Alvaro Odriozola (Spain)
It could be a big summer for the Real Sociedad right-back. He could be an unexpected starter for Spain at the World Cup after Dani Carvajal went off with an injury during the Champions League final. His summer has already started in impressive fashion as he scored a fine volley in a 1-1 friendly draw with Switzerland.
Amine Harit (Morocco)
Harit was named as the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season after an impressive debut campaign with Schalke, playing through the centre as an attacking midfielder. He made 31 Bundesliga appearances, scoring three goals and notching six assists, and only turns 21 three days before Morocco’s Group B opener against Iran. Harit won the European U19 Championship with France in 2016 but decided to play for Morocco, where his parents were born.
Saeid Ezatolahi (Iran)
The Russian-based midfielder has been labelled the ‘Persian Pogba’ and already has 25 caps to his name at the age of 21. He is the Iranian Pro League’s youngest-ever player, having made his debut aged 16 in 2012, and spent a year with Atletico Madrid in 2014/15. The midfielder will, though, miss Iran’s first World Cup game against Morocco due to suspension.
Benjamin Pavard (France)
One of only four Bundesliga players to play every minute of the 2017/18 season, Stuttgart’s Pavard has emerged as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders. He is also versatile, having played at centre-back, right-back and even as a defensive midfielder. “[Lilian] Thuram played in central defence for his club and as a right-back for his country. Why shouldn’t I have a career like him?” he said earlier this year.