On the 4th of November 2025, Sports Interactive released Football Manager 26 (FM26), a landmark edition, as it is the first FM game to fully integrate women’s football. Originally planned for 2024 before being pushed to 2025, the update introduces 14 women’s leagues, including the NWSL, WSL, and the Women’s Champions League, finally giving players the long-awaited opportunity to manage the women’s game in depth.
Below is a curated list of some of the most exciting women’s wonderkids across each position, young talents who are worth snapping up for long-term success.
GOALKEEPERS
Cecilia Rúnarsdóttir (21) – Inter Milan – £475–600k
Rúnarsdóttir is one of the most impressive young goalkeepers in FM26, combining natural shot-stopping ability with composure well beyond her years. An established Icelandic international with 23 caps, she reads the game superbly, commands her area with confidence, and performs consistently in high-pressure moments. Her blend of experience, potential, and technical growth makes her an outstanding long-term option for any ambitious side.
Ena Mahmutovic (21) – Bayern Munich – £600–900k
Mahmutovic emerges as a top-tier prospect thanks to her excellent reflexes, strong aerial presence, and maturity in possession. Playing for a club of Bayern Munich’s stature helps shape her into a goalkeeper capable of anchoring elite defences, and her development trajectory in FM26 is consistently strong. With the right coaching environment, she transforms into a dependable, high-calibre No. 1.
Alberte Vingum Andersen (20) – Denmark – £7–50k
Andersen is a superb budget-friendly goalkeeper who offers remarkable value for money. Despite her young age, she already has senior international experience, and her agility, bravery, and rapid improvement make her perfectly suited for clubs looking to develop a long-term shot-stopping talent. Given her low starting cost and high ceiling, she’s one of the smartest early-game signings available.
FULL BACKS
Gisele Thompson (19) – Angel City – £1.2–1.8m
Thompson is one of the most complete young full backs in FM26, offering a rare blend of pace, defensive maturity, and high-level athleticism. Equally comfortable on either flank, she drives forward with confidence while showing impressive awareness out of possession. Her versatility and modern full-back skill set allow her to excel in possession-based or transition-focused systems, making her a top-tier long-term signing.
Smilia Holmberg (18) – Sweden – £150–230k
Holmberg is an exciting young right back whose rapid rise is reflected in her outstanding physical profile and sharp defensive instincts. She closes space quickly, recovers well in defensive transitions, and offers strong overlapping runs in the final third. Her affordability combined with her long-term ceiling makes her one of Scandinavia’s standout emerging defenders in FM26.
Franziska Kett (20) – Bayern Munich – £450–650k
Kett is a technically assured and tactically intelligent full back capable of operating on either side of the defence. Her composure in possession, strong crossing ability, and disciplined defensive positioning give her a well-rounded profile suited to top-level football. In FM26, she develops into a reliable, adaptable full back who fits seamlessly into a variety of tactical setups.
CENTRE-BACK
Trinity Armstrong (17) – San Diego Wave – £6m
Armstrong is one of the most physically impressive teenage defenders in FM26. Her athleticism, strength, and aerial dominance stand out immediately, and she complements that with strong anticipation and recovery pace. With time and good coaching, she develops into a commanding centre-back capable of anchoring even elite defences.
Jordyn Bugg (19) – Seattle Reign – £900k–2.7m
A highly promising young American defender, Jordyn Nishai Bugg already has professional and international experience despite her age. Having signed with Seattle Reign at just 17, she combines athleticism, composure, and strong defensive instincts. Her reading of the game and physical presence allows her to excel in both high-line and traditional defensive systems, making her one of the standout centre-back prospects in FM26.
Veerle Buurman (19) – Chelsea – £1m
Buurman is a technically assured Dutch centre-back with excellent ball-playing qualities. Comfortable stepping into midfield or operating in possession-heavy systems, she offers calm distribution, good anticipation, and impressive positional discipline. With regular minutes, she develops into a reliable and intelligent defensive leader.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Momoko Tanikawa (20) – Bayern Munich – £600k–1.5m
Tanikawa is one of the most polished young defensive midfielders in FM26, offering superb composure on the ball and a natural ability to dictate the tempo of a match. Her vision and passing range allow her to control transitions, while her tactical intelligence ensures she’s always positioned to break up play. With her blend of technique, awareness, and elite potential, she develops into a midfield anchor capable of elevating any top-level side.
Eva Schatzer (20) – Juventus – £400k–1.3m
Schatzer is a dynamic young midfielder who excels in both defensive and possession-heavy systems. She covers ground efficiently, reads danger early, and shows impressive calmness under pressure. Her tidy distribution and reliable defensive work rate make her an excellent option for managers seeking a disciplined holding midfielder who can also contribute to building attacks. Across multiple seasons, she becomes a steady, influential presence at the base of midfield.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
Alara Şehitler (18) – Bayern Munich – £650k–1.3m
Şehitler is one of the brightest young midfield talents in FM26, combining technical sharpness with impressive maturity for her age. Comfortable operating as a deep-lying playmaker or a more advanced central midfielder, she possesses excellent ball control, vision, and balance. Her adaptability and rapid development make her a superb long-term investment who grows into a sophisticated, well-rounded midfielder.
Wieke Kaptein (19) – Chelsea – £1–1.3m
Kaptein is a highly intelligent and composed midfielder who excels in possession-based systems. Her awareness, passing accuracy, and calmness under pressure allow her to dictate play effortlessly from central areas. Already showing leadership qualities and tactical discipline, she develops into a commanding presence who can control matches at the highest level.
Olivia Moultrie (19) – Portland Thorns – £1.5m
Moultrie is an attacking-minded central midfielder with exceptional creativity and final-third vision. She thrives when given license to roam, linking play, driving forward, and unlocking defences with incisive passing. Her technical quality and natural confidence make her one of the most exciting midfield prospects in FM26, capable of becoming a key playmaker for any ambitious side.
Lily Yohannes (18) – Olympique Lyonnais – £500k–1.2m
A talented young central midfielder, Yohannes combines technical ability, vision, and composure on the ball. At just 18, she already demonstrates the capacity to control play, distribute effectively, and contribute both defensively and offensively, making her a promising long-term midfield prospect in FM26.
WINGERS / ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Olivia Smith (20) – Arsenal – £3m
One of the most exciting young wide players in FM26, Smith brings explosive acceleration, sharp off-the-ball movement, and a natural eye for goal. Whether cutting inside or staying wide, she offers end product and rapid development potential.
Alyssa Thompson (20) – Chelsea – £3m
A direct, high-tempo winger who thrives in one-on-one situations. Thompson’s pace, agility, and confidence on the ball make her a dangerous outlet on either flank, and she grows into a top-level attacker with regular minutes.
Melchie Dumornay (21) – Lyon – £3m
Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, winger, or even striker, Dumornay is one of the most complete young attacking talents in the game. Her combination of creativity, dribbling, and clinical finishing gives her superstar potential across multiple roles.
Linda Caicedo (20) – Real Madrid – £2m
A naturally gifted wide player with elite flair and acceleration. Caicedo can glide past defenders with ease and becomes one of the most productive wingers in FM26, providing goals, assists, and relentless threat from the left or right.
Salma Paralluelo (21) – Barcelona – £2–3m
One of the most explosive young attackers in FM26, Paralluelo combines elite pace, strength, and a powerful left foot, making her a constant threat cutting in from the wing. Already a star for both club and country in real life, she brings a rare blend of athleticism and technical quality that translates brilliantly in-game. With her ability to score, create, and dominate transitions, she rapidly becomes one of the most complete wide forwards you can sign.
Vicky López (18) – Barcelona – £800k–1.2m
One of the brightest young attacking talents in FM26, López is a winger with exceptional dribbling, pace, and creativity. Her ability to take on defenders and create chances makes her a constant threat down the flank, and she has the potential to develop into one of the most complete wide attackers in the game.
Madeline Dahlien (20) – Seattle Reign – £1.3m
A talented young winger, Dahlien provides pace, dribbling, and attacking support. She is ideal for managers seeking a high-potential wide attacker.
STRIKERS
Felicia Schröder (18) – BK Häcken – £200k–1.2m
A young striker with impressive movement and finishing ability, Schröder is quick, agile, and capable of making decisive runs behind the defense. At 18, she has excellent potential to develop into a clinical forward in FM26.
Aggie Beever-Jones (21) – Chelsea – £650k–1.8m
Beever-Jones is a versatile forward with a strong physical presence and good technical ability. She can hold up play, link with teammates, and finish chances efficiently, making her a reliable attacking option.
Louna Ribadeira (20) – Chelsea – £900k–1.2m
Ribadeira combines intelligent movement with sharp finishing skills. At 20, she is already technically proficient and capable of contributing goals regularly, with potential to grow into a top-tier striker.
Michelle Agyemang (19) – Arsenal – £500k–1.2m
A dynamic young forward, Agyemang offers pace, dribbling, and composure in front of goal. Her ability to create and finish chances makes her one of the most promising attacking talents in FM26.
