Youngest players from the last 5 editions of the World Cup

The 2018 World Cup in Russia has four teams left and the final week of the competition is upon us.

All the 23-man squads of the nations participating at the World Cup have done their nations, fans and themselves proud. Putting on an incredible display of heart, grit and fight, the World Cup has exceeded expectation and been one of the best tournaments in the history of the game.

A number of breakout stars have been found while some old fights have shown us they've still got a lot of fight in them while the youngster has dazzled again under the light. All in all the Russian World Cup has been a treat to watch.

The massive global reach of today’s game means young children around the world get a glimpse of it likes to compete at the highest stage. With next World Cup in Qatar and then North America, few kids watching today could play at the grandest stage of them all in four or eight years time.

Heading into the final week of the tournament we take a look back at the five youngster players in the last five editions of the FIFA World Cup.

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Femi Opabunmi (Nigeria) in 2002

Opabunmi during his playing days

Former Nigerian youth prodigy, Femi Opabunmi made a lot of headlines in 2001 during the U-17 World Championships as he displayed some fantastic performances, earning himself a national team call-up.

With a lot of people taking notice, Opabunmi was selected for the country's World Cup squad and made his debut at the age of 17 years, 3 months, and 9 days in a game against England in Osaka.

The game ended 0-0 although Opabunmi was never called up to the national team set-up thereafter. He made only 3 appearances for his country and retired from the sport after a gruesome eye injury cut short his career.

He began his career in France in 2001 and then moved to Greece and Isreal for short stint and called time on his career after 5 years at the age of 23. Opabunmi was a left winger who showcased some superb displays as a youngster although could never display his skill at his best due to his injury.

Theo Walcott (England) in 2006

Everton Players Return for Pre-Season Training

12 years ago in Germany, on 8 May 2006, Walcott was surprisingly named in England's squad by manager Sven-Göran Eriksson's for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Despite having only made 13 appearances in senior football and making none since joining Arsenal but Eriksson defended his decision, claiming that the experience would serve Walcott well for future tournaments.

Walcott did not play in Germany in 2006, however, he was an integral member of the England side for a number of years during his Arsenal years. Walcott moved to Everton from the Gunners to gain more playing time and needed a change in environment, to avoid stagnation.

Walcott was not selected by Gareth Southgate for this current edition and has never been selected for a World Cup competition since 2006.

Christian Eriksen (Denmark) in 2010

Eriksen was gutted as Demark crashed out to Croatia on penalties

Christian Eriksen made his Danish debut in a friendly match against Austria in March 2010 to become Denmark's fourth youngest full international. A couple of months later in May 2010, Denmark coach Morten Olsen announced that Eriksen would be part of the final squad of 23 man squad participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

During this time Eriksen was playing for Ajax in Eredivisie and was the youngest player participating in the tournament. At the World Cup, Eriksen played two matches, against the Netherlands and Japan, but Denmark were unable to progress beyond the group stage.

Currently, at Spurs and after another World Cup for Eriksen, he will look back at the Danish game against Croatia and think what if. However, still young, Eriksen and the Danes will be back four years later competing for another shot the crown.

Fabrice Olinga (Cameroon) 2014 Brazil

Olinga in action during a training session for Cameroon

Cameroon international and former Malaga player, Fabrice Olinga, in 2012, was called up to the Cameroon national team for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Cape Verde. Scoring on his debut and impressing the manager, he was selected by Volker Finke for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.

Then, at the age of 18, Odinga was the youngest player at the competition. However, he did not get a chance to showcase his skills remaining an unused substitute, as Cameroon were knocked in the group stages.

Currently plying his trade in Belgium for Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz, the striker has made 12 appearances for Cameroon. The 22-year-old is still a young prospect and could develop in the coming years.

Daniel Arzani (Australia) in 2018

Arzani in action at the World Cup

Australian winger, Daniel Arzani was the youngest player at this year's World Cup. At 19 years, the teenager is only 15 days younger than Mbappe and is widely considered to be a promising prospect for the Socceroos.

The Socceroos manager Bert van Marwijk picked him in the squad for the World Cup after judging the winger on his season with the A-League side Melbourne City. Despite bagging just 2 goals and 3 assists to his name in the league. Arzani did play for Australia in the World Cup but lacks the end product and must work on his all-around game.

Arzani made his senior team debut for Australia in the team's 4-0 win against the Czech Republic before the start of the World Cup, coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute of the game. Still very young and with experience coming along the way he could be a vital player for the Socceroos despite their early exit this time out.