SOME of the game’s biggest names have already lit up the 2022 World Cup as the group stage draws to a close, while others have dominated the headlines – from Kylian Mbappe driving France forward to Germany and Belgium crashing out; from Lionel Messi inspiring Argentina to Cristiano Ronaldo denied a goal he swears he got the last touch on, despite evidence to the contrary.
Outside of the established elite stars, though, a handful of youngsters playing at the World Cup for the first time have made a memorable impact through the tournament’s first round.
Here are the five breakout stars of the World Cup so far.
Enzo Fernandez – Argentina
The 21-year-old Benfica midfielder has only started one game at the World Cup so far, having begun from the bench in each of Argentina’s first two matches.
But the way he performed after coming on in their second fixture, an eventual 2-0 win over Mexico, ensured he was among the first names on manager Lionel Scaloni’s team-sheet for the vital group-stage closer against Poland, and he will remain indispensable to Argentina from here.
In his 33-minute cameo against Mexico, Fernandez instantly represented an upgrade in the middle third. He provided thrust from deep, was measured and progressive in possession and capped a crucial victory to counteract the shocking earlier loss to Saudi Arabia with a delightful, curled strike into the top corner of Guillermo Ochoa’s goal.
A starter against Poland, the former River Plate star was instrumental in what was by far Argentina’s best performance to date in Qatar, even providing the assist for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez to seal the 2-0 victory and progress to the last 16.
Fernandez has only been a Benfica player since June, but he has settled quickly in Portugal and shone to the extent that many of Europe’s biggest clubs are circling. His World Cup performances will have added a few million euros to his price tag.
Mohammed Kudus – Ghana
The latest star off the long Ajax production line has carried his fine form on to the biggest stage in Qatar. Mohammed Kudus joined the Dutch champions back in 2020, but he has excelled this season with a more prominent role in light of the departure of Brazil winger Antony, among others, as part of a £200 million summer exodus at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder caught the eye earlier in the campaign with spectacular Champions League strikes against Liverpool and Napoli, part of a 12-goal haul at club level for the season so far.
Already twice a scorer for Ghana in Qatar, Kudus has terrorised the backlines of group-stage opponents with his speed and skill and his powerful and accurate shooting technique.
Cody Gakpo – Netherlands
Another Eredivisie standout lighting up the World Cup this winter is PSV prodigy Cody Gakpo.
The versatile forward – who can play on either wing or centrally as a striker – has been nothing short of sensational at club level for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side this season, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists in just 23 all-competitions appearances.
And his prolific form has been present for the Netherlands in Qatar, where he has already netted three times for Louis van Gaal’s Oranje.
The 6ft 2 winger is fast, dynamic and can create opportunities for himself or others off either foot. But what most impresses about Gakpo is his ball striking ability, able to launch rapier-like shots with supreme accuracy even in constricted spaces.
A reported summer target for Manchester United and Leeds, interest in Gakpo will multiply post-World Cup, as will his previously mooted price tag of around £30 million.
Yunus Musah – USA
Gakpo’s Netherlands will take on the United States in the last 16 after Gregg Berhalter’s side progressed as runners-up, behind England, from Group B.
Chelsea star Christian Pulisic scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Iran in the last round of group-stage fixtures to secure their spot in the knockout phase, but the standout performer so far for this youthful US team has been Yunus Musah, who celebrated his 20th birthday the day of the Iran game.
The indefatigable box-to-box midfielder was previously part of Arsenal’s academy and an England youth international. But, born in New York, he elected to represent the United States at senior level and delivered an exceptional display of pressing, driving and comfort with the ball in Monday’s 0-0 stalemate with the Three Lions.
And Musah, who plays his club football in La Liga with Valencia, was outstanding once more and the US held off Iran to assure progress from the group. So accomplished yet still so young, it is tantalising to wonder how good Musah might be by the summer of 2026, when he will surely be one of the stars of a World Cup on home soil.
Jude Bellingham – England
England midfielder Jude Bellingham is even younger than Musah – he won’t turn 20 until next summer – yet the teenager is already one of the most-wanted and highly valued players in Europe thanks to his rapid rise at Borussia Dortmund over the last two seasons.
Bellingham is the youngest player in Gareth Southgate’s squad, but the teenager has already established himself as arguably his team’s best player and a leader among a group of seasoned stars.
A peripheral figure in England’s run to the final of Euro 2020 a year and a half ago, the former Birmingham City star is front and centre of the Three Lions’ push for a first major international tournament triumph since 1966 this time around.
The 19-year-old has been his side’s best player in Qatar, scoring with a well-timed burst into the box and headed finish in a 6-2 demolition of Iran, toiling admirably in a drab draw with the United States and thriving in a more advanced midfield role in a top-spot-clinching victory over Wales.
Bellingham has long been considered one of world football’s future stars. His performances in Qatar, his first World Cup, suggest that future has arrived.
