World Cup Superstars Magazine

From the opening match between expectant hosts Russia and hopeful outsiders Saudi Arabia on 14 June at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, 32 national teams from five continents will compete over 63 matches for the right to return to the Luzhniki for the World Cup final on 15 July.

Among them will be reigning champions Germany, five-time winners Brazil, and five other former champions: Argentina, England, France, Spain and Uruguay. Also among them will be World Cup debutants Iceland and Panama.

Here we've profiled 100 players from all 32 nations who we think could make an impact on the 2018 World Cup.

Will we see Lionel Messi emulate the achievement of Diego Maradona in 1986 and lift the trophy for Argentina? Will Naymar reclaim the captaincy for Brazil and right the wrongs of 2014? Will Cristiano Ronaldo repeat the heroics of Euro 2016 and win it for Portugal? Will Harry Kane become the first Englishman to hoist a World Cup since 1966? Or will Manuel Neuer continue where his compatriot Philipp Lahm left off and retain the trophy for Germany?

Maybe you're hoping it's going to be someone else.

Whoever that may be, you will probably find him here, in World Cup Superstars 2018!