We’ve ranked all the teams; now it’s time for the players to take center stage. As we close in on the opening kickoff at the World Cup, here are the 20 brightest stars who’ll be on display in Qatar over the next month.
20. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Age: 37 | Position: Forward | Club: Manchester United
Yes, he’s low on this list. But over the first half of the club season, he contributed more to Britain’s tabloid newspapers than he did on the football pitch. His power waned, and his moral standing appears pretty loose-footed. And, most crucially, Manchester United appear to be better off without him. So, the scene might be set for Ronaldo to write the greatest chapter of his career.
19. Phil Foden (England)
Age: 22 | Position: Midfielder | Club: Manchester City
It’s a crime that Foden isn’t an automatic starter for England. Gareth Southgate’s preferred formation often leaves the silky Manchester City man fighting with a host of other talented options to play in support of Harry Kane. If given a consistent opportunity in Qatar, though, the Stockport native will deliver when it counts, just as he does at club level for Pep Guardiola.
18. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Age: 30 | Position: Goalkeeper | Club: Real Madrid
Some love for the goalkeepers. Courtois, in rather confounding fashion, continues to insist that he doesn’t receive enough respect within the football world. At this point, it’s clear the Belgian uses any perceived slight as motivation. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working. The lanky netminder figures to be busier than usual as he backstops an aging Belgian defense this month. With more scoring chances to deny, maybe he’ll get the praise he seeks.
Bellingham was a project. Birmingham City recognized the talent they had and made an effort to make him a Swiss army knife in midfield: a No. 6, a No. 8, a No. 10, and – while we’re at it – someone who can do a job on the flank. It was ambitious, and it was a rip-roaring success. Borussia Dortmund have one of the finest young players on the planet, and if Southgate has any sense, he’ll be one of England’s main men in Qatar.
Canada’s hopes of making waves at the World Cup – the country’s first since 1986 – rest largely on the state of Davies’ hamstring. One of the most explosive players on the planet, Davies is working hard to recover ahead of Les Rouges’ opener against Belgium, where he’ll look to wreak havoc from the more advanced attacking position he occupies with the national team.
15. Joao Cancelo (Portugal)
Age: 28 | Position: Full-back | Club: Manchester City
Full-backs aren’t supposed to be capable of the things that Cancelo accomplishes with ease. His passing ability is more akin to a No. 10, while he recognizes openings and charges forward to pounce on them like an old-school winger. It gives Portugal, already loaded in the traditional attacking areas, another player who can change the game in an instant.
How far would a team of 11 Kimmich clones progress at the World Cup? That we’re even asking the question is a testament to the cerebral German’s versatility. Not only is he comfortable in all three areas of the pitch, but he can also thrive no matter the task. A jack of all trades is supposed to be a master of none. Kimmich lays waste to that theory.
13. Bernardo Silva (Portugal)
Age: 28 | Position: Attacking midfielder | Club: Manchester City
Silva – or “Bubblegum,” as he’s nicknamed by his club teammates – has an incredible knack for making the ball stick while he squirms through the tightest of spaces. He offers versatility – he can operate out wide and in any central midfield role – and regularly covers more ground than anybody else. Though some of his Manchester City teammates demand more attention, Silva is incredibly important to Guardiola’s side.
12. Pedri (Spain)
Age: 19 | Position: Midfielder | Club: Barcelona
Pedri is calm personified on the pitch. Everything he does looks effortless. Certain players have an innate ability to always make the right decision on the ball. Not many of them – if any – are teenagers, which makes the Spaniard’s sumptuous skill set even more impressive. Even for a Spanish side that values the collective over the individual, Pedri still shines.
11. Son Heung-Min (South Korea)
Age: 30 | Position: Forward | Club: Tottenham Hotspur
As one of the few players at the World Cup capable of deciding matches on his own, a healthy Son would arguably be among the must-watch players in Qatar. Unfortunately, a broken eye socket has threatened to sideline him for South Korea’s first game. If he recovers, the prolific Tottenham scorer, who said he’s willing to “risk” his health, could lead a vastly improved South Korea side out of the group stage.
10. Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Age: 31 | Position: Central defender | Club: Liverpool
A strong showing at the World Cup could do wonders for Van Dijk. After going through somewhat of a rough patch during Liverpool’s poor start to the season, the imposing Netherlands center-back, 31, will get a chance to revive his season and prove he’s still one of the world’s best defenders when he stars in the heart of Louis van Gaal’s back line at his first-ever World Cup.
9. Harry Kane (England)
Age: 29 | Position: Striker | Club: Tottenham Hotspur
It doesn’t feel like Kane has been at his absolute best this season, but he’s still scored 12 goals and added an assist over 15 Premier League appearances. Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte said his striker is “really tired” ahead of England’s World Cup campaign, but he’ll lead the Three Lions in Qatar and expect to challenge for the Golden Boot. He won the award in 2018 for his six strikes in Russia.
8. Vinicius Junior (Brazil)
Age: 22 | Position: Winger | Club: Real Madrid
Given how much Vinicius Jr. has improved and developed into a world-class attacker at Real Madrid, the 22-year-old could be primed to make himself a household name with a breakout performance in Qatar. Of Brazil’s enviable cast of rising stars, Vinicius is conceivably the most electric and talented of the bunch. If he plays regularly under Tite and helps Brazil capture its sixth World Cup, Vinicius will etch his name in the history books alongside iconic compatriots such as Pele, Romario, and Ronaldo.
7. Luka Modric (Croatia)
Age: 37 | Position: Midfielder | Club: Real Madrid
Does Modric know about the depressing, eroding realities of time? Clearly not. At 37, the Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder still has the slipperiness and technical brilliance that set him apart earlier in his career, but now he combines that with an assurance built on the pile of trophies he’s helped his club win over the past decade-and-a-half. We’ll miss him when he’s gone – if he ever retires, that is.
6. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Age: 34 | Position: Striker | Club: Barcelona
Few teams rely as heavily on a singular talisman as Poland, which will again look to Lewandowski in its bid to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1986. The veteran striker arrives in Qatar in inspired form, bringing his prolific Bayern Munich ways with him to Barcelona, where he’s already scored 18 goals in all competitions after an opulent summer transfer.
5. Neymar (Brazil)
Age: 30 | Position: Forward | Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Headlining the most balanced team in the tournament comes with immense pressure, particularly when that team is Brazil, but Neymar seems better equipped to handle that burden now than at any other point in his career. More mature, fit, and in great form, the Selecao No. 10 could overtake Pele as Brazil’s all-time top scorer during the World Cup.
4. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Age: 35 | Position: Forward | Club: Paris Saint-Germain
The story writes itself. Messi, who says Qatar will be his final World Cup, has never looked more at one with his national team. There’s an ease to his play for Argentina now, a comfort level that has developed since Lionel Scaloni took over. Playing for the Albiceleste was once a grating chore for Messi. Now it’s liberating. That should make the rest of the field very nervous.
3. Karim Benzema (France)
Age: 34 | Position: Striker | Club: Real Madrid
Since Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018, Benzema has become so much more. He took the mantle as a leader and notched career bests in goals (27) and assists (12) in league football last season. His hold-up play also remains vastly underrated: His movement and deft flicks create so many openings for Real Madrid, and he’ll do exactly the same for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann with France.
2. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Age: 31 | Position: Midfielder | Club: Manchester City
De Bruyne’s right foot is ridiculous. No other footballer can pass with the same whip and penetration as the Belgian. Add in his work rate – when things aren’t going for his team, he’ll hack and harry to turn the tide – and the way he powers forward, chest out, during counterattacks, and you have the best midfielder on the globe. It’s as simple as that.
1. Kylian Mbappe (France)
Age: 23 | Position: Forward | Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Four years ago in Russia, a 19-year-old Mbappe was ascending the ranks at the same breakneck speed with which he operates on the pitch. Now, he’s atop the mountain, firmly established as the most unstoppable attacking force in world football. Still only 23, leading Les Bleus to consecutive World Cup titles would solidify his status as a French icon.
Honorable mentions: Federico Valverde, Jamal Musiala, Frenkie De Jong, Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes
Breaking down thrilling EPL title race with 10 games left
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One of the most intoxicating title races in Premier League history is, mercifully, ready to resume.
The quirks of the calendar – an FA Cup weekend succeeded by an agonizing international window – means the titanic tussle between Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City will have been on hiatus for a full three weeks before it gets back underway on Sunday.
But there are no more impending interruptions. With 10 matches remaining for each title contender, we’re barreling toward a resolution to the type of three-way battle that’s exceedingly rare in England’s top flight. There’s never been a season in the Premier League era where three teams went into the final day with a chance to hoist the trophy. This could be it. The last time it happened was the 1971-72 campaign, when Derby County won an incredible four-team fight, narrowly beating Leeds United and, ominously, Liverpool and Man City to the crown. We’re overdue for that kind of drama.
That three sides have converged this way at all is, frankly, remarkable.
These are the three best teams in the country by an enormous margin. They’re the only ones with an expected goal difference per game of plus-1.0 or greater this season. The next best mark, surprisingly, belongs to Mauricio Pochettino’s erratic Chelsea team at plus-0.36. So, yeah, it’s not close.
The three of them are also on a tear and show no signs of slowing down. Arsenal have won all eight of their league games in 2024, scoring 33 goals in the process; Liverpool have collected 22 of a possible 27 points in that time; reigning champions Manchester City have racked up 23 of 27 points. They’ve combined for just one loss since the calendar flipped – Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in early February.
The only sides that look capable of halting their progress are each other, which makes this weekend’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad all the more significant.
Euro 2024 playoffs: Miraculous Ukraine comeback, big result for Wales
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Wales, Greece, and Poland registered statement wins Thursday, joining three other teams in next Tuesday’s playoff finals for the three remaining places at Euro 2024.
Ukraine staged an incredible late comeback against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its semifinal to keep its Euro dream alive.
The highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings that’s no longer in contention to reach the tournament in Germany is 60th-placed Finland.
Here’s how the playoff semifinals across Path A, B, and C played out.
Path A
Mateusz Slodkowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Poland 5-1 Estonia
Estonia barely stood a chance. Down to 10 men as early as the 27th minute, the northern Europeans could only muster a consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Poland. The Polish achieved the rout without Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet and remain unbeaten in 21 Euro qualifiers at home, a magnificent run dating back to September 2006. Poland is trying to make up for a poor qualifying campaign in which it finished third in Group E, four points behind the Czech Republic and Albania. The country hasn’t missed the Euros since 2004.
Wales 4-1 Finland
The Red Wall might descend on Germany this summer. Wales’ raucous supporters have legitimate hopes of traveling to another major tournament after the Dragons scorched Finland without the retired Gareth Bale and with Aaron Ramsey, 33, on the bench after more injury problems. Teemu Pukki gave the visiting team some hope just before halftime following well-taken finishes from David Brooks and Neco Williams. But Wales needed just 73 seconds of the second period to restore its two-goal cushion via Brennan Johnson’s tap-in. Daniel James took advantage of a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper in the 86th minute to give the host a resounding victory.
Playoff final: Wales vs. Poland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path B
David Balogh – UEFA / UEFA / Getty
Israel 1-4 Iceland
Iceland’s Albert Gudmundsson stole the show with an emphatic hat-trick against Israel on Thursday. His stunning free-kick into the top right corner canceled out Eran Zahavi’s opening goal for Israel, and he created a nice cushion for his country with a pair of markers in the final 10 minutes. Just before that, Zahavi blew an incredible opportunity to equalize the match at 2-2, missing a penalty awarded for handball against Iceland’s Gudmundur Thorarinsson. A red card to Israel’s Haim Revivo didn’t help the trailing side. Iceland is now a game away from making only its second-ever appearance at the Euros following its quarterfinal run in 2016.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine
Ukraine scored twice with just minutes remaining in regulation to snatch what seemed to be a sure victory from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Bosnia controlled play for most of the match and took the lead in the 56th minute when Mykola Matviyenko turned in Amar Dedic’s shot into his own net. But a colossal defensive lapse cost the Bosnians a chance to make it a record four countries from the former Yugoslavia at Euro 2024. Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to equalize in the 85th minute and teed up Artem Dovbyk’s sensational winning header three minutes later to turn the playoff semifinal on its head. Ukraine now faces Iceland with a third consecutive Euro appearance at stake.
Playoff final: Ukraine vs. Iceland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path C
GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE / AFP / Getty
Georgia 2-0 Luxembourg
Two clever finishes from Budu Zivzivadze in Tbilisi assured Georgia of a place in Path C’s final – and all without the help of suspended talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But it wasn’t that simple for the host. Luxembourg thought it equalized during the second half, only for the goal to be eventually snatched away due to Maxime Chanot’s apparent foul 45 seconds earlier. Luxembourg’s Chanot was controversially sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Zivzivadze effectively ended the match six minutes later with his second strike. Kvaratskhelia is available for the final.
Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan
Anastasios Bakasetas lashed home a penalty, Dimitrios Pelkas headed into the net’s roof, Fotis Ioannidis tapped in from close range, and Dimitrios Kourbelis added another header. And that was all before halftime. Kazakhstan’s impressive 2022-23 Nations League campaign and notable Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Denmark, Northern Ireland (twice), and Finland suddenly seemed ages ago, as Greece recorded its biggest halftime lead since October 1978 (5-0 against Finland). Aleksandr Marochkin’s embarrassing own goal in the 85th minute made Kazakhstan’s day even worse.
Playoff final: Georgia vs. Greece, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. ET
Look: Nike unveils beautiful kit selection for Euro 2024, Copa America
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Nike released a stunning batch of threads ahead of Euro 2024 and Copa America on Monday.
Days after Adidas launched its lineup for the summer’s top two tournaments, Nike followed suit with an array of colorful designs.
The U.S. manufacturer also announced redesigns for Canada and Poland, even though they’ve yet to qualify for their respective tournaments. The Canucks face Trinidad and Tobago in a one-off Copa America qualifier on Saturday, while Poland must navigate a four-team playoff to reach Euro 2024.
(All images courtesy of Nike)
Euro 2024
Croatia
Home
The square-shaped design that gives Croatia its unique look gets a slight upgrade. The home shirt features larger squares than ever before.
Away
Croatia’s away shirt plays on the national flag, with the traditional checkered pattern now on a slant.
England
Home
Influenced by England’s 1966 training gear, the home shirt has a classic feel with a rich blue collar and gorgeous trim along the cuffs.
Away
England embraces a deep purple hue for its away selection. The crest stands out with a contrasting off-white tint that makes the three lions pop.
France
Home
France’s home shirt may have the biggest crest of all of Nike’s offerings. The oversized rooster defines this shirt as much as the royal blue that’s made France’s kits a crowd-pleaser.
Away
The pinstripes mirror the colors of France’s national flag and span the width of the shirt in a simple, yet elegant design.
Netherlands
Home
Nike could’ve offered anything orange here, and it would’ve been perfect. But the Netherlands has something bolder and better to wear. The zig-zag pattern adds edge.
Away
The orange collar and cuffs pop alongside the three shades of blue Nike has chosen to create the abstract design on this work of art.
Poland
Home
Poland dedicates premium real estate on the country’s home shirt to its imposing crest.
Away
Poland’s away shirt is a daring choice. The graphic treatment adds texture, giving it a rugged feel while separating from the red tones of years past.
Portugal
Home
With possibly the best home shirt in Nike’s collection, Portugal leans heavily into its traditional red-and-green motif with a polo collar and thick cuffs. The logo sits prominently as well. A smash hit.
Away
Here’s another winner. Portugal’s away strip has a stunning textile imprint that gives off a cool summer vibe.
Turkey
Home
This is a menacing look. Turkey will look like a whirring red army with these imposing shirts.
Away
The classic red band returns to Turkey’s away uniform. Like the others, it features an oversized crest in the middle of the shirt.
Copa America
Brazil
Home
Nike goes big with Brazil’s crest and adds an intricate design to the same yellow hue the Selecao have used for decades.
Away
Brazil’s secondary strip feels like the beach. A horizontal wavy pattern covering the entire shirt mimics the country’s picturesque coastline.
Canada
Home
The only blemish in Nike’s lineup. Why is there a circle around the swoosh? And why are the shoulders so much darker than the body? None of it makes sense.
Away
The 13 pinstripes are supposed to represent the 10 provinces and three territories that make up Canada. Unfortunately, the rest of the shirt looks incomplete.
United States
Home
The United States men’s national team gets a classic home shirt with patriotic detailing along the color and sleeves.
Away
The gradient works perfectly with the red shorts the U.S. will wear at the Copa America.