With the Qatar World Cup 2022 fast approaching, millions around the world will be looking forward to watching the best of the best perform against one another on the world stage.
The players who have been handpicked for this year's coveted tournament are the cream of the crop in terms of their skills and capabilities on the pitch, and there is guaranteed to be fireworks day in day out when they come together to face off.
And while every participant will enter the tournament with hopes of bringing their country glory when the tournament wraps up - it also provides a perfect platform for young up and coming talents to showcase their skills.
Read more: England's World Cup 2022 squad shirt numbers should be announced by Tuesday
So without further ado, here are the top players from each country to watch out for in this year's World Cup:
Qatar -
Akram Afif (LW) // Al Sadd SC
A pacey and powerful winger with bags of potential for his nation this winter.
Ecuador -
Pervis Estupinan (LWB) // Brighton and Hove Albion
An explosive left-wingback who has a keen eye for forward moves. Estupinan will hope to drive his team forth from the back at the World Cup.
Senegal -
Sadio Mane (LW) // Bayern Munich
Scored 120 goals at Anfield before heading off to Germany in the summer. Mane has continued his emphatic thirst for goals since making the move, and will hope to carry his rich vein of form onto the international stage.
Netherlands -
Virgil Van Dijk (CB) // Liverpool FC
A defensive anchor for both club and country - Van Dijk will no doubt command his back line and make it near enough impossible to play through.
England -
Phil Foden (CM) // Manchester City FC
An attacking midfielder who is no stranger to also working the wings. Foden can pick a pass, run at defences and create stunning solo goals out of nothing.
Iran -
Ehsan Hajsafi (LB) // AEK Athens
A midefield veteran, Hajsafi will hope to pass on his wealth of experience to his teammates both on and off the pitch. Although Iran may not seem like world beaters on the face of things, you can never count them out with seasoned players like this.
USA -
Timothy Weah (CF) // LOSC Lille
Timothy Weah will hope to follow in his father George's footsteps when he takes to Qatar for this year's world cup - in causing problems for defences all round given the smallest opportunity. Although an injury kept him side-lined at the start of the year, he now seems back to full fitness and ready to wreak havoc.
Wales -
Gareth Bale (RW) // Los Angeles FC
While Gareth Bale lost a little bit of his shine when seeking greatness in Madrid, don't be fooled by the dangerous characteristics he still holds. At 33-years-old, this may be the Welshman's final world cup, so he'll be looking to go out with a bang.
Argentina -
Lionel Messi (RW) // Paris Saint Germain
Another star-man facing his last potential world cup is the magician that is Lionel Messi. At 35-years-old, his career is smoothly coming to a close, but he has still been bossing the pitch for PSG this season so far - netting 12 goals and 14 assists so far.
Saudi Arabia -
Salem al-Dawsari (LW) // Al Hilal
Saudi born and bred, this tricky winger who carries out his trade at Al Hilal will be hoping to put his name further afield given the chance on the world stage.
Mexico -
Hirving Lozano (CAM) // Napoli FC
Napoli are currently enjoying a brilliant breakthrough season, sat in first place on 41 points from just 15 games. And Hirving Lozano is partially to thank for his performances on the pitch this year so far - racking up 719 minutes overall at the tie of writing.
Poland -
Robert Lewandowski (ST) // FC Barcelona
A record-breaker with pace in abundance and superhuman strength is Robert Lewandowski. While the Bayern veteran may have left a sour taste in Munich's mouth by switching allegiance to Barcelona over the summer, he hasn't left behind his goal scoring prowess - netting 13 goals in 14 matches.
France -
Kylian Mbappe (ST) // Paris Saint Germain
When you think of natural footballing prodigies, Kylian Mbappe probably springs to mind instantaneously. A rapid forward who can also play on the wing, he has helped guide PSG to five French championships - as well as his nation to a coveted World Cup trophy in 2018.
Australia -
Aaron Mooy (CM) // Celtic FC
All in all, a no-nonsense ball winner with amazing vision. This Celtic centre mid will be hoping to impress Aussies as well as the rest of the world in this year's coveted competition.
Denmark -
Christian Eriksen (CAM) // Manchester United FC
A regular feature for Manchester United, Christian Eriksen will hopefully assist Denmark to World Cup glory in 2022. A nimble baller with an amazing football IQ, Eriksen can thread a pass like no other, and isn't afraid to shoot from range.
Tunisia -
Hannibal Mejbri (CM) // Birmingham City FC
A Manchester United prospect who is currently tearing up the EFL Championship with Birmingham City, Hannibal is a feisty midfielder who is always game for a challenge. Although he hasn't got the prestige of playing in the top leagues like others on this list, you'll definitely see him give it his all in Qatar.
Spain -
Pedri (CM) // FC Barcelona
At just 19-years-old, Pedri is one of the new generation for Barcelona. A regular feature in La Liga, the midfielder has took to the men's game like no other in such a short space of time - and will be looking forward to testing himself on the world stage for the first ever time.
Costa Rica -
Jewisson Bennette (CF) // Sunderland AFC
A Sunderland super-sub who hasn't really been given a great amount of game time, it's easy to be sceptical about how much talent Bennette holds. However, when he has came on the pitch for Tony Mowbray's side, he has looks sharp, rapid and fierce - so it will be interesting to see how he gets on in Qatar.
Germany -
Joshua Kimmich (CDM) // Bayern Munich
It's hard to believe that up until a couple of years ago, Joshua Kimmich was an out and out fullback. In 2022, he seems the complete package, and although still fairly young, Kimmich is a huge figure both on and off the pitch. Equally as game for a forward run as he is for a meaty challenge, Joshua never provides a boring watch.
Japan -
Daichi Kamada (CAM) // Eintracht Frankfurt
26-year-old Daichi Kamada has been doing 'bits' in the Bundesliga for Eintracht Frankfurt - scoring seven and assisting 3 in 13 appearances this season. He has also won the Europa League and DFB Pokal with Frankfurt in the past.
Belgium -
Kevin De Bruyne (CM) // Manchester City FC
Touted by many as one of the world's best central midfielders, it comes as little to no surprise that Kevin De Bruyne makes his way onto this list. A stellar passer of the ball, a commanding presence and a real team player - De Bruyne is sure to make further highlight-reel worthy waves at this year's tournament.
Canada -
Alphonso Davies (LWB) // Bayern Munich
Dubbed 'the most gifted soccer player to have come out of the MLS' Alphonso Davies has been a defensive staple for Bayern Munich since switching continents in 2019. Lightning quick up and down the line, Davies will make Canada a pleasure to watch this World Cup.
Morocco -
Achraf Hakimi (RB) // Paris Saint Germain
Known mainly for his direct running, vicious speed and goal scoring capabilities - Achraf Hakimi is often regarded as one of the best right backs in the world at present. With all this in mind, he will surely be a spectacle to behold in Qatar.
Known for his speed,runs and goal scoring ability, he is regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football
Croatia -
Luka Modric (CM) // Real Madrid
Usually finding himself deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, Modric is widely-regarded as not only the best ever Croatian footballer but also one of the best midfielders of all time. While he is now 37 and his career is slowly coming to an end, you'd be mistaken to believe that Luka is still in the prime of his game - still bagging goals from all over the pitch and picking passes to create assists.
Brazil -
Neymar Jr (LW) // Paris Saint Germain
Neymar Jr is the epitome of Brazilian spirit. Buckets full of flair, a filthy finesse shot and pace which could leave the fastest roadrunner in the dust - there are certainly high expectations for him from his nation this year. And it's just as well as he always seems to clutch up on the world stage.
Serbia -
Dusan Vlahovic (ST) // Juventus FC
While Juventus have been described as faded this season thus far, one stand out player comes in the form of Dusan Vlahovic. A complete striker, packing strength, technique and a thirst for goals he excels in the centre of the pitch while driving forward into dangerous areas.
Switzerland -
Granit Xhaka (CDM) // Arsenal FC
A highly technical footballer who loves a meaty challenge - Granit Xhaka will bring a certain presence to the Swiss national side this year. Also a leader for both club and country, you'll likely see him organising the team while pouring his heart and soul into each and every performance.
Cameroon -
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (ST) // Bayern Munich
With 30 goals under his belt for a highly competitive Bayern Munich, Eric Choupo-Moting has taken to the Bundesliga like no other. He's also recently found a real run of form leading up to the World Cup with stellar Champions League appearances in particular - and hopefully he can carry it on as Cameroon take to Qatar.
Portugal -
Rafael Leao (LW) // AC MIlan
With an abundance of pace and trickery, Rafael Leao has been building storms in the Serie A this season. The Portuguese left-winger has some obvious competition for his place in this year's Cup, and given the chance, he will certainly show why he should be Fernando Santos' first choice forward.
Ghana -
Mohammed Kudus (CF) // Ajax
With five goals in 14 games thus far for Ajax, Kudus may not seem like a complete baller on the face of things. But his creativity and pure passion makes up for his lacklustre goal tally thus far, often picking key passes and playing teammates into dangerous areas. Ghana have a whole host of practically unknown talent this year, but Kudus is one name which you'll remember forever when the dust settles.
Uruguay -
Frederico Valverde (CM) // Real Madrid
One of Uruguay's hottest up and coming talents comes in the form of centre-mid Frederico Valverde - who has been well and truly smashing it for the Galactagos domestically as well as in the Champions League. A bit of a Jack of all trades, Valverde possesses the creativity and pizazz to carry his nation forward in this year's tournament.
South Korea -
Son Heung Min (LW) // Tottenham Hotspur
Son and Harry Kane's strike partnership at Spurs has been a force to be reckoned with over the past few seasons now, but don't for one minute think that the South Korean depends on anyone else to do the business. A well rounded forward who can play on the wing or as an all out striker, Son will no doubt score some screamers and dazzle with super skills as the World Cup ticks by.
Chronicle Live's XI:
GK: Thibaut Cortois
RB: Joao Cancelo
LB: Alphonso Davies
CB: Virgil Van Dijk
CB: Ruben Dias
CM: Kevin Du Brunye
CM: Joshua Kimmich
CM: Luka Modric
RW: Lionel Messi
LW: Neymar Jr
ST: Kylian Mbappe
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