Footballers are getting younger

2025-12-05

Across the world, footballers are hoping to be picked for their national team to play at FIFA World Cup 2026, but in Europe's top leagues, teams are picking younger players. In the Premier League this season, just over half of players are 25 and under. The average age of footballers starting matches is now 26 years and 217 days, the youngest in Premier League history.Being a young footballer is nothing new. But the amount of young footballers is rising. For some, like Arsenal’s Max Dowman, they a...

Across the world, footballers are hoping to be picked for their national team to play at FIFA World Cup 2026, but in Europe's top leagues, teams are picking younger players.

In the Premier League this season, just over half of players are 25 and under. The average age of footballers starting matches is now 26 years and 217 days, the youngest in Premier League history.

Being a young footballer is nothing new. But the amount of young footballers is rising. For some, like Arsenal’s Max Dowman, they are setting records. He’s the youngest Champions League player ever, debuting this season at 15-years-old.

So why is football getting younger? BBC Sport reporter Jonty Colman gets into the game, the pressures, and why clubs are chasing down young talent.

We also hear from Chifundo Mbofana, a young semi-professional footballer in Malawi, who explains how young players can inspire others.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Imogen James, Mora Morrison and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

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