The tournament gets underway in Moscow on Thursday when the hosts take on Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium, but big stars are hoping to lead their countries to glory in Russia and this is how they are shaping for the main event?
Modric remains a key figure for Real Madrid and he will be vital for perennial dark horses Croatia in Russia too. The little midfielder has amassed more than 100 caps for his country, who must navigate a tricky group which contains Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland. If he can pull the strings as effectively as he does at club level, Croatia could go far.