Soccer (Football)
Top young women’s soccer players
Top young women’s soccer players to watch, featuring rising stars from the NWSL and Europe who are already making an impact in professional and international soccer.
The next generation of women’s soccer stars isn't just on the way—they’re already here, and they’re taking over. We’re seeing a massive shift in the sport where teenage standouts are breaking into the NWSL and European leagues earlier than ever, playing with a level of confidence that usually takes a decade to build.
As Jaedyn Shaw said in an interview, “I knew that I really wanted to be on this [USWNT] team, and that I was going to do whatever I could off the field, on the field to get to this point.” That competitive mindset reflects a broader shift in the sport, where young players are stepping into the spotlight with confidence and proving themselves early.
Rather than a ranked list, this guide focuses on the most exciting young women’s soccer players to watch. These aren't just prospects; they are the young soccer players shaping the future of the game right now.
01
Top young Women’s soccer players in the NWSL
Olivia Moultrie
Olivia Moultrie
© Richard Gordon / Red Bull Content Pool
Olivia Moultrie has quickly become one of the most recognizable young talents in women’s soccer. She is no longer just the "youngest player to sign a pro contract" - she’s a cornerstone of the Portland Thorns and a rising star for the USWNT. She has spent five years proving that age is just a number when you have world-class technical ability and vision.
Now competing regularly at a high level, Moultrie continues to develop her game and gain valuable experience against top competition. Her technical ability and composure in midfield make her a key player to watch as she grows into a larger role.
- Birthday: September 17, 2005
- Club: Portland Thorns
- Country: United States
- Position: Midfielder
- Major honors:2023 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and the youngest player to reach 20 career goals in the NWSL.
Jaedyn Shaw
Jaedyn Shaw
© Jared Martinez / Red Bull Content Pool
Jaedyn Shaw has quickly become one of the most exciting attacking players in the NWSL. Her creativity, movement in the final third, and goal-scoring instincts make her a constant threat to defenders. She has transitioned from a teenage phenom into a cornerstone of the USWNT and one of the NWSL’s most high-value assets.
Shaw made league history in late 2025 when she joined Gotham FC from the Courage in an unprecedented $1.25 million deal, shattering the previous NWSL record for an internal transfer. She quickly helped lead Gotham FC to a 2025 NWSL Championship, proving that where she goes, winning follows.
- Birthday: November 20, 2004
- Club: Gotham FC
- Country: United States
- Position: Forward
- Major honors: 2025 NWSL Champion (with Gotham FC) and winner of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup Golden Ball.
Alyssa Thompson
Alyssa Thompson is known for her elite pace and direct attacking style. She has shifted from being the NWSL’s most hyped draft pick to a global sensation. While she first made moves as the hometown hero for Angel City FC, Thompson made a high-profile jump to Chelsea FC in September 2025. She is proving that her world-class velocity translates perfectly to the physical, fast-paced nature of European soccer.
Thompson has already notched more than 7 goals across all competitions for Chelsea, becoming a vital part of their attacking rotation. Her speed in transition and ability to take on defenders one-on-one make her a constant threat on the wing. As she continues to develop her final product, her overall impact in matches is expected to grow significantly.
- Birthday: November 7, 2004
- Club: Chelsea FC Women
- Country: United States
- Position: Forward
- Major honors:2026 SheBelieves Cup MVP and the first player to be named London Football Awards Young Player of the Year while playing for Chelsea.
Claire Hutton
Claire Hutton is one of the most promising young midfielders emerging in the NWSL. She is beginning to earn recognition for her work rate, ball progression, and tactical awareness. After a massive breakout with the Kansas City Current, Hutton had the second-largest intra-league transfer in NWSL history with a $1.1 million trade to Bay FC.
She has quickly become a pillar of the UWSNT’s new era under Emma Hayes. In January 2026, Hutton etched her name into the record books by becoming the youngest player ever to captain the UWSNT during a friendly against Chile. Her ability to anchor a midfield while providing elite ball progression has made her one of the most respected players on the field.
- Birthday: January 11, 2006
- Club: Bay FC
- Country: United States
- Position: Midfielder
- Major honors: 2025 NWSL Best XI First Team and the youngest captain in USWNT history.
02
Best young Women’s soccer players in Europe
Lily Yohannes
Lily Yohannes is one of the most exciting young midfield talents in world soccer. While many young prospects her age are just beginning their college careers, Yohannes is already pulling the string for Olympique Lyonnais (OL Lyon), one of the most successful clubs in women’s soccer history. After a transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2025, she has spent 2026 proving that her elite vision and tactical IQ belong on the world’s biggest stages.
She holds the record as one of the youngest players to start a UEFA Women’s Champions League match. In April 2026, Yohannes played a pivotal role in helping Lyon secure a spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals, showcasing a level of composure that typically takes a decade to develop. For USWNT fans, she represents the future of the American midfield as a player who combines European technicality with world-class athleticism.
- Birthday: June 12, 2007
- Club: OL Lyon
- Country: United States
- Position: Midfielder
- Major honors: 2023-24 Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year and the youngest player to ever start a match in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Linda Caicedo
Linda Caicedo has already proven herself on the global stage with standout performances for Colombia in major international tournaments. She has been a world-class presence since she was 14. Now, the Real Madrid forward is a central figure of Colombian soccer and a focal point for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Her journey is nothing short of legendary. She overcame a cancer diagnosis at 15 and returned to the pitch to lead her country across three different World Cups in a single year.
She has fully transitioned into an elite European star. She’s received the prestigious EFE Award for Best Ibero-American Player of 2025, recognizing her as the top talent from Latin America playing in Spain. Her close control, creativity and confidence under pressure make her a standout in elite competition. She continues to develop into one of the most dangerous attacking talents in women’s soccer.
- Birthday: February 22, 2005
- Club: Real Madrid
- Country: Colombia
- Position: Forward
- Major honors: 2025 EFE Award for Best Ibero-American Player and 2022 Copa América Femenina Golden Ball.
Vicky López
Vicky López is one of the best young players you can have on your team. The FC Barcelona sensation is becoming the creative heartbeat of both her club and the Spain national team. After a historic 2025 campaign where she helped Barcelona secure another UEFA Women’s Champions League title, López was awarded the 2025 Kopa Trophy, officially recognizing her as the world’s top young women soccer player.
She has seamlessly stepped into the roles once held exclusively by icons like Aitana Bonmatí. Her 2025/2026 season has been a masterclass in efficiency, racking up 10 goals and 9 assists across all competitions. Her intelligence on the ball, technical skill and ability to operate in tight spaces make her a natural fit for Barcelona’s style of play. López is widely viewed as a future cornerstone for both club and country.
- Birthday: July 26, 2006
- Club: FC Barcelona
- Country: Spain
- Position: Midfielder
- Major honors: 2025 Women’s Kopa Trophy Winner, 2024 Golden Girl award and the 2022 U-17 World Cup Golden Ball.
Salma Paralluelo
Salma Paralluelo is already one of the most influential young forwards in women’s soccer. She’s a former elite track star who once held national records in the 400m hurdles; she has brought that same explosive athleticism to FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.
Paralluelo has achieved something no other player ever has – a Triple World Champion, having won the FIFA World Cup at the U-17, U-20 and the Senior levels. She helped Barcelona secure another Supercopa de España title in 2026 and maintained her status as one of the most feared left-footed attackers in Europe. Her pace, finishing ability, and attacking intelligence make her a major threat in every match she plays.
- Birthday: November 13, 2003
- Club: FC Barcelona
- Country: Spain
- Position: Forward
- Major honors: 2023 FIFA World Cup Young Player of the Tournament and the only player to win three different FIFA World Cups (U-17, U-20, Senior)
Vicki Bècho
Vicki Bècho has shed the “prospect” label and became a regular game-changer for Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon). She is already an integral part of the most successful club dynasty in women’s soccer. She is known for her terrifyingly excellent pace and ability to play anywhere across the front line.
After being the youngest member of France’s 2023 World Cup squad, Bècho has spent 2026 solidifying her place as the future of the Les Bleues attack. Her explosive moments off the ball has helped Lyon maintain their status as European heavyweights. Her speed, movement and attacking instincts make her a key player to watch.
- Birthday: October 3, 2003
- Club: Lyon
- Country: France
- Position: Forward
- Major honors: 2019 UEFA Women's Under-19 Champion and a multiple-time French Première Ligue winner with Lyon.
03
What’s next for the women’s game?
Jaedyn Shaw takes a shot in training
© Zorah Olivia/Red Bull Content Pool
Olivia Moultrie is a dynamic midfielder
© Richard Gordon / Red Bull Content Pool
The growth of women’s soccer is being driven by year-round competition and expanding global visibility. Fans will continue to see new talent emerge through major events like the Women's World Cup, the Olympics and UEFA Women’s Euro, where many rising players make their breakthrough.
At club level, the development of leagues such as the NWSL, Women’s Super League (WSL), Spain’s Liga F, and France’s Division 1 Féminine provides consistent opportunities to track player progression week to week. With broader streaming and broadcast access, following the women’s game has never been more accessible.
Whether a match is decided by a precise VAR review in the final minutes or pushed into the high-stakes drama of extra time and penalty shootouts, these players have proven they belong on the world's biggest stages.