentford striker his first call-up for Brazil. Thiago has been a revelation in the Premier League this season, second in goals only to Erling Haaland. Thiago is a bit of throwback centre-forward, a towering presence who is great in the air, but also able to play a high tempo pressing style. Thiago is expected to get a chance to stake his claim for a World Cup spot this March.
Kasper Høgh
Age: 25
Position: Striker
Club: FK Bodø/Glimt (Norway)
Kasper Høgh has been a focal point of the Bodø/Glimt side football fans have fallen in love with over the last few months due to their exploits in the Champions League. Høgh scored 5 Champions League goals in 12 matches, on top of being 2nd top scorer in the Norwegian top flight last season. Høgh is gaining a lot of interest from big European clubs and is expected to move in the summer. In the short term, he will be looking to make his Denmark debut in the upcoming World Cup Qualifying playoffs, where he is expected to come off the bench as an impact sub.
Matviy Ponomarenko
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Club: FC Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine)
Matviy Ponomarenko’s inclusion in the Ukraine squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifying playoffs came as a bit of a necessity, with Roma striker Artem Dovbyk out injured. However, the Dynamo Kyiv striker has been red hot form his club, with 9 goals in 10 league matches this season. Roman Yaremchuk is expected to play from the start, but don’t be surprised to see Ponamarenko come off the bench for Serhiy Rebrov’s side if they need a goal as he is perhaps the most in-form Ukrainian striker at the moment.
Kento Shiogai
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Club: VfL Wolfsburg (Germany)
Kento Shiogai is yet another talented Japanese player making a name for himself in European football. Shiogai scored 9 goals in 14 appearances for club side NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands at the start of the season, earning him a move to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. Shiogai hasn’t quite hit form yet for a struggling Wolfsburg side, but he’s done enough to earn a call from Hajime Moriyasu. Shiogai will be keen to make an instant impact for Japan and secure his spot at this summers World Cup.
Kees Smit
Age: 20
Position: Central Midfielder
Club: AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
Kees Smit was on the receiving end of some high praise from Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, comparing the AZ Alkmaar midfielder to Barcelona and Spain star man Pedri. It might be a little much to expect Smit to perform like Pedri from the start for the Netherlands, but it’s clear that the coach is a fan. Smit has now earned his first call-up to the Dutch squad in advance of the World Cup, and will surely be given every opportunity to make his case to be on the plane to North America.
Oskar Pietuszewski
Age: 17
Position: Winger
Club: FC Porto (Portugal)
Oskar Pietuszewski is very much the name on everyone’s lips at the moment in Poland. The 17 year old moved from Polish top flight side Jagiellonia Białystok to Portugese giants FC Porto this January and has made an instant impact. He’s featured in all but 1 league match since joining, and his minutes and resposilities have increased steadily. Pietuszewski has a goal or assist in 5 straight league matches for Porto, and his form was too much to ignore for Poland head coach Jan Urban. There was plenty of talk from the Polish head coach about protecting the young talent, but he is expected to play a big role in Poland’s upcoming World Cup Qualifying playoffs.
Cristhian Mosquera
Age: 21
Position: Centre-Back
Club: Arsenal FC (England)
Mosquera was in the midst of dual-national battle between Spain, the country of his birth, and Colombia, the country of his parents birth. Many though Mosquera would be tempted to declare for Colombia in the leadup to the World Cup, but it looks as though Mosquera is sticking it out with Spain. Mosquera’s big move to Arsenal has seen him get limited minutes, but still valuable experience for a side chasing a title. Mosquera is clearly highly though of by Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who sees the left-footed centre-back as a big part of Spain’s future.
Leave a Reply