2018 World Cup
Russia will host the 21st edition of the World Cup next summer, with the action getting under way on 14 June and concluding with the final in Moscow on 15 July.
Thirty-two countries from five confederations will be represented at the tournament, and in this slideshow we’ve picked out the key man from each participating nation.
32. Igor Akinfeev (Russia)
FIFA ranking: 65
The CSKA Moscow goalkeeper is the only top-class star in the squad, but even he isn't popular with all Russian fans. Akinfeev made two costly blunders in matches against South Korea and Algeria at the 2014 World Cup, and was at fault again against Mexico at the Confederations Cup.
He’ll be desperate to avoid making similar errors at a home World Cup, particularly as Russia face a battle to even make it through the group. Akinfeev will turn 32 in April, and this could be his last chance to feature at an international tournament.
28. Shinji Kagawa (Japan)
FIFA ranking: 55
Kagawa’s best days may be behind him – he’ll never again be one of the biggest stars in the Bundesliga as he was in 2012 – but the Japanese midfielder remains his country’s most high-profile player.
After scoring five goals in qualifying, Kagawa will be similarly central to the Samurai Blues’ attacking efforts in Russia. Japan aren’t at their highest ebb right now, so they’ll need the 28-year-old to deliver.
27. John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
FIFA ranking: 50
The former Chelsea midfielder is kicking balls in China these days, but it'd be wrong to assume he’s past his best. His role for Nigeria has always been very different to the one he fulfilled at Stamford Bridge, with Mikel assuming playmaker duties for his country and always looking to link up with the Super Eagles’ forwards.
He’s also a leader and someone who has won major honours at club level, which can’t be said for all of his team-mates. Mikel will be integral both on and off the pitch next year.
26. Medhi Benatia (Morocco)
FIFA ranking: 40
The former Roma and Bayern Munich star doesn't play regularly at Juventus, but his contribution to the national team is immense; despite a plethora of options at centre-half, France might be regretting the fact he isn't playing for them. Benatia will need to be at his commanding best if Herve Renard’s men are to succeed in Russia.
25. Tim Cahill (Australia)
FIFA ranking: 39
The veteran will be 38 come the summer, but he’s still one of the best headers of a ball in the world. Now playing for Melbourne City, the former Everton star scored 11 goals in the qualifiers, taking his tally for the national team to 50 goals in 104 games.
Cahill will be in top shape as he looks forward to a fourth World Cup, and while he might not play every minute of every Australia game, he has the ability to be decisive when he’s on the field.
23. Sardar Azmoun (Iran)
FIFA ranking: 32
The lanky 22-year-old has an incredible scoring record for his country with 22 goals in 30 games – and half of them came during the qualifiers.
Iran’s biggest strength is their defensive solidity, but Azmoun is the standout talent at Carlos Queiroz’s disposal. His recent club form for Rubin Kazan has been poor, though, which is a major cause of concern for the Iranians ahead of their third World Cup appearance in the last four tournaments.
22. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
FIFA ranking: 31
Arguably his continent's brightest superstar at the moment, the 25-year-old is also the most expensive African player in history – yet still a Liverpool transfer bargain.
Salah has been outstanding since arriving at Anfield from Roma for £35m in the summer, and he’s been magnificent for his country as well, scoring five goals in five qualifiers. A true leader, passionate and dedicated, Salah is capable of taking the Pharaohs far.
19. Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal)
FIFA ranking: 23
Sadio Mane may be the most eye-catching member of the Senegalese squad, but West Ham stalwart Kouyate is his country’s captain and invariably at the heart of everything they do.
Experienced and driven, he’s a leader in midfield and possesses underrated technical gifts. He’s versatile too, able to slot in at centre-half if required, and will be essential as the The Lions of Teranga aim for the knockout stage.
17. Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
FIFA ranking: 21
Suarez’s football hasn’t really done the talking at previous World Cups: the striker handled the ball on the line to deny Ghana a goal in the 2010 quarter-final, before taking a bite of Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder four years later.
Although he’s had a poor start to the 2017/18 campaign for Barcelona, Suarez remains his country’s go-to attacking star. Uruguay’s all-time top scorer with 49 goals, the soon-to-be 31-year-old will know that Russia 2018 could be his final chance to triumph on the biggest stage of all.
16. Emil Forsberg (Sweden)
FIFA ranking: 18
Forsberg has flourished since the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and he’ll be keen to transfer his form for RB Leipzig to the international stage next summer.
As you might expect from a player who topped the Bundesliga charts with 21 assists in 2016/17, Forsberg is a creative presence who can play in a number of different roles. Gifted but hard-working, he’s Sweden’s star man.
15. Luka Modric (Croatia)
FIFA ranking: 17
Widely considered one of the best in the world in his position, Modric isn’t the most popular person in his homeland due to off-field issues. Nevertheless, he’ll once again be Croatia’s most important player as this current generation aims to make a lasting impression akin to the class of 1998.
13. Harry Kane (England)
FIFA ranking: 15
Initially dismissed by some as a one-season wonder, Kane has scored 94 Tottenham goals in his last three full seasons in north London. He’s also got an excellent record in front of goal for England, netting 12 times in 23 appearances, and will lead the line for Gareth Southgate’s men in Russia.
Capable of scoring every type of goal, the 24-year-old is also adept at holding the ball up and bringing others into play. Just don’t expect him to be taking corners next summer.
10. Paolo Guerrero (Peru)
FIFA ranking: 11
The former Bayern Munich and Hamburg striker has been in top form for Flamengo in recent years, scoring 20 goals in 44 appearances in 2017. He also netted five times for his country in the qualifiers and is Peru’s leading scorer of all time with 32 strikes since 2004.
Guerrero recently failed a drug test and consequently missed the two-legged play-off against New Zealand, but he’s likely to be cleared in time for the tournament next year.
9. N'Golo Kante (France)
FIFA ranking: 9
The diminutive midfield warrior led Leicester to a sensational Premier League triumph in 2016, and repeated the feat with Chelsea a year later. Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann are the headline generators in this France team, but Kante’s ball-winning prowess makes him the most important cog in Didier Deschamps’ machine.
8. Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)
FIFA ranking: 8
The Stoke winger was once expected to become one of the best players of his generation, but he’s failed to live up to his early potential after disappointing spells with Bayern Munich and Inter.
He’s a key player for his current club side, though, and remains vital to the Swiss’ chances of success in 2018. Although guilty of inconsistency, Shaqiri can pull a rabbit out of the hat at any moment – as he demonstrated with a stunning goal against Poland at Euro 2016.
6. Andres Iniesta (Spain)
FIFA ranking: 6
The Barcelona legend rarely finds the net for club or country these days, while his fitness could be a concern if he’s overworked for the rest of the season. Yet his ability to dictate the tempo and create chances for team-mates means Iniesta is still the most fundamental member of the Spanish squad.
5. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
FIFA ranking: 5
The Manchester City star, who Pep Guardiola considers the complete midfielder, has been in astonishing form in the Premier League this season, proving the most influential figure in City’s rise to the top of the table.
His passing range is stupendous and he possesses a fine shot from range; still just 26, De Bruyne could one day prove capable of winning the Ballon d’Or (once Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have exited the stage, of course).
4. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
FIFA ranking: 4
Simply, Argentina wouldn't have made it to this tournament without their Barcelona superstar. Messi – who temporarily retired from the national team after losing in the 2016 Copa America Centenario final – scored seven goals in the qualifiers, including a crucial hat-trick against Ecuador on the final day.
This will be a fourth World Cup for the 30-year-old genius – but can he finally win a title for his country? It's the only trinket missing from a glorious career... but a big one.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
FIFA ranking: 3
Who else? Having one of the best players in history on your side is patently a massive advantage, and the Real Madrid forward – scorer of 79 goals in 147 matches for Portugal – will be integral as Fernando Santos’ men look to build on their Euro 2016 success.
Ronaldo has endured a slow start to the 2017/18 campaign and will be 33 next summer, but he’s still capable of making the difference at the highest level. The 2018 edition is his last chance to shine at a World Cup, but the ex-Manchester United man must be willing to share the spotlight with his colleagues.
2. Neymar (Brazil)
FIFA ranking: 2
The burden on the €222m man has eased somewhat after Brazil won gold at the 2016 Olympics, while Tite seems to know how to bring the best out of the PSG forward.
The Selecao were far too dependent on Neymar for inspiration in 2014; it’s impossible to prove, but you get the feeling Brazil wouldn’t have lost 7-1 to Germany had their star man been fit. Four years older and with a great deal more experience under his belt, all Brazilian eyes will again be on Neymar in Russia.
