It is now only five days until the biggest sporting event on the planet kicks off in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. As excitement builds for the World Cup, let's take a look at one player from each continent who could make a name for themselves this summer.
Gonçalo Guedes - Portugal
The young Portuguese winger is currently on loan at Valencia from PSG and has at times lit up La Liga with his dribbling ability and excellent final ball. He has been a key part of Valencia's resurgence this season, as they finished 4th in La Liga. Guedes is as comfortable putting the ball in the net as he is providing assists, capable of thundering them in from outside the area, as well as sweet, deft chips over onrushing goalkeepers, the Portuguese has an innate ability to exploit any weaknesses in opposition defences.
Keep an eye on the youngster as he aims to become a household name this summer.
Lucas Torreira - Uruguay
The Sampdoria man has been making waves in Italy this season, so much so that he is now a rumoured transfer target for English giants Arsenal. Torreira is almost a complete controller, sitting at the base of the midfield. He breaks up numerous counterattacks, but also wields calmness under pressure, allowing him to dictate the flow of the game with his passing. An all-rounded midfielder, expect his price tag to soar if Uruguay do some damage in Russia.
Hirving Lozano - Mexico
The PSV winger possesses bags of pace that allow him to create separation from his marker with relative ease. He provides a dual threat as he can play on either wing and has a relatively low centre of gravity which helps him shift his body position easily.
Racking up 17 goals and 8 assists in his first season in the Eredivisie as PSV marched to another league title, the 22-year-old has caught the attention of some of Europe's big names, and will be one of Mexico's main weapons as they look to exorcise the demons of the Arjen Robben dive that knocked them out in 2014.
Hakim Ziyech - Morocco
Ajax's 25-year-old play-maker turned down the Netherlands in order to fulfil a childhood ambition and represent Morocco. Ziyech created 143 chances for Ajax last season and was involved in more shots than any player in Europe's top 5 leagues - one more than the great Lionel Messi. The mercurial midfielder has a sublime passing range and can carve open defences at will.
He will be one to look out for as Morocco attempt to Summit Mount Everest and escape a group with European giants Spain and current European champions Portugal.
Tom Rogic - Australia
The 25-year-old has spent most of his professional career at Scottish champions Celtic. Rogic has an uncanny ability to exploit space and is the main creator in Brendan Rodgers' side. His weapon is a left foot, able to score outrageous goals and has an almost Guti-esque disguise to his passing. The Aussie is often the key to unlocking packed defences and having tied his long-term future to Celtic recently, don't be surprised to see some big offers come his way if he delivers the goods for the Socceroos.
Honourable mentions
There are a number of players who could also make a significant splash in this summer's world cup who have not made this list. South American representative Jefferson Lerma enjoyed a stellar season for Levante, while African trio Kalidou Koulibaly, Keita Baldé Diao and Ismaïla Sarr could very well propel Senegal - along with star-man Sadio Mané - into the latter stages of the tournament.