Major League Soccer announced today that San Diego FC defender Manu Duah has been named to the 2026 MLS 22 Under 22 list, highlighting the best young domestic and international players across the league. Players were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS on Apple TV talent, and select media.
Duah was ranked ninth this year, marking his second consecutive season on the 22 Under 22 list after earning the No. 15 spot in his MLS debut season in 2025. In 2026, Duah has started all 29 of his MLS appearances, recording three assists. He also scored his first professional goal in SDFC’s 4-1 win over Pumas UNAM in Leg 1 of the first round of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Duah, 21, first joined SDFC after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of California, Santa Barbara. A 2025 Generation adidas signing, Duah made his professional debut in the final minute of SDFC’s 5-3 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 25 at BC Place.
Duah had a stellar debut season in 2025, making 22 appearances (20 starts) in all competitions, including three appearances in the 2025 Leagues Cup and five starts during SDFC’s historic run to the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. A native of Accra, Ghana, Duah was one of two SDFC players, along with defender Luca Bombino, to earn a spot on the MLS 22 Under 22 ranking in 2025.
The 2026 22 Under 22 class highlights the next generation of MLS talent, with 16 clubs represented and an average player age of approximately 20 years old. The Philadelphia Union and Red Bull New York lead all clubs with three selections each, followed by Nashville SC and the New England Revolution with two selections apiece.
The class underscores the continued impact of MLS player development pathways, with 17 players having competed in MLS NEXT, 16 in MLS NEXT Pro and 15 signing Homegrown contracts.
The group also boasts significant international experience, with 12 players earning senior national team call-ups for a combined 39 international appearances. Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Justin Ellis, Peyton Miller, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield all debuted for the United States during the latest international window, while South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazileads the class with 15 senior caps, including four appearances at the FIFA World Cup 2026 . Manu Duah, Ronald Donkor, and Bruno Caicedo have also earned senior national team call-ups for Ghana and Ecuador, respectively.
To be eligible for voting, players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on November 7, 2026 and therefore must have been born after November 8, 2004. The all-time 22 Under 22 winners are below. Note: Prior to 2018, the list was known as the 24 Under 24.
