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Stu Holden's top 50 players at World Cup 2022
In November, up to 832 of the best soccer players in the world will travel to Qatar with the hope of lifting the World Cup for their country. Of that group, there's a clear top tier.
To prepare for the 22nd rendition of the tournament and the wealth of talent that will be participating, FOX Sports soccer analyst and former USMNT midfielder Stu Holden is counting down the 50 best players that are expected to be at the 2022 World Cup. This story will be updated as the countdown progresses.
50. Raúl Jiménez
As long as he's fit and in form, Jiménez will be a factor in Mexico's attack.
Will Tata count on Jiménez?
49. Yunus Musah
Only 19 years old, Yunus Musah can be one of the breakout stars of this year's World Cup.
Yunus Musah is invaluable to USA
48. Hirving Lozano
Chucky Lozano brings a level of experience and reliability to a young Mexico team.
Chucky Lozano is the key for Mexico
Following a health scare at Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen's return to the World Cup with Denmark promises to be something special.
Christian Eriksen is back
46. Timo Werner
It's going to take a lot to beat Germany if Timo Werner is finishing his chances in Qatar.
Timo Werner is Germany's X-Factor
If France are better in 2022 than they were in 2018, it's likely that Aurélien Tchouaméni will be one of the main reasons.
France have a young star in Aurélien Tchouaméni
44. Darwin Núñez
Can Liverpool's £85 million man breathe new life into an aging Uruguay side?
Uruguay found their new No. 9
43. Édouard Mendy
Édouard Mendy's stock can continue its rapid ascent with a strong showing at the World Cup.
Mendy makes Senegal scary
42. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale finally got Wales back to the World Cup — now the real work begins for the five-time Champions League winner.
Can Bale deliver Wales a World Cup?
41. Weston McKennie
McKennie is the engine that makes the USMNT go.
McKennie's energy is vital for the U.S.
40. Memphis Depay
The Netherlands will heavily rely on Depay — their star striker — for goals at the World Cup.
Depay is Holland's star striker
Pulisic has stepped up for the USMNT on the international stage time and time again. Will he do it again at the World Cup?
Christian Pulisic is "Captain America"
38. Kingsley Coman
After missing out on the fun in 2018, Kingsley Coman will finally get the chance to make his mark on France at the World Cup.
Coman strengthens France's attack
Knunku can reach superstar status with a strong showing at the World Cup.
France's super-sub
36. Antonio Rüdiger
Nothing will come easy for Germany's opponents with Antonio Rüdiger leading the back line.
Germany's enforcer
35. Rodri
Rodri isn't the flashiest player in Spain's midfield, but his role is vital to its success.
Spain's defensive stalwart
34. Dušan Vlahović
Serbia finally have a star striker to lead their formidable attack.
Serbia's star man
After completing a move to Manchester United in the summer, Martinez will face his biggest challenge yet: leading Argentina's defense at the World Cup.
Argentina's defensive anchor
32. Gavi
Gavi was this year's Golden Boy winner. Will he also nab Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup?
Spain's second Golden Boy
31. Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva raises the ceiling of Portugal's attack with his perfect passing.
Portugal's playmaking master
30. Ángel Di María
Di María's proven track record at the World Cup will be valuable to Argentina's attack.
Argentina's veteran winger
29. Frenkie De Jong
Frenkie De Jong will be flying all from end-to-end in the Dutch's midfield.
The Dutch's engine
28. Rodrigo De Paul
De Paul has an important role to play in Argentina's midfield, and it's not just protecting Lionel Messi at all costs.
Argentina's enforcer
27. Marquinhos
Marquinhos will lead Brazil from the back at the World Cup.
Brazil's defensive leader
26. Alphonso Davies
There's no slowing down the Canadian superstar.
Canada's silver bullet
25. Alisson
Along with their tried and true defense, Brazil will have one of the best shot-stoppers in the world in their goal at the World Cup.
Brazil's Allison: No. 25 | Stu Holden's Top 50 Players in the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup
24. Bruno Fernandes
Between Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, Portugal's strikers will have no shortage of opportunities in front of goal.
Portugal's midfield maestro
23. Rúben Dias
After being buried on the bench at the 2018 World Cup, Rúben Dias will be one of the top center-backs at the 2022 World Cup.
Portugal's brick wall
22. Romelu Lukaku
If healthy, Big Rom will have the opportunity to show how he got his nickname.
Belgium's target man
21. Phil Foden
Phil Foden's first World Cup promises to be a memorable one.
England's present and future.
20. Thomas Müller
After disappointing at the 2018 World Cup, Thomas Müller can finally get his legendary World Cup career back on track.
Germany's master or movement
19. Lautaro Martínez
The shifty striker will make Argentina's attack more dynamic.
Argentina's dart
18. Casemiro
You can expect Casemiro to bring some grit to Brazil's midfield.
Brazil's defensive star
17. Thibaut Courtois
Courtois' acrobatic saves will be back on the World Cup stage.
Belgium's big blocker
16. Sadio Mané
Mané will miss the World Cup due to a leg injury.
Senegal's Sadio Mané
15. Raheem Sterling
Sterling has enjoyed plenty of success at the club level — can he finally replicate it at the international level?
England's Raheem Sterling
14. Son Heung-min
South Korea's smiley star will try lead to his team out of a tough group that features Portugal, Ghana and Uruguay.
South Korea's Son Heung-Min
13. Pedri
Despite being just 19 years old, Pedri is arguably Spain's most important player at the World Cup.
Spain's Pedri
12. Luka Modrić
Modrić was the Golden Ball winner at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Can he replicate that success four years later at the age of 37?
Croatia's Luka Modric
11. Harry Kane
The Golden Boot-winner in 2018, Harry Kane is expected to pour on goals in a group that's not known for its defense.
England's Harry Kane
10. Virgil van Dijk
The Netherlands' back line is one of the most feared in the world and van Dijk is the main reason.
Netherland's Virgil Van Djik
Kimmich's first World Cup was one to forget. Can his second one make up for it?
Germany's Joshua Kimmich
Vinicius's breakout with Real Madrid at the club level will almost surely be followed by a breakout on the world stage.
razil's Vinicius Junior
There's no question as to whether Lewandowski will score goals. The question is: will it be enough to get Poland past the group stage?
Poland's Robert Lewandowski
At 31 years old, this might be Kevin de Bruyne's last chance to get Belgium to the World Cup Final.
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne
5. Neymar
Neymar has all the surrounding talent he needs to win the World Cup, but so do the other top teams at the tournament.
Brazil's Neymar
Can Ronaldo bounce back from a nightmare start to the Premier League season?
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo
A worthy Ballon d'Or winner, Benzema faces his greatest challenge yet: making the reigning World Cup champions better without stepping on anyone's — namely Kylian Mbappe's — toes.
France's Karim Benzema
2. Lionel Messi
A World Cup win would cement Lionel Messi's status as the greatest soccer player of his generation, and maybe of all time.
Argentina's Lionel Messi
Mbappé bustedt onto the scene at the 2018 World Cup and left with the trophy. How will his 2022 campaign compare?
France's Kylian Mbappé
More World Cup coverage:
- World Cup fan guide
- 101 most memorable tournament moments
- Uniform tracker: Photos of every kit we've seen so far
- 50 reasons to be excited for Qatar
- World Cup odds: Lines for every team to win it all
