The World Cup is tournament where legends are made and young guns earn their spurs, coming to global attention in front of a captivated watching audience.
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The finals in Qatar should be no different, with some players going on to much bigger things after the tournament having starred for their national teams on the greatest stage.
There are any number of young players who could make the breakthrough, but we pick five who could use this competition as a springboard.
LOÏS OPENDA (BELGIUM)
Age: 22
Club: Lens, France
Openda only made his Belgium debut in June when he scored in a 6-1 thrashing of Poland, but could have a growing importance for the side.
That is because of the injury to Romelu Lukaku, which has put his competition in doubt and will likely see him at the very least miss Belgium’s first two games.
The experience of Michy Batshuayi will probably see him start, but Openda could well come off the bench and his form for Lens this season warrants it with seven goals in 11 starts in Ligue 1.
Born to DR Congo and Moroccan parents, the latter wanted him to play at this World Cup for them but he chose the land of bis birth, Belgium.
XAVI SIMONS (NETHERLANDS)
Age: 19
Club: PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
The teenager has yet to win a cap for the Netherlands, but such has been his form for PSV Eindhoven this season that he forced his way into their World Cup squad.
Born in Amsterdam, he was developed through the academies of Barcelona and Paris St Germain, making his debut for the French giants last year.
That is a tough place for a teenager to win gametime though and he sealed a move top PSV ahead of this season, where he has been a revelation, scoring eight goals in 14 appearances in the Eredvisie.
His father, Regillio Simons, is a former striker in the Dutch top flight. The World Cup would be a magical place for Xavi to make his international debut.
NICOLAS JACKSON (SENEGAL)
Age: 21
Club: Villarreal, Spain
Attacking midfielder Jackson was born in The Gambia but raised in Senegal, who he has represented at junior international level.
He joined the Villarreal youth set-up in 2019 and after playing for their ‘B’ side, made the step up to the first team last year having also been on loan to Mirandés.
He caught the eye of Senegal coach Aliou Cisse with some superb displays in this campaign and he been taken to Qatar, despite the fact he has yet to win a senior cap.
The pacy youngster plays predominantly on the right wing and has been given the number seven shirt in the Senegal squad.
PIERO HINCAPIE (ECUADOR)
Age: 20
Club: Bayer Leverkusen, Germany
Hincapie has already established himself in the Ecuador national side and is likely to line-up for them at centre-back at the World Cup, but has the chance to display his talent to a wider audience.
He joined German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen last year from Talleres in Argentina, where he had spent a season following his arrival from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle.
The 20-year-old has long been touted as a talent in his homeland and was previously captain of their Under-17 side. Many see him as the future of the skipper of the senior national team too.
LUKA SUCIC (CROATIA)
Age: 20
Club: RB Salzburg, Austria
The young midfielder has been a star in the making for some time and already has almost 120 club appearances under his belt despite only just turning 20.
Born in Austria after his parents fled the Bosnian War, he has opted to play for Croatia having declared Luka Modric to be his idol. Now he gets to line up alongside him at a World Cup.
The industrious midfielder already has an excellent reputation at Salzburg and it seems only a matter of time before he makes a big money move elsewhere, which could be hastened by a strong showing at the World Cup.
He made his international debut in October last year having starred in the Croatia Under-21 side.