Stars to Watch

The most exciting teenager in world football. Already a Euro winner, his first World Cup could be a coronation — short odds for Best Young Player.

Already a World Cup winner and a final hat-trick scorer. Perennial favourite in the Golden Boot market.

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner arrives at peak form. His movement between the lines is France's new superpower.

England's all-time top scorer and a former World Cup Golden Boot winner. On penalties, always a threat in the scorer markets.

England's most consistent creator. Value in assists and shots-on-target props game after game.

The greatest of all time, in what he has suggested will be his final World Cup. Every Messi match market will move the betting boards.

A World Cup winner at 22, now Argentina's spearhead in his prime. Strong Golden Boot dark horse.

The most electric one-v-one winger in the game. If Brazil go deep, he'll be the reason.

Coming off the best seasons of his career. Goals, assists and set-piece delivery — a prop-bet goldmine.

41 years old and still scoring. The first man to play six World Cups — every record he touches is a betting market.

Captain America, in the form of his life in Serie A. The face of the tournament on home soil.

El Bebote leads the line with Serie A pedigree. Mexico's best striker hope in a generation.

The veteran fox-in-the-box, still Mexico's most reliable finisher in qualifying.

Spain's metronome. When Pedri plays, Spain control games — his fitness is the single biggest factor in their title odds.

The Ballon d'Or winner anchors everything. Spain have rarely lost a competitive match with him in the side.

The shield in front of the back four. France's structure in big knockout games runs through him.

Box-to-box dominance and big-game goals. The tournament could be his stage for a Ballon d'Or push.

2022's Best Young Player now runs the midfield outright. Argentina's tempo flows through him.

Portugal's creative hub and penalty taker. Reliable in goalscorer and assist markets.

Engine-room athleticism and a knack for big-stage goals — he scores in headers markets more than you'd think.

The captain and destroyer. His duels won per 90 underpin every USA upset bid.

Arguably the world's best left back after PSG's treble run. Locks down one entire flank.

The defensive cornerstone. Mexico's clean-sheet odds at the Azteca lean on him.

Big-save reliability that wins knockout shootouts. Key to Brazil's clean-sheet markets.