5 Bayern Munich youngsters to watch in 2026/27
Leon Goretzka, Raphaël Guerreiro and Nicolas Jackson have departed, meaning first-team opportunities are up for grabs at Bayern Munich. Who is ready to follow Lennart Karl's breakout campaign and make their mark in 2026/27?
After handing senior debuts to over 10 youngsters during his two-year tenure, Vincent Kompany has already proven his willingness and desire to give youth a chance. Let's take a closer look at five players we can expect to see much more of over the coming season...
Arijon Ibrahimović
Age: 20 (born 11 December 2005)
Position: Attacking midfield
Country: Germany
Bayern appearances: Four
Move over, Zlatan, there's another Ibrahimović ready to shine! The attacking midfielder impressed on loan at Heidenheim last season, scoring his first two Bundesliga goals and earning a nomination for February's Rookie of the Month award.
The Germany U21 international is a handy box-to-box operator who might even hope to eventually fill the shoes left by the departed Goretzka - with Bayern confirming that Ibrahimović is firmly in their plans for their 2026/27 first-team squad.
"Now it's no longer just about learning for him. Now it's about making his mark here," said Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund in early July.
With first-team regulars' minutes likely to be managed carefully after deep runs at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and with Karl and Serge Gnabry recovering from injuries that kept them out of the summer showdown, Ibrahimović is set to get a chance to show what he can do.
Jonas Urbig
Age: 22 (born 8 August 2003)
Position: Goalkeeper
Country: Germany
Bayern appearances: 32
Following Goretzka's departure, one pillar of the generation that led Bayern to such success over the past decade or so is gone. In Manuel Neuer, there is another lending his immense experience and stature in goal for now, but young Urbig looks ready to follow the legendary shot stopper, now 40, when the time comes.
The champions' hierarchy are convinced of Urbrig's potential, with board member for sport Max Eberl recently calling him "the future of Bayern".
Neuer has been preparing Urbig to step up, and after 11 Bundesliga starts (and three substitute appearances) in the last campaign, expect him to make plenty more displays in 2026/27.
Tom Bischof
Age: 21 (born 28 June 2005)
Position: Central midfield/left-back
Country: Germany
Bayern appearances: 39
The young midfielder burst onto the Bundesliga scene with a series of stylish showings for Hoffenheim in 2024/25 before moving to Munich last summer.
The former Fritz Walter Gold Medal winner made as many as 14 starts in a solid first season - even more impressive was the fact that most of his 26 total performances came in the previously unfamiliar position of left-back due to Alphonso Davies' injuries.
Having also featured at right-back, Bischof recently told the Bundesliga: "I'm happy that I was able to learn two new positions."
The departure of Goretzka now places Bischof, who made his full Germany international debut in June 2025, as the primary challenger to Aleksandar Pavlović alongside Joshua Kimmich in midfield.
After three goals and three assists for Bayern in the previous campaign, Bischof is capable of making a major impact for Kompany's charges if his development continues apace.
Nathaniel Brown
Age: 23 (born 16 June 2003)
Position: Left-back
Country: Germany
Bayern appearances: 0
Brown was signed by Bayern at the start of July, and if anyone was in any doubt of his ability to make an impact there after his 57 Bundesliga appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt, they are likely to be won over by his composed showings at this summer's World Cup.
Not only did Brown beat off stiff competition from David Raum to start at left-back, he promptly scored his first international goal in a big 7-1 win over Curaçao.
At a speedy 35.78 kmph, he was just outside the Bundesliga's 10 fastest players last season, and will be eager to promptly make his mark at Bayern, despite facing competition in the left-back role from the similarly swift Davies.
Filip Pavić
Age: 16 (born 19 January 2010)
Position: Centre-back
Country: Croatia
Bayern appearances: Two
Having become Bayern's youngest-ever player in the UEFA Champions League in a 4-1 win over Atalanta in the second leg of last season's last 16, the versatile defender has every hope of seeing more playing time in the upcoming campaign.
It is safe to say Pavić's defensive ability will have been boosted by training with the Bayern first-team squad since last September.
Having been regarded as one of the biggest talents at Bayern's prestigious youth academy, and featuring as an unused substitute in a 4-0 Bundesliga win over Union Berlin in March, there is every chance he defies his young age and slots in seamlessly if Kompany calls on him.
