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Many of the players on this list may never go to the World Cup, but in the world of football injuries or other circumstances can force teams to introduce some surprise inclusions. All these youngsters could get an opportunity to shine for their nation in Russia, but could they come through as being big name young talents and force through a big move after the tournament?
Nationality: Russia
Name: Aleksandr Zuev Club: FC Rostov on loan from Spartak Moscow Age: 21 Position: Winger International Appearances: 0 Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 3/10 Potential: 4/10 The Kazakhstan born Winger is eligible to play for Russia. More of an inside forward than a winger, the twenty-one year old is performing well for his loanee club, scoring twice and assisting twice. He’s played eighteen times for Rostov, tallying up 874 minutes, taking him to nearly ten full matches. His impressive start for Rostov isn’t setting Russia alight just yet, but with an ageing international squad and any potential injuries, Zuev could find himself going to the World Cup should his form continue.
Nationality: Saudi Arabia Name: Ayman Al Khulaif Club: Al Ahli Age: 20 Position: Midfielder International Appearances: 0 Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 5/10 Potential: 4/10 A pacy player with great ball control and dribbling abilities. Al Khulaif is part of a new batch of talent coming out of Saudi Arabia. For many of us outsiders, we see a league that brings in ageing talent, but the nation itself has seen major benefits from these big name stars joining their leagues. There’s more interest in football and now Saudi Arabia are starting to develop some decent young players. This is Saudi Arabia’s fifth time in the World Cup Finals and should their youth develop, they could be a mainstay from here on out. It’s very rare for a player under twenty-four to play for the national team. Al Khulaif suffered an injury at the U20 World Cup finals last summer which has run on for longer than expected, but should he come back in time, he’ll be an option for Al Ahli. With his pace and dribbling he could impress international boss Juan Antonio Pizzi.
Nationality: Egypt
Name: Karim Hafez Club: RC Lens on loan from Lierse SK Age: 21 Position: Left-Back International Appearances: 3 Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 3/10 Potential: 6/10 Karim Hafez is a player who looks like he could impress given the right circumstances. He’s a become regular for Ligue 2 side Lens, with his biggest issue being that he is in Ligue 2. With Egypt currently in their golden generation, players nearing or in their prime have ensured that this current Egypt side could be a threat at the World Cup. With Aston Villa’s Elmohamady at left-back, Hafez has tough competition, despite his form for Lens this season being very impressive. Utilised as more of an attacking wingback, Hafez is a major threat going forward. Should the national team suffer injury setbacks at the back, Hafez could find himself going to the World Cup and perhaps parent club Lierse will finally use him. Or maybe he’ll engineer a move to a more recognisable club.
Nationality: Uruguay Name: Fede Valverde Club: Deportivo La Coruña on loan from Real Madrid Age: 19 Position: Midfielder International Appearances: 3 Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 6/10 Potential: 8/10 The Real Madrid midfielder was loaned out to fellow La Liga club Deportivo La Coruña. He’s only appeared five times for Deportivo (as of writing this article), but this year he’s also made three appearances for his nation and even scored a goal. Real Madrid have high hopes for Valverde and they’ll be hoping he’ll be a long term replacement for Toni Kroos in a good four or five years time. While Valverde has impressed playing for Uruguay, if he’s to go to the World Cup, he will need to get more playing time for Deportivo.
Nationality: Portugal Name: Gonçalo Guedes Club: Valencia on loan from Paris Saint-Germain Age: 21 Position: Forward
International Appearances: 4
Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 5/10 Potential: 9/10 Fans of FIFA will be familiar with this pacy wide man or striker. With PSG signing Neymar in the summer the club loaned out Guedes to Valencia in order guarantee game time for the youngster. Playing on the left for Valencia, Guedes is a regular in the team that’s currently second in La Liga. Having played in eleven of their fourteen games this season, Guedes has three goals to his name and five assists, an assist statistic only bettered by Celta Vigo’s Pione Sisto (8) and Real Betis’ Andrés Guardado (6). Portugal have an influx of wide men at all age groups (perhaps something to do with legends such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo), so competition is tough for Guedes. With such good performances in arguably the best league in the world, however, Guedes could force his way into the Portuguese World Cup squad. With Valencia in excellent form and PSG set to buy Mbappé in the summer, Guedes may have to be sold and it wouldn’t be surprising if a big Premier League club signed him up at what may very well be a reduced fee.
Nationality: Spain Name: Dani Ceballos Club: Real Madrid Age: 21 Position: Midfielder International Appearances: 0 Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 4/10 Potential: 9/10 It goes without saying that Spain have an incredibly impressive squad. They’ve recently experimented with their squad with Luis Alberto and Suso getting their international debuts. Both players have had impressive seasons at Lazio and Milan respectively, whilst Real Madrid new-boy Dani Ceballos has played considerably well in his five appearances for Los Blancos. In the last two years, Ceballos has played twenty-two times for Spain’s U21s. In England, U21 appearances usually amount to nothing, but for the Spanish, it usually means you will make it into the senior team. With Iniesta, Busquets, David Silva, Isco, Thiago, Koke, and Asensio expecting to be on a flight to Russia, the rest of the midfield spots could be filled by a number of players and they’re all at a similar level. Should Real Madrid continue to be inconsistent, Ceballos could see his game time increase, which only helps him gain the attention of Spain manager Julen Lopetegui, and a potential place in the Spain squad could be in the works.
Nationality: Morocco Name: Amine Harit Club: Schalke 04 Age: 20 Position: Attacking Midfielder International Appearances: 2 Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 8/10 Potential: 8/10 Amine Harit played for five different youth teams before breaking into Nantes’ first team last season. Playing thirty times for the French outfit, Schalke bought the wide man in the summer. At Schalke, who sit third in the Bundesliga having played fourteen games, Harit has slotted in right at home, having played in thirteen of those fourteen games, managing two goals and an impressive four assists. His 944 minutes round his thirteen appearances to just over ten full matches. The Schalke regular has found his stride in the Bundesliga, as his impressive form has earned him two international caps this year. I expect the twenty year old to be on the plane to Russia and perhaps even starting for Morocco, capturing the attention of the world.
Nationality: Iran Name: Saeid Aghaei Club: Sepahan Age: 22 Position: Left-Back International Appearances: 3 Likelihood of going to the World Cup: 6/10 Potential: 3/10 The Iranian left-back (who can also play as a Winger) has spent his entire career playing in Persia. He’s been named in the squad for Iran’s most recent international games and his form for current club Sepahan could see him in Iran’s World Cup squad proper. Unlikely to be a starter, Aghaei will likely only gain opportunities if a teammate suffers an injury. He may not be a player with the high standards of talent that elite European Leagues tend to look for, but his determination and hard work is admirable and could make him a cult hero should he get the opportunity to play at the World Cup.