The FIFA World Cup is the crowning jewel of international football, where the greatest players in the world get to showcase their talent throughout the month-long knockout tournament. The 2022 WOrld Cup is set to kick off in Qatar on November 21, and below is a list of 11 players who are set to shine. If you are looking for the best in spread betting odds on the international contest you can find it here.
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Harry Kane
Kane’s international record speaks for itself, in 73 games for England to-date, the 29-year old has netted 50 goals with an average of 0.68 goals per game for his country. If Kane is firing, England becomes a significantly dangerous prospect. And it’s not just his prowess in front of goal: his ability to ping precision passes out to the wide runners has been a huge asset for Spurs over the past half-decade. Just imagine the damage Sterling, Foden and Saka can create getting onto the end of those.
Lionel Messi
The Argentinians boast plenty of high-flying attacking options from Ángel di María and Mauro Icardi to central dynamo Lautaro Martinez, but none can boast such superiority as Messi. Messi lit up the 2021 Copa America, bagging four goals and five goals on his way to lifting the trophy with Argentina. Can he go one better in Qatar?
Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema
With Karim Benzema now very much back in the French team, together with 23-year-old Mbappé the backlines of Australia, Denmark and Tunisia are going to have to be at their very best. Benzama’s Euro 2020 was impressive, as was Mbappé’s breakout on the international front in the 2018 World Cup, following an incredible couple of years in the French Ligue 1 which nailed him on as one of the best young players in the world. Expect them to play a massive part in Qatar, even if France’s Euros performance last year left a little to be desired.
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski — who just moved to Barcelona at the age of 33 is a legend of a centre forward. He netted 238 goals in 253 apps in eight years at Bayern Munich, and regularly shows up for the national team, earning himself 76 goals in 132 games. There’s no question: if Poland does well at the Qatar World Cup, it’ll be up to the captain and goalscorer.
Kevin De Bruyne
Roberto Martinez’s Belgium team haven’t really delivered on the promise of their squad on paper, stacked with the likes of De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku but still, the 31-year-old Man City midfielder is their key asset. Injuries aside, he’d walk into any national team; any team, for that matter. De Bruyne grabbed one goal and two assists at the 2018 World Cup, firing his nation to a third-place finish. Needless to say, he will be eager to go one better this time around.
Pedri
Pedri will still be a teenager when the tournament kicks off, but he is undoubtedly one of the top players to track at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. At 19, the midfield maestro has already made 73 first-team appearances for Barcelona. On top of that, he has 12 international caps under his belt. Best known for his controlled passing, tireless work rate and composure on the ball, Pedri looks set to play a key role for Spain later this year and emerge as one of the most exciting young talents to grace the international stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo
You cannot mention the biggest stars at the 2022 FIFA World Cup without mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes, the Portuguese star is on the down-swing of his career, but he will go down as one of the best international players of all time. Having netted 117 goals in 189 appearances for Portugal, CR7 is the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football and will look to cement his legacy with a strong showing at what could be his last World Cup.
Vinicius Junior
Vini Jr is one of the hottest properties in world football, with the Real Madrid star chalking up a substantial 22 goals and 20 assists en route to a memorable La Liga and Champions League double with Los Blancos. Much of the focus will be on the talisman Neymar yet Vinicius could be the one that makes a name for himself on the biggest international stage.
Alphonso Davies
Going under the radar with all the talent in the United States team, Alphonso Davies is one of the best North American soccer players right now. The Bayern Munich left-back is the leading light in the Canadian national team and is destined to enhance his status at the World Cup.
Achraf Hakimi
The marauding right back was named in the 2019-20 Bundesliga Team of the Year before being named in the 2021-22 Serie A Team of the Year. LAst season for PSG he netted four goals and six assists en route to lifting the Ligue 1 trophy. Remarkably, at 23-years old, Hakimi has 51 international caps to his name already and is on his way to becoming one of the greatest African players of all time for Morocco. It will be a treat to watch him on the biggest international stage in Qatar.
