EGYPT – Trezeguet
Nicknamed after the French striker due to an apparent likeness – which takes a leap of faith – Mahmoud Hasan has actually already earned 23 caps for Egypt. But the Kasimpasa midfielder is now pushing for a starting place in Hector Cuper’s side. He’s been linked with a move to Leicester City to replace Riyad Mahrez.
URUGUAY – Rodrigo Bentancur
Joined Juventus from Boca Juniors in 2017, which unsurprisingly also saw him established within Uruguay’s first team. Still only had six caps, but likely to start every group stage game and can basically do any job required in midfield. This kid could be the business.
RUSSIA – Anton Miranchuk
Alexander Golovin is the next Russian star to move to western Europe, but only eight players in Russia’s squad have more caps so he misses out. Miranchuk only made his Lokomotiv Moscow first-team debut in April 2017, but was fast-tracked into the senior international set-up and made his debut only five months later.
SAUDI ARABIA – Abdullah Al-Khaibari
The youngest player in Saudi Arabia’s squad, Al-Khaibari missed out on the sponsored trip to La Liga at the end of last season, which is probably a good thing. Probably won’t start, but a potential game-changer from the bench.