Pelé is the youngest player to win the FIFA World Cup. He was 17 years and 249 days old when Brazil won the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. The Brazilian legend also became the youngest player to score at the tournament, the youngest player to score a hat-trick, and the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.
More than six decades later, no player has broken Pelé’s record. France forward Kylian Mbappé came closest in modern football after helping France win the 2018 FIFA World Cup at 19 years of age.
Who Is The Youngest Player To Win The FIFA World Cup?
Pelé became the youngest FIFA World Cup winner on 29 June 1958 after Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 in the final at Rasunda Stadium.
The Santos teenager missed Brazil’s opening two group matches with a knee injury before making his debut against the Soviet Union. He then scored against Wales in the quarter-finals, netted a hat-trick against France in the semi-finals and added two goals in the final.
Pelé finished the tournament with six goals in six appearances, helping Brazil win the World Cup for the first time.
Youngest Players To Win The FIFA World Cup
Only three teenagers have won the FIFA World Cup.
| Rank | Player | Country | Tournament | Age |
| 1 | Pelé | Brazil | 1958 | 17 years, 249 days |
| 2 | Giuseppe Bergomi | Italy | 1982 | 18 years, 201 days |
| 3 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 2018 | 19 years, 207 days |
Pelé remains the only player to win the FIFA World Cup before turning 18.
How Old Was Pelé When He Won The World Cup?
Pelé was 17 years and 249 days old when Brazil defeated Sweden in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final.
During the tournament he set several records that still stand today.
- Youngest FIFA World Cup winner
- Youngest player to score at a FIFA World Cup
- Youngest player to score a World Cup hat-trick
- Youngest player to score in a FIFA World Cup final
These achievements remain among the most famous records in football history.
Pelé’s 1958 FIFA World Cup Statistics
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
| FIFA World Cup 1958 | 6 | 6 |
Pelé missed Brazil’s first two group matches before appearing in every remaining game.
Pelé’s Route To World Cup Glory
Pelé returned from injury for Brazil’s final group match against the Soviet Union.
He scored the winning goal against Wales in the quarter-finals before producing one of the greatest individual performances in World Cup history with a hat-trick against France in the semi-finals.
The teenager then scored twice in the final as Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 to win their first FIFA World Cup.
Youngest World Cup Winners In Football History
Pelé (Brazil)
Pelé remains the youngest footballer ever to win the FIFA World Cup. His performances in Sweden transformed him into one of the biggest stars in world football before his 18th birthday.
Giuseppe Bergomi (Italy)
Giuseppe Bergomi won the 1982 FIFA World Cup at 18 years and 201 days. The defender played every knockout match as Italy defeated West Germany in the final.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Kylian Mbappé became the youngest World Cup winner since Pelé after France lifted the trophy in Russia in 2018.
He scored four goals during the tournament, including one in the final against Croatia. Mbappé became only the second teenager after Pelé to score in a FIFA World Cup final.
Youngest Players To Play At The FIFA World Cup
Winning the World Cup as a teenager is rare, but several players have appeared at the tournament before their 18th birthday.
| Player | Country | Tournament | Age |
| Norman Whiteside | Northern Ireland | 1982 | 17 years, 41 days |
| Samuel Eto’o | Cameroon | 1998 | 17 years, 98 days |
| Femi Opabunmi | Nigeria | 2002 | 17 years, 100 days |
| Bartholomew Ogbeche | Nigeria | 2002 | 17 years, 184 days |
| Salomon Olembé | Cameroon | 1998 | 17 years, 184 days |
| Pelé | Brazil | 1958 | 17 years, 234 days |
Youngest Players To Score At The FIFA World Cup
| Rank | Player | Country | Age |
| 1 | Pelé | Brazil | 17 years, 239 days |
| 2 | Manuel Rosas | Mexico | 18 years, 93 days |
| 3 | Michael Owen | England | 18 years, 190 days |
| 4 | Dmitri Sychev | Russia | 18 years, 231 days |
| 5 | Kylian Mbappé | France | 19 years, 183 days |
Pelé remains the youngest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Can Lamine Yamal Break Pelé’s World Cup Record?
No. Lamine Yamal cannot break Pelé’s record as the youngest player to win the FIFA World Cup.
Lamine Yamal was born on 13 July 2007 and became a FIFA World Cup winner with Spain in 2026 at the age of 19 years and six days. The Barcelona forward lifted the trophy after Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on 19 July 2026.
Yamal’s achievement placed him among the youngest players to win the World Cup in modern football history. However, he did not surpass Pelé’s record. The Brazil legend remains the youngest player to win the FIFA World Cup after helping Brazil claim the 1958 title at 17 years and 249 days.
By the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Yamal will be 22 years old, meaning he cannot become the youngest World Cup winner. At the 2026 tournament, he became one of the youngest players to lift football’s biggest international trophy and added his name to World Cup history.
Why Has Pelé’s Record Lasted So Long?
Several factors explain why the record remains intact.
- National teams rarely select 17-year-old players.
- Teenage players seldom become regular starters at World Cups.
- World Cup-winning teams usually rely on experienced squads.
- Only three teenagers have won the FIFA World Cup.
These factors have made Pelé’s achievement one of football’s hardest records to break.
Youngest FIFA World Cup Winner By Continent
| Continent | Youngest winner |
| South America | Pelé (Brazil) – 17 years, 249 days |
| Europe | Giuseppe Bergomi (Italy) – 18 years, 201 days |
| Africa | No winner |
| Asia | No winner |
| North America | No winner |
| Oceania | No winner |
Frequently Asked Questions About The Youngest Player To Win The FIFA World Cup
Who is the youngest player to win the FIFA World Cup?
Pelé holds the record after winning the 1958 FIFA World Cup with Brazil at 17 years and 249 days.
Has anyone broken Pelé’s World Cup record?
No. Pelé remains the youngest FIFA World Cup winner.
Who is the youngest player to score in a FIFA World Cup final?
Pelé scored twice in the 1958 FIFA World Cup final at the age of 17 years and 249 days.
Who is the youngest player to score at a FIFA World Cup?
Pelé scored against Wales at 17 years and 239 days.
Is Kylian Mbappé one of the youngest World Cup winners?
Yes. Mbappé won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France at 19 years and 207 days, making him the third-youngest winner in history.
Has Nigeria ever produced a World Cup winner?
No. Nigeria has never won the FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles’ best performances came with Round of 16 finishes in 1994, 1998 and 2014.
