The World Cup is a showcase for the world’s best footballers, but Qatar 2022 promises to be a mix of potential finals appearances for a group of iconic stars, coupled with the emergence of an exciting new generation of talent.
The stage is set for the ultimate World Cup battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United will be 41 years old by the time the 2026 tournament arrives.
However, defending champions France will once again be led by Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe as they aim to win their first world title alongside Messi and Ronaldo.
Add to the mix the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric, Harry Kane, Pedri and Virgil van Dijk, and Qatar is shaping up to be an incredible showpiece.
Who are the biggest stars in World Cup 2022?
Previous World Cups have provided a platform for established icons to shine and successful players to make their mark on the world stage, and 2022 should be no different.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Mbappe was outstanding for France as Didier Deschamps’ side won the world title in 2018, but the PSG star has moved to another level over the last two seasons and should be one of the standout performers for the defending champions.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi’s waning powers have been exaggerated over the last couple of years, with the Paramount Argentine showcasing his talents in deeper roles at PSG. All eyes will be on him as he looks to finally add the World Cup to his glittering list of individual and team accolades, which he has already confirmed will be his final World Cup appearance.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
De Bruyne will finally be tasked with helping Belgium shed their ‘almost a man’ tag in Qatar, with a star-studded lineup that has consistently underperformed in previous tournaments. However, the Manchester City man is determined to prove himself as the No.1 midfielder in world football.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Despite a difficult time at Manchester United, expectations around Ronaldo will still be intense in Qatar, as he competes in a record-equalling fifth final, but Portugal has had to work hard through the playoffs to qualify. They eventually secured their place in the tournament by defeating North Macedonia and the 2016 European champions will once again look to Ronaldo’s ability to lead their attack as a big focal point.
Vinicius Jr. (Brazil)
Despite the pressure to establish himself as a key player for both Real Madrid and Brazil over the past two years, Vinicius Jr. has stepped up to the challenge brilliantly. His partnership with Karim Benzema in Madrid is one of the deadliest pairings in Spanish football, and his world-class ability could make him one of the star names for Qatar 2022.
Takefusa Kubo (Japan)
At just 21 years of age, Takefusa Kubo has already made quite a name for himself – appearing in La Liga first with Barcelona and then Real Madrid with the ‘wonderkid’ label. The Japanese midfielder moved to Real Sociedad in this year’s summer transfer window (although Real retains 50% ownership of him, and can bring him back to the Spanish capital until 2025) and continues to prove the prospect that people in Asia have always known him for. He will likely be a key figure for Blue Samurai and could be set for a breakthrough tournament.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Despite playing a consistent role as Liverpool’s defensive rock, Van Dijk has yet to play for his country at the World Cup. The Dutch are much stronger at the back and in midfield than they have been in recent years, and just like Premier League rivals De Bruyne, Van Dijk will aim to reinforce his tag as one of the best players in his position in world football.
Neymar (Brazil)
The paranoid Brazilian continues to carry the burden of his country’s hopes on the biggest stage, and Qatar 2022 will be no different. Whenever Neymar pulls on the jersey, the nation expects him to be eager to lead the Selecao to their first world title since 2002. Neymar has failed to reach the heights he had hoped for with PSG in recent times, and injuries haven’t helped. The 2021 Copa America remains the focal point of the attack for the final defeat.
Pedri (Spain)
La Rosa star Pedri is the latest midfielder in the Spanish production line, which has previously produced Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi. However, there are suggestions around Camp Nou that Pedri could one day surpass his Barcelona predecessors as he looks to build on a spectacular success at Euro 2020.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Modric is likely to follow the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, and Benzema in possibly calling time on his international career after the World Cup, but the 37-year-old midfielder will be determined to lead Croatia to success in Qatar, despite his advancing years. , he has become a match for anyone in world football.
Alphonso Davies (Canada)
Canada qualified for the World Cup for the first time since Mexico in 1986, and they did so without their talisman for the final push. Davis was ruled out after suffering from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, after contracting COVID-19. The Bayern Munich man’s emotional reaction on social media to securing his place in the queue in Canada showed just how important it is to him and he will be eager to shine on the biggest stage.
Christian Pulisic (USA)
The USMNT will need their talisman Pulisic to lead them if they are to go deep into the tournament. The Chelsea playmaker has been the standout of their qualification campaign, and he will hope to take his big-game experience to the world stage at the club level as part of Greg Berhalter’s talent-packed roster.
Son Heung-min (South Korea)
Son has repeatedly shown in his career with Tottenham in the Premier League that he is capable of individual brilliance, scoring some of the best strikes the league has ever seen. At the international level, he is just as ruthless, with over 30 international goals to his name, and will be one of the strikers expected to shine in the Middle East.
Harry Kane (England)
England captain Kane will be a key player for Gareth Southgate’s side as the Three Lions aim to defeat Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Kane returned to top form in the second half of the 2021/22 Premier League season and has started the new campaign in a fashion that suggests he can once again thrive on the biggest stage.