We continue our series on players who once participated in the Otten (Innovation) Cup and are now competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While the first part focused primarily on former PSV talents, this edition shines a spotlight on players from other clubs who appeared at De Herdgang before making their breakthrough on the international stage.
Luckassen, Mbemba, Lienhart and Chong
Future World Cup players were not only found in PSV squads. During the 2012 edition, AZ featured the then 17-year-old Derrick Luckassen. The defender later established himself in professional football and currently plays for Cypriot side Pafos FC, with whom he competed in the UEFA Champions League last season. Shortly before the start of the World Cup, he received a late call-up to Ghana’s squad, earning his place on football’s biggest stage.
That same year, Chancel Mbemba represented RSC Anderlecht at De Herdgang. The Congolese defender went on to become one of the most experienced internationals of his generation. After spells with Newcastle United, FC Porto and Olympique Marseille, he now plays for OSC Lille. At the time of writing, he has amassed an impressive 77 international appearances for DR Congo.
Chancel Mbemba
The 2013 edition marked a special anniversary tournament, with PSV inviting all of its European opponents from the club’s legendary 1987/88 European Cup-winning campaign. One of those clubs was Rapid Wien, whose squad included a young Philipp Lienhart. After developing through Real Madrid’s youth and reserve teams, the Austrian defender eventually joined SC Freiburg, where he has been a key player since 2018. He has also become a regular for Austria, earning 42 international caps so far.
In 2016, Manchester United forward Tahith Chong was named Best Attacker of the Tournament. At the time, he was regarded as a highly dynamic player and one of the driving forces behind Manchester United's attacking play. Chong made his professional debut for Manchester United in 2019. Following spells with Birmingham City and Luton Town, among others, he signed for Sheffield United in 2025, where he currently plays in the Championship. He made his debut for Curaçao in 2025 and subsequently earned a place in the country's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tahith Chong
Anderlecht talents on the road to the World Cup
RSC Anderlecht was a regular participant in the Otten Cup for many years and produced several players who have since reached the highest level of the game.
In 2014, a 16-year-old Dodi Lukébakio appeared at De Herdgang. The pacey attacker would later face PSV twice in the UEFA Champions League while playing for Sevilla. After spells in four of Europe’s five major leagues, he eventually joined Benfica. For Belgium, Lukébakio has earned 30 caps and scored six international goals.
Dodi Lukébakio
Another graduate of Anderlecht’s renowned academy is Hannes Delcroix. The defender participated in the Otten Cup in 2015, 2016 and 2017. During his first appearance, he immediately found the net against PSV. A year later, Anderlecht lifted the 70th Otten Cup trophy after defeating Manchester United on penalties in the final. In January 2026, Delcroix moved from Burnley to FC Lugano. Internationally, he made his debut for Belgium in 2020, but since 2025 he has represented the Haiti national team.
Hannes Delcroix
In 2017, Delcroix shared the pitch with midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers. After breaking into Anderlecht’s first team, Saelemaekers completed a move to AC Milan in 2020. The creative midfielder has since earned 24 caps for Belgium.
Alongside PSV’s talented youngsters in 2019, Anderlecht also brought a future star to Eindhoven. Zeno Debast delivered a solid tournament in defence despite not yet having turned 16. Less than two years later, he made his first-team debut at the age of 17. In 2024, he completed a move to Sporting CP. Since making his international debut in 2022, Debast has already earned 26 caps for Belgium.
From De Herdgang to the World Cup in record time
The most recent examples perhaps best illustrate just how quickly young talents can rise through the ranks.
At the 2023 Otten Innovation Cup, Rangers FC arrived in Eindhoven with a very young squad. The tournament proved challenging for the Scottish side, but one of their players has since made remarkable progress. Findlay Curtis celebrated his twentieth birthday only last week, yet he is already representing Scotland at the World Cup. The winger scored in one of his first four international appearances, fittingly against Curaçao in a World Cup warm-up match.
Tyler Fletcher is another player whose rise has been equally impressive. The midfielder participated in both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Otten Innovation Cup with Manchester United. Earlier this year, he made his debut for the club’s first team and has already earned two caps for Scotland. During the 2024 tournament, Fletcher also showcased his eye for goal by scoring twice.
Tyler Fletcher
Tyler is not the only Fletcher making headlines. His twin brother, Jack Fletcher, has also made his first-team debut for Manchester United, although he is still awaiting his first senior international call-up. Their father, Darren Fletcher, represented Scotland no fewer than 81 times between 2003 and 2017.
Less than two years ago, these players were competing at De Herdgang. Today, they are appearing at the World Cup. It is yet another reminder of how quickly young talent can develop. In the third and final part of this series, we will look back at several more big names who once featured at the Otten (Innovation) Cup before establishing themselves on football’s biggest stage.