You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide We all know the classic wonderkid hotspots in Football ManagerBrazil, Argentina, Spain, France, etc. The usual suspects. But what if you want to find a star beyond those standard destinations? Theres something uniquely satisfying about unearthing a wonderkid from a so-called obscure nation. It just hits differently, doesnt it?Hunting for Wonderkids in Football ManagerWeve 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, Im including them on this list. Lets 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 isnt 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 Ratingthe same as Belgiumsyoure looking at a wonderkid haven. And lets be real, we all know Belgium is top-tier for youth talent. The best part? Nigerian players are ridiculously cheap. Thanks to the leagues low wages, its easy to tempt their budding stars to your club for peanuts. If youre looking for affordable future superstars, Nigeria is a no-brainerEgyptSpeaking of Africas finest, Egypt takes the crown with the continents 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 Nigerias, the players are still absolute bargains compared to their European counterparts. If youre scouting Africa, dont sleep on Egypt. South AfricaThis ones more personal anecdote than hard data, but South Africa never fails me in Football Manager. In every save, theres always one South African wonderkid who goes on to become the nations greatest player of all time.The NXGN top wonderkids list frequently includes a South African gemusually from Sundowns. And since South Africa is part of the base game, youll 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.A South African wonderkid in my current save Football Manager 2024IranWhen 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 Serbias 100. Surprised? Youre not alone.This highlights a common bias in FMwe assume certain countries are better than they really are. In real life, Irans best player might be Mehdi Taremi (no offense, Mehdi), but in-game, Iran has the potential to produce some serious talent. Dont overlook them.An Iranian wonderkid in my current save Football Manager 2024Japan If youre 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 footballs 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.ColombiaLabeling 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 youre scouting Atletico Nacional and the Colombian youth teamsbefore clubs like Chelsea swoop in and steal your gems. A Colombian wonderkid in my save Football Manager 2024Czech Republic The Czech Republic might sit in the shadow of its neighborsGermany and Italywhen it comes to youth development, but dont 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 leagues lower reputation, these players are much cheaper than their counterparts in neighbouring countries.Other obscure nations to keep an eye onWhile these may be the best obscure nations to scout your wonderkids from, theres a lot more to keep an eye on. Theres always the possibility of finding a killer wonderkid in Football Manager, so keep an eye on these additional nations:ScotlandAlgeriaUSA Ivory CoastTurkey GreeceSouth Korea RussiaUkraine QatarDR 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 Ive missed that you think I should include? Let me know in the comment section!Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share