“Rising Star” 4 Best U23 Players 2026 World Cup – Group I

Brought to you by The Book of Scouting, our experts analysed “The 2026 World Cup-Group I” unfolds a new wave of young talents is making a name for themselves across the tournaments. From commanding defenders to dynamic forwards, these players are proving their worth with standout performances and impressive data-driven contributions. Using advanced performance metrics, we break down their impact, strengths, and potential, giving a data-driven perspective on why these rising stars are ones to watch. Let’s dive into the numbers and uncover what makes them stand out in 2026 World Cup Group I.

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“Rising Star” 4 Best U23 Players 2026 World Cup Group I

Malo Gusto (‘03) (RB) – France (Chelsea Performance)

Malo Gusto‘s CompaAI Parameters League Passing report:

Malo Gusto’s clearest strength is his volume and reliability in ball circulation. He ranks 1st out of 5 among U23 right-backs with 42.84 passes per match and 36.4 successful passes per match, ahead of Conor Bradley, who posts 33.93 passes and 28.47 successful passes. This is supported by 41.64 offensive passes and 35.68 successful offensive passes per match, again ranking 1st, which points to a right-back who is consistently involved in possession and progression. His crossing and wide progression are also competitive. He is 1st with 2.24 crosses per match, and he also leads with 0.36 key passes, 0.16 key passes received, and 0.08 successful smart passes per match. In addition, he ranks 1st for 1.36 successful long passes, tied with Nicolò Savona. This shows a balanced passing profile: he can go short, support combinations, and occasionally switch or stretch play with longer distribution.

Malo Gusto’s best seasonal passing indicators are his high pass volume, ball security, and reliable involvement in progressive circulation. His top-ranked metrics include passes, successful passes, offensive passes, forward passes, accurate passes into the penalty box, successful passes received, successful passes, successful through passes, short-pass accuracy, and link-up play.

Malo Gusto (‘03) (RB) – France (Chelsea Performance)

El Hadji Malick Diouf (‘04) (LB) – Senegal (West Ham United Performance)

El Hadji Malick Diouf‘s CompaAI Parameters League Defensive report:

Diouf’s strongest seasonal defensive output is in interceptions, where he ranks 1st out of 5 LB U23 players with 4.47 interceptions per match. He also leads the group in pass interceptions at 3.16 per match, again ranked 1st out of 5. Compared with the nearest challengers, Lewis Hall posts 4.14 interceptions and Nico O’Reilly records 2.86 pass interceptions, so Diouf sits at the top of the peer group in reading play and interrupting ball progression. Diouf is also top-ranked for clearances, producing 3.19 per match and placing 1st out of 5. Nico O’Reilly is the next best at 2 clearances per match, which leaves Diouf ahead in dealing with immediate danger inside his defensive zone. Alongside this, his successful defensive actions are strong at 22.44 per match, placing 2nd out of 5, only slightly behind Lewis Hall’s 22.83. His successful defensive actions, % also rank 2nd out of 5 at 61.79%, just below Hall’s 62.34%.

Diouf’s best ranking parameters are interceptions, pass interceptions, and clearances, where he leads or sits near the top of the under-23 LB group. His profile is built on anticipation, defensive reading, and reliable clearance work, with strong supporting numbers in successful defensive actions and counterpressing recoveries. The main limitations are in opponent-half interceptions, dribbles against won, and shots blocked, which suggest less dominance in advanced pressing duels and box-facing defensive moments.

El Hadji Malick Diouf (‘04) (LB) – Senegal (West Ham United Performance)

Andreas Schjelderup (‘04) (LW) – Norway (Benfica Performance)

Andreas Schjelderup‘s CompaAI Parameters League Offensive report:

Schjelderup’s standout strength is his final-third threat and end product creation. He ranks 1st out of 15 for Expected goals (xG) with 0.26, Assists with 0.22, Expected assists with 0.22, and Shot assists with 1.33 per match. Compared with the next best players, he is ahead of William Gomes (0.19 xG) in xG, while matching or leading the assist and chance-creation metrics over Gianluca Prestianni, who follows him in assists and xA. This profile indicates a winger who is not only arriving in scoring zones but is also consistently involved in creating and completing attacks. His ball progression and 1v1 influence are elite in this sample. Schjelderup ranks 1st out of 15 for Successful dribbles with 2.93, Dribbling in the final third with 4.67, Successful dribbling in the final third with 2.78, Progressive runs with 4.04, Offensive actions with 34.56, Successful offensive actions with 24.04, and Successful offensive actions, % with 69.56. He also ranks 2nd out of 15 for Dribbles with 4.96, behind Oskar Pietuszewski (5.19), and 3rd out of 15 for Successful dribbles, % with 58.96, behind Diogo Travassos (65.85) and Gianluca Prestianni (59.6).

Schjelderup’s best seasonal ranking parameters are clearly centered on chance creation, box presence, progressive dribbling, and offensive activity. He leads the under-23 LW group in xG, assists, xA, shot assists, shots, successful dribbles, dribbling in the final third, progressive runs, touches in box, offensive actions, and successful offensive actions, which paints the picture of a highly active and influential attacking winger. His main limitations are relative ball-carrying volume and shot accuracy consistency.

Andreas Schjelderup (‘04) (LW) – Norway (Benfica Performance)

Ali Jasim (‘04) (LW) – Iraq (Al Najma Performance)

Ali Jasim‘s CompaAI Parameters League Offensive report:

Ali Jasim’s clearest seasonal strength is direct goal threat. He ranks 1st out of 13 for goals average per match (0.21), ahead of Ângelo (0.18), and also leads the group in penalties average per match (0) and successful penalties average per match (0), both tied at the top with the benchmark values. In a wider attacking context, he also sits 2nd out of 13 for expected goals (0.16 xG), just behind Luciano Rodríguez (0.18). His ball-progression and 1v1 output are also among the strongest in the league. He ranks 2nd out of 13 in shots (1.84), shots on target (0.74), dribbles (5.00), successful dribbles (2.74), dribbling in the final third (3.95), and progressive runs (3.32). He is close to the leaders in each area, such as Marin Petkov (2.18 shots, 0.82 shots on target), Hammam Al-Hammami (5.04 dribbles, 4.42 final-third dribbles), Christopher Bonsu Baah (3.07 successful dribbles), and Ângelo (5 progressive runs).

Ali Jasim’s strongest seasonal indicators are his goals, xG, shots, dribbles, progressive runs, and final-third dribbling, all of which place him near the top of his peer group and point to a winger with clear attacking directness and high 1v1 value. The weaker side of his profile is his creative production, where assists, xA, shot assists, and involvement in scoring attacks sit in the lower half of the ranking table.

Ali Jasim (‘04) (LW) – Iraq (Al Najma Performance)