World Cup stars 2022: The 23 new players to watch out for

Rodrygo, Bellingham, Gavi and Fati are among the names expected to take the biggest stage in football by storm

Charles De Ketelaere - Belgium. Ten caps since emerging on to the scene at the age of 21. Last campaign saw the midfielder net 18 goals for Club Brugge. After signing for AC Milan in the summer, he is a regular and could be lining up alongside Kevin de Bruyne in Qatar. EPA

Vinicius Junior - Brazil. Part of Brazil's formidable pack of forwards. The 22-year-old, who netted the winner against Liverpool in the Champions League final last season, is expected to light up the tournament under manager Tite. Getty

Danilo - Brazil. The 21-year-old is a regular for Palmeiras and previously picked up the adidas Bronze Ball at the Fifa Club World Cup against Chelsea for being the third best player. Inspired by Ronaldinho, he is ready to play his part for his country, after telling Fifa: 'I think Tite will be able to call on the best to become world champions. Of course, if needed, I’ll be there.' Reuters

Rodrygo - Brazil. The 21-year-old continues to shine in the white of Real Madrid, winning La Liga, Spanish Supercup and the Champions League, while scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists last season. Given his flashes of brilliance, he is a star every side would want at their disposal. Reuters

Alphonso Davies - Canada. The 22-year-old is certainly up there as being arguably one of the best left-back’s in world football. Davies, has won every club trophy available since joining Bayern Munich in 2019, and has now helped his country to qualify for their first World Cup since 1986. 'Look around, look around you. Look at this, we created this. This didn’t exist before we were here,' the Ghana-born star said after his side qualified. AP

Luka Sucic - Croatia. Last season saw Sucic score 11 times for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. The 20-year-old, who has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool, has already been hailed the heir to Mateo Kovacic and is expected to be a key figure for his side in Qatar. EPA

Josko Gvardiol - Croatia. Subject of interest from Chelsea in the summer, with a fee £77m having been discussed. The 20-year-old centre-back eventually ended up staying at Red Bull Leipzig but should he impress in Qatar, a move away in the near future, perhaps to the Premier League, is likely. EPA

Moises Caicedo - Ecuador. The 21-year-old midfielder will be keen to carry his club form with Brighton to his national team. Linked with a move to Liverpool and Chelsea, he will certainly be one to watch. 'I want to have a great World Cup and after that we will see what happens,' he said. 'I think they are one of the best teams in the world and no one would turn down an offer from Chelsea or a club like them.' AFP

Piero Hincapie - Ecuador. Joined Bayer Leverkusen from Argentinian side Talleres in the summer, and the 20-year-old continues to impress. 'I will always give my best for Ecuador, and I believe we can get out of the group, it will be tough, but we can do it,' the defender said. AFP

Jude Bellingham - England. Likened to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, the talented 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund star continues to be linked with a move to Anfield and will certainly be one to keep an eye on in Qatar. AP

Aurelien Tchouameni - France. After signing for Real Madrid for $100million from Monaco in the summer, the Frenchman is Los Blancos’ newest midfield recruit. A tough central midfielder who is also able to provide in attack and create chances and could take the place of the injured N’golo Kante in Didier Deschamps’ XI. AP

Eduardo Camavinga - France. One of Europe’s most talented teenagers, and is expected to be part of the midfield set-up. After signing for Real Madrid in a deal worth €40million at the age of 19, he certainly has all the attributes to be a huge success in Qatar. PA

Jamal Musiala - Germany. One of the standout players for Bayern Munich over the past two seasons. The 19-year-old is a regular for the Bavarian giants, and the Stuttgart-born attacking midfielder has previously talked up his chances of being involved in Qatar. 'I believe in myself! But it doesn’t matter whether I’m in the starting XI or a sub, I want to be ready and help the team. I want to help us get far.' Getty

Marcelo Flores - Mexico. The 19-year-old midfielder, on-loan at Real Oviedo from Arsenal, chose to play for Mexico over England. 'Do I want to go to the World Cup? Sure. What Mexican kid doesn't dream of going to a World Cup?.' AFP

Ryan Gravenberch - Netherlands. Has emerged as one of the best young midfielders in Europe. Bayern Munich secured the signature of the 20-year-old from Ajax in the summer, beating off stiff competition from the likes of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. 'Although he is very young, he is already a great player,' said former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam. AFP

Nicola Zalewski - Poland. Proving wise beyond his years at Roma, and will be keen to kick on at the World Cup. Jose Mourinho started the 20-year-old in the Europa Conference League final after his debut in 2021, and the seven-cap gem made his Poland bow in September. AFP

Nuno Mendes - Portugal. The 20-year-old left-back joined Paris Saint-Germain from Sporting Lisbon on a permanent deal in the summer, after a one year on-loan with the Parisian giants. Mendes has forced his way into the first team, becoming a regular under new boss Christophe Galtier. Will provide the much needed width for Portugal boss Fernando Santos. EPA

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal. Having joined Tottenham from Metz at the end of the 2020-21 season, the 20-year-old had been lighting up Ligue 1, which prompted Spurs to secure his signature. The winger played a role in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations win earlier in 2022, and is one who could light up the tournament. AFP

Dusan Vlahovic - Serbia. The striker burst onto the scene while playing for Fiorentina - having scored 49 goals in 108 matches in Serie A. Joined Juventus after Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit, and is another to look out for. AFP

Gavi - Spain. Having put pen to paper on a long-term deal to remain at Barcelona, Gavi is destined to play a key role in Qatar. Former Barca coach Luis Enrique, now manager of La Roja, is a huge fan of the talented teenager. '[Gavi is] an erupting volcano. It is very difficult not to fall in love with Gavi. Any fan wants to see him play.' Reuters

Pedri - Spain. Like Gavi, he is a regular for Barca and the 19-year-old has already been likened to Xavi due to his playing style. 'Look, he’s an extraordinary player. Don’t skimp on the praise for him,' Xavi said. 'He’s a player that excites me and one that can make a difference.' Reuters

Ansu Fati - Spain. Spain certainly have one huge talent on their hands. Having broken several records, his highlights are becoming Barca’s youngest ever goalscorer, and in Champions League history. The 20-year-old, if he can keep himself fit, can certainly make an impact for his country. AP

Ricardo Pepi - USA. The 19-year-old forward is currently on-loan at FC Groningen in the Eredivisie, from German side Augsburg. AP

Sam May

Nov 21, 2022

From Pele in 1958 to Kylian Mbappe in 2018, an astonishing array of talent has graced the turf during the globe's most prestigious football tournament ― the Fifa World Cup.

Many have dazzled on the biggest stage of all, with more certain to follow in Qatar now the tournament has kicked off.

Brazil player salaries: Which World Cup 2022 star earns the most?

Brazil were one of the first contenders to reveal their star-studded line up, as managers began to name their squads a few weeks in advance.

Many of the players will be familiar, but like any big tournament, there will be some who use the stage to make a breakthrough.

Here are the 23 young game-breakers to keep an eye on during the tournament. To see the next image in the gallery above, just swipe.

Updated: November 21, 2022, 10:18 AM

World Cup stars 2022: The 23 new players to watch out for - in pictures

Rodrygo, Bellingham, Gavi and Fati are among the names expected to take the biggest stage in football by storm

The 23 new stars to watch out for at the World Cup