Best wonderkids from ‘obscure’ nations on Football Manager 2024

Signing a wonderkid from a country that isn’t already a powerhouse in the world of football just hits different. We all know who the best wonderkids are from traditional countries, but nabbing an obscure striker who just can’t miss is one of the best feelings in all of Football Manager.

I’ll always prefer my striker that is banging in goals to be from San Marino over France. It just makes your save feel more unique and special. You might be the only person in the world that has an elite Mongolian player in their starting XI. After a few years save, when regens start coming into your save, it’ll be easy to find those obscure players.

What is a bit harder, is knowing what wonderkids from obscure nations are good, at the START of your save. We all know which Argentinians to buy, but what about if you want to go off the beaten path, nation wise? Well don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. If you follow this guide you’ll be able to make your squad look like a United Nations conference.

Suphanat Mueanta 🇹🇭

Country he’s from – Thailand

Team he plays for – Buriram United F.C.

Position – Striker

Tell me the best player you know from Thailand? That’s right you can’t. They have an incredible country, amazing beaches, beautiful food, but footballers… it’s slim pickings. Thankfully, they have one potentially brilliant striker in Suphanat who has the potential to play as a striker in the Premier League. Everyone loves a wonderkid striker and this could be the choice for you if you want to have a player from a nation you don’t usually see in elite football.

Malick Yalcouye 🇲🇱

Country he’s from – Mali

Team he plays for – Brighton

Position – Centre mid

Because Malick plays in the Premier League, he won’t be cheap. But at least you know that if you’re buying a player from Brighton, you’re getting assured quality. He’s been dubbed the ‘next Kante’ and his heroics in real life have taken Sturm Graz to the top of the Austrian Bundesliga. Add to that the fact he’s from a country that has never qualified for the World Cup. I’m sold.

Nestory Irankunda 🇦🇺

Country he’s from – Australia

Team he plays for – Bayern Munich II

Position – Winger or striker

Now I know what you’re thinking – you can’t suggest a player that plays for one of the big teams already. But you can still pick up these players for fairly cheap as the big teams are awful at using their young prospects unless they’re immediately elite. And if Bayern do decide to invest in him and make him one of their players long-term, you should still be able to get Nestory at the start of your save on loan at least. And he is very explosive.

Oscar Gloukh 🇮🇱

Country he’s from – Israel

Team he plays for – Red Bull Salzburg

Position – CAM

We all remember Yossi Benayoun, but it’s been a while since Israel have had another player of that quality, or made a major splash in international football. However, they’ve got a few players who are currently doing well. Manor Solomon is doing brilliantly for Leeds United, and Oscar Gloukh is another top talent coming through. We all obviously dislike Red Bull Salzburg as well, so it’s a chance to take one of their best talents.

Anas Al-Dahan 🇸🇾

Country he’s from – Syria

Team he plays for – Al Ahli (Syria)

Position – Right winger

This tricky winger has about the same potential as Amad Diallo and has the potential to be a Premier League player. Despite playing in Syria, a nation that has never traditionally had a great football league. Because of the team he plays for and how obscure Syria is in footballing terms, this could be the perfect winger to pick up if you’re on a budget.

Adamo Nagalo 🇧🇫

Country he’s from – Burkina Faso

Team he plays for – FC Nordsjaelland (he’s moved to PSV Eindhoven since the game released)

Position – Full back

Don’t worry, I’m making sure that every position is covered in this list. And for the latest player, we have a no-nonsense wing back from the landlocked nation of Burkina Faso. You know a player is going to be seriously good if they originally come through FC Nordsjaelland. Those guy don’t mess about when it comes to wonderkids. PSV have now picked him up in real life and so the obvious next place after this is the Premier League. He could be a bargain pick up if you’re a bottom half Premier League team.

Vasilije Adzic 🇲🇪

Country he’s from – Montenegro

Team he plays for – Juventus Next Gen

Position – Attacking mid

Another bargain on Football Manager – from a country that is traditionally very obscure when it comes to football. Even if you look for him after he’s moved to Juventus in the game, he should be cheap. Every club in Serie A needs money and he plays for their ‘next gen’ team – which makes me think he’ll still be pretty cheap. Especially if you’re a Premier League team.

Final thoughts

Are there any wonderkids from obscure nations you think I’ve missed? Any of these players you’ve tried and think are top quality? Let me know in the comment section!