Finding the best obscure nations to scout for Wonderkids in Football Manager

We all know the classic wonderkid hotspots in Football Manager—Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, etc. The usual suspects. But what if you want to find a star beyond those standard destinations? There’s something uniquely satisfying about unearthing a wonderkid from a so-called “obscure” nation. It just hits differently, doesn’t it?

Hunting for Wonderkids in Football Manager

We’ve already listed unknown wonderkids and even chatted with IRL strikers about their favourite picks, but this time we went on a deep dive to uncover which lesser-heralded countries produce a surprising number of wonderkids. This research involved trawling the internet, analyzing Football Manager metrics, and leaning on my personal experiences. These nations might not be obscure in the grander sense of their importance globally, but they are considered obscure in football terms because they lack representation from top-tier clubs competing on the world stage.

For instance, Scottish fans might not consider Celtic and Rangers “obscure,” but given the absence of a truly elite Scottish team for decades, I’m including them on this list. Let’s dive in.

Nigeria

Describing Nigeria as obscure feels almost wrong. The nation has a population of over 220 million and is absolutely football mad. But in Football Manager terms? Obscure. Nigeria isn’t even in the base game. Yet, when it comes to African nations, Nigeria stands out as a wonderkid goldmine (perhaps rivaled only by Egypt).

With a three star Youth Rating—the same as Belgium’s—you’re looking at a wonderkid haven. And let’s be real, we all know Belgium is top-tier for youth talent. The best part? Nigerian players are ridiculously cheap. Thanks to the league’s low wages, it’s easy to tempt their budding stars to your club for peanuts. If you’re looking for affordable future superstars, Nigeria is a no-brainer

Egypt

Speaking of Africa’s finest, Egypt takes the crown with the continent’s highest Youth Rating: a stellar three and a half star Youth Rating which is the same level as Argentina and Portugal! , on par with Argentina and Portugal. In FM23, Egypt ranked 10th in youth rating worldwide, making it the only African nation to crack that list.

And it makes sense. Egypt has produced bona fide superstars like Mo Salah and rising talents like Omar Marmoush. While the Egyptian league has a higher reputation than Nigeria’s, the players are still absolute bargains compared to their European counterparts. If you’re scouting Africa, don’t sleep on Egypt.

South Africa

This one’s more personal anecdote than hard data, but South Africa never fails me in Football Manager. In every save, there’s always one South African wonderkid who goes on to become the nation’s greatest player of all time.

The NXGN top wonderkids list frequently includes a South African gem—usually from Sundowns. And since South Africa is part of the base game, you’ll find more players available compared to countries not included. For managers on a tight budget who want an under-the-radar star, South Africa is a great shout.

Iran

When it comes to the Middle East, Iran reigns supreme for producing wonderkids. While nations like Serbia often get more attention, Iran quietly edges ahead with a Youth Rating of 110 compared to Serbia’s 100. Surprised? You’re not alone.

This highlights a common bias in FM—we assume certain countries are better than they really are. In real life, Iran’s best player might be Mehdi Taremi (no offense, Mehdi), but in-game, Iran has the potential to produce some serious talent. Don’t overlook them.

Japan

If you’re scouting Asia and want a hidden gem, Japan is the place to go. The nation boasts a Youth Rating of 112, putting it just shy of football’s traditional powerhouses.

A good rule of thumb? Copy Brighton. Their scouting system unearthed the exceptional Kaoru Mitoma, and Japan has continued to produce stars like Daichi Kamada and Ao Tanaka. Their players are technically brilliant, affordable, and perfect for building your next dynasty.

Colombia

Labeling Colombia as obscure might raise a few eyebrows. But when people talk about scouting South America, the spotlight is usually on Argentina and Brazil. Colombia often gets overlooked.

With a strong Youth Rating and solid reputation, Colombia punches well above its weight in terms of wonderkid production. Make sure you’re scouting Atletico Nacional and the Colombian youth teams—before clubs like Chelsea swoop in and steal your gems.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic might sit in the shadow of its neighbors—Germany and Italy—when it comes to youth development, but don’t let that fool you. The Czech league is a hidden gem for wonderkids.

Teams like Sparta Praha, Slavia Praha, and Banik Ostrava regularly produce high-potential players who can thrive at the top level. And thanks to the league’s lower reputation, these players are much cheaper than their counterparts in neighbouring countries.

Other obscure nations to keep an eye on

While these may be the best obscure nations to scout your wonderkids from, there’s a lot more to keep an eye on. There’s always the possibility of finding a killer wonderkid in Football Manager, so keep an eye on these additional nations:

• Scotland
• Algeria
• USA
• Ivory Coast
• Turkey
• Greece
• South Korea
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Qatar
• DR Congo

Conclusion

This list was so hard to narrow down and make as there are so many lesser-thought of countries that are brilliant for getting hidden gems and undervalued players. Are there any I’ve missed that you think I should include? Let me know in the comment section!