World Cup 2022: Seven stars in the making you probably haven't heard of (yet)

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The World Cup has launched so many young careers over the years – from a 17-year-old Pele back in 1958 to Kylian Mbappe helping France emerge victorious in 2018.

Here we picks out seven young players who could announce their arrival on the global stage at Qatar 2022 this winter.

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Julian Alvarez – Argentina

Age 22. One of South America’s most exciting young forwards Alvarez has just signed for Manchester City. A technically gifted and instinctive finisher at River Plate, he caught the eye of Pep Guardiola. Alvarez is currently back on loan at his Argentine club and his performances for the national side have impressed too. Argentina are perhaps due a big World Cup – it could be Lionel Messi’s last – Julian Alvarez could help make it special.

Matias Arezo – Uruguay

Age 19. Another South American starlet is Matias Arezo – nicknamed “the buffalo” – many see him as the natural successor to Luis Suarez. Powerfully built – hence the nickname – with plenty of goals under his belt he could be one of the breakout stars of the tournament. Currently playing for Granada in Spain – there are plenty of big clubs keeping Arezo on their radar.

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Mohammed Daramy – Denmark

Aged 20. The young winger made his name at FC Copenhagen before moving to Amsterdam with Ajax. No team should give the creative left sided player much space – he can pull a trick out of nowhere and can glide past defenders with ease. Alongside Christian Eriksen, who of course collapsed on the pitch in the Euros, Daramy means the Danes have an exciting and united team heading to Qatar.

Jude Bellingham – England

Aged 18. Bellingham plays his club football in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and has made a big impression on the Bundesliga. Gareth Southgate clearly has faith in Stourbridge born Bellingham, who started out at his hometown club, Birmingham City. He’s already proved that the international stage does not faze him. Qatar 2022 could come just at the right time for him to really shine, along with Phil Foden, in an England side that made the semi-finals in Russia in 2018.

Luka Sučic – Croatia

Aged 19. National hero Luka Modric has led Croatia to some famous World Cup wins – most famously taking them all the way to the final in Russia in 2018. There is now though a probable successor in the Croatian ranks. RB Salzburg’s Luka Sučic was born in Austria to his Bosnian Croat parents, and grew up trying to play like Modric. He’s a threat either on the right of midfield or through the middle, with his range of passing and ability to burst through defenders making him an exciting prospect.

Karim Adeyemi – Germany

Age 20. Another forward who broke through at Salzburg is Germany’s Karim Adeyemi. A powerful striker who can accelerate with ease, Adeyemi scored on his debut for the national team. Born to Nigerian and Romanian parents Adeyemi is part of a new generation of German sides hoping to emulate the great success of previous generations. After a disappointing Euros last summer, where they lost to England at Wembley, the Germans have a point to prove. Adeyemi might help them make it.

Ansu Fati – Spain

Age 19. Fati can play in pretty much any forward position and is already a star at Barcelona. Born in Guinea-Bissau in Africa his family moved to Europe when he was six. He has only made four appearances for Spain so far but is widely predicted to have a big future. In the first match he started for the national side he found the net to become Spain’s youngest-ever goal scorer.