We have now provided expert and detailed profiles of the rosters of all the teams competing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The tournament has kicked off and for many there is no bigger sports event than soccer’s most prestigious competition in the Middle East.
Many pundits and experts have mentioned Brazil, Argentina and France when it comes to potential champions – and these are the favorites when it comes to the World Cup betting online markets. But who are the players you should look out for in Qatar. Here are five that could make all the difference over the next few weeks.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
You will see that most of the players on our list are either up and coming or youngsters that have already proved that they have what it takes to mix with the very best in the world. But there is simply no way we can talk about the 2022 World Cup and not mention Lionel Messi.
Considered by many to be the finest player in the world, Messi is also probably playing in his last ever World Cup. After finally winning a major trophy for his country at the 2021 Copa America, he could round off one of the greatest careers of all time with a third World Cup triumph for Argentina.
Jamal Musiala, Germany
He is only 19 years old but has already broken English hearts by choosing to play for Germany, after spending much of his childhood in England. But he left the country to join Bayern Munich at the age of 16 and has steadily been improving over the last three years to become one of the most exciting talents in the sport.
He broke into the Bayern first team in 2020 and became the club’s youngest ever scorer soon after. He won his first international cap in March 2021 and scored his first goal for his country just a few months later. Now he is one of the most important players in a Germany squad that is looking to remind everyone just how good it is.
Pedri, Spain
One of the countries that Jamal Musiala will come up against in the opening phase of this World Cup is Spain – and it has some incredibly talented young players of its own. One of them is Barcelona’s Pedri. But he has been performing at the highest level for so long that many fans forget that he is only just about to turn 20.
It was 2021 when he really burst onto the scene for both club and country, playing over 70 games in total and looking remarkably refreshed right up until the end. The way he looks after the ball is exemplary and he is another young player that has become absolutely crucial to his team’s chances of success.
Figure 2 Australia is not always thought of a soccer power but it could be a good World Cup for the Socceroos
Garang Kuol, Australia
It has been quite a year for Garang Kuol. He has only ever played fewer than 20 senior games but started off 2022 making his debut for Central Coast Mariners in Australia’s A-League before earning a move to the EPL’s Newcastle United, where he will be in January.
Born in Egypt to parents that had fled South Sudan, he arrived in Australia as a refugee as an infant and began starring in the youth leagues of Victoria before signing with the Mariners. He has only made a single appearance for the Socceroos as a substitute but could now really burst onto the world stage with some memorable performances in Qatar.
Michy Batshuayi, Belgium
Belgium is a team of global superstars that have so far failed to live up to its golden generation tag. When Romelu Lukaku was ruled out of at least the first two games at this year’s World Cup, many would have looked at Eden Hazard or Kevin De Bruyne for the goals to propel the Red Devils through the competition.
But it is Michy Batshuayi that many of Belgium’s fans will be counting on. After signing for Chelsea in 2016 he has had to turn to loan moves away from the club to get some pitch time – and has now signed permanently for Turkish side Fenerbahce. But it is his international performances that suggest that he could be so important. Twenty-six goals in just 48 games put him seventh on the all-time list – and he could add a few more in Qatar.