Da’vian Kimbrough Mexico Under-17 World Cup selection, Digi Mart USA News: Da’vian Kimbrough, a 16-year-old Mexican-American striker who has set early scoring records in North American soccer, has decided to represent the Mexican national team at the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar. Born on February 18, 2010, in Woodland, California, he holds dual nationality through his Mexican-American mother and African-American father.
His development took shape at the Sacramento Republic FC academy, which he joined in 2021 at age 11. During his time in the youth league, he recorded 61 goals in 81 matches, competing against older opponents while maintaining a standout level of play.
His performances led to his first professional contract in August 2023, when he was 13 years and five months old. This made him the youngest athlete to sign an agreement of this kind in the history of team sports in the United States.
Because of his dual nationality, he became the subject of a sporting dispute between North American federations. Both associations invited him to training camps and youth tournaments in recent years, aiming to secure his participation in future World Cup cycles.
Although he had taken part in an international tournament with the U.S. Under-16 category earlier in 2026, the Mexican federation’s management work secured his inclusion for Mexico’s youth teams.
Andrés Lillini, director of youth national teams, maintained continuous contact to bring him into the national project.
The decision became public in November 2026, when the player appeared on the official roster of coach Jurgen Castañeda for the World Cup. He currently plays for North Texas SC in MLS NEXT Pro, joining the club on loan in June 2026 to continue his development.
This stage has allowed him to accumulate minutes in professional competition before his first FIFA international tournament.
The Under-17 World Cup will be held in Doha from November 19 to December 13, 2026. Mexico was placed in Group K, where it will face Romania, Cameroon and Venezuela during the opening phase.
Mexico’s debut is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, against Romania. The addition of this California-born striker gives the team an offensive option as it seeks to compete for its third world title in this age category.
