The World Cup, which is held every four years, is undoubtedly a grand event in world football. Now 29 of the 32 teams have confirmed their qualifications, and in addition to the exciting world-class superstars, there are always many up-and-comers in football shining in the World Cup every year. So, in Qatar this year, what are the new football forces that we are looking forward to?
Afina-Gian (Ghana)
In early 2021, Affina-Gian is a relatively unfamiliar name even in his hometown of Ghana. However, in just over a year, he has already been given a heavy responsibility by the state and led the national team to compete with old rival Nigeria for a World Cup spot. The 19-year-old's rapid rise looks set to go on as he continues to develop and establish himself in Roma's first team. It can be difficult to play a starting position for Ghana at the World Cup, especially after andré Ayo's return, but Afina Gian will certainly be on a plane to Qatar.
Bellingham (England)
Bellingham has the potential not only to play a role in England's world cup, but also to become one of their stars. Southgate's side is one of the most popular, in part because talented players like Bellingham can't even be sure of their place in the squad. However, the Dortmund midfielder has begun to show his ability on the international stage and the question now is when he will be the starter, not whether he will be the starter. Already the youngest player to represent the Three Lions in major international tournaments, Sky is the limit for 18-year-old Bellingham, and the Qatar World Cup provides the perfect stage for him to show the world how good he will be.
Garvey (Spain)
Garvey's journey from a little-known Barcelona youth star to a regular starter for Spain in just nine months is well worth a look, and now a place in the World Cup is almost certain. The midfielder, who came out of La Masia, is hailed as one of the best players in the world of his generation, on a par with his coach at Camp Nou, Harvey. His partnership with Pedri has grown stronger at club and national and hopes That Garvey will follow in the footsteps of his team-mates and use an important international event to truly establish himself in football for a global audience. Luis Enrique has shown that he is not afraid to make bold choice decisions, but choosing the 17-year-old for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will no longer be seen as a risk.
Abdul-Fatavu-Isahaku (Ghana)
Although Abdul Fatawu-Ishaku is barely known at the moment, his talent is unquestionable and he will certainly occupy a place in football in the future. Since 16-year-old Isahakku won best player in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, he has become a potential star in the sport. He has agreed to move to Sporting Portugal in the summer and his talent has allowed him to be trusted to start in Ghana's play-off win over Nigeria. Isahakur, 18, a rocket-like left-footed general, is expected to board a plane to Qatar in November 2022.
Kozlovski (Poland)
Kozlowski, Poland's youngest ever appearance at the European Championship, is now eyeing Poland's World Cup squad after Poland qualified for the World Cup with a victory over Sweden. Kozlowski, who did not play in the play-offs, was recently relegated to the U21 national team, although this was due to his lack of playing time after leaving junior club Szczecin Bogon in January. Brighton bought the 18-year-old midfielder for £8m and then loaned him to Saint-Gilles United, but Belgium have been reluctant to change the team's starting line-up as they are on the verge of winning the league title by a surprising margin. Either way, Kozlowski is hoping to play regularly at the start of the 2022-23 season, either at Brighton or at another loan club, which will allow him to enter Qatar's squad.
Megèbri (Tunisia)
Mejebry's decision to switch from France to Tunisia in 2021 has undoubtedly paid off, and the Manchester United midfielder is now a full member of the African team. The 19-year-old made his appearance in the 2021 Arab Cup final and also appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations a few months later, although he has yet to reach the first team at Old Trafford. The former Monaco Academy star is expected to have a chance to break through in Manchester United before the end of the year, which will certainly help him consolidate his position on the plane to Qatar.
Musharra (Germany)
While it is possible for him to enter the England national team now if Musharra decides to represent the Three Lions, his decision to play for Germany means he will almost certainly have a place in their World Cup plans. The Bayern Munich rising star is clearly a favorite of Flick, with the national team boss recently following Nagelsmann's lead in trying to make Musharra a more backward midfielder. The results are encouraging, but whether in possession midfield or further ahead, the 19-year-old will certainly have a chance to shine in Qatar.
Ricardo Pepi (USA)
Despite the worrying goal drought of Ricardo Pepi, who has not scored for club or national team since October last year, he remains firmly behind Greg Burhalt's plans, the U.S. first entry into the World Cup since 2014. Pepi got off to a good start to the U.S. national team, but his form has declined since his move to Augsburg and life in German football is not yet suitable for the former Dallas FC star. Such a state can be forgiven given his 19-year-old age, and while Pepi may no longer be a core member of the U.S. national team, given his talent and ability, he is basically able to guarantee a ticket to Qatar.
Lensch (Netherlands)
Rensch's performances at Ajax in 2020-21 were impressive, having been put into the starting line-up by Louis van Gaal after starting his third appearance for the Netherlands in September. The defender continued his excellent form, but his lack of a consistent first-team start in the Eredivisie champions this season meant he was back with the Dutch U21 national team. However, with Mazlawi set to leave Ajax this summer, Lensch should be able to step up to fill the gap at right-back. The 19-year-old has the potential to start consecutive starts between now and the World Cup kick-off, meaning he still has the potential to be named into Qatar's squad, even if he's not currently on the radar.
Florian-Wiltz (Germany)
If it weren't for a knee injury in early March, Florian Wiltz would have been part of Germany's World Cup squad, and that's how much he's had in the Bundesliga this season. Bayer Leverkusen's midfielder has contributed 24 goals directly in 31 games in 2021-22, but now he is facing a long period of injury recovery. Germany team leader Bierhoff said he was "fully confident" that Wertz would be able to catch up on the November World Cup in time, meaning his World Cup journey would still be bright if he could prove his physical condition. The World Cup in Qatar will undoubtedly be an important opportunity for Wertz to go global – and we can only hope that this will remain the case.
Other rising stars who are expected to participate
Eight months is a long time in football, so many teenage talentes still have time to accelerate their development so much that they are on the run for Qatar in 2022. Had it not been for the ankle injury in September, Harvey Elliott might have been fighting for a place in the England national team. In fact, the Liverpool midfielder recently made his debut for the U21 national team, but his more formidable performances with Klopp may have caught Southgate's attention. Juventus striker Matthias Soller has been called up to Argentina several times in the past year, but it is thought to be more about giving him the opportunity to train with the best players in the world than for him to go to Qatar. The same is true of Manchester United's Alejandro Ganacgio, one of a group of dual nationals called up by Argentina in March, with the goal of convincing a group of European-born teenagers to represent them.