The 32-team event promises to be as exciting as ever, despite it being held abnormally mid-season.

As always, a number of the staple big-name nations will be fighting it out for the trophy, while there are also a host of plucky underdogs looking to provide a shock to the world. 

Throughout the nations, there will be plenty of top players ready to take to the pitch to try and lead their countries to glory. 

Passport and Visa service PhotoAiD has looked into some of the names set to play in Qatar, by providing a comprehensive list of each World Cup finalist's most valuable player. 

Group A

Qatar - Akram Afif (£4.8m) 

Expectations will be low for hosts Qatar, but captain Akram Afif will be hoping he will be able to alter that narrative.

Once of Villarreal, Afif currently plies his trade in his homeland with Al-Sadd having emerged as a convenient attacking player.

Ecuador - Pervis Estipinan (£17.4m)

Pervis Estupinan has continued to work his way into English football following his summer move to Brighton from Villarreal. 

The left-back, formerly of Watford, enjoyed success with Villarreal in 2021 as he was a key part of their Europa League-winning campaign.

Senegal - Sadio Mane (£61.1m)

Senegal's Sadio Mane will be keen to continue leading his side to further success after helping them achieve honours in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. 

The Bayern Munich man has endured a mixed start to life in Germany following his move from Liverpool, but he still remains one of the most dangerous forwards in the game.

Netherlands - Matthijs de Ligt (£61.1m)

The Netherlands will be heading into the World Cup in strong form following their recent run of form, which centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has been a key part of. 

De Ligt soared to stardom after helping Ajax reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 and is a fixture of Bayern Munich's set-up after a stint at Juventus.

Group B

England - Phil Foden (£78.5m) 

There could have been a handful of names representing England, but Manchester City starlet Phil Foden has emerged as the one to carry the mantle.

Foden has continued to blossom with a winning City side and his growth could help the Three Lions get over the line after their heartbreak in the final of Euro 2020. 

Iran - Sardar Azmoun (£19.2m)

Sardar Azmoun forged a solid career for himself in Russia earlier on in his career, which earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen last season. 

While things have not taken off for him in Germany as of yet, Azmoun still remains an important piece of Iran’s World Cup squad. 

USA - Christian Pulisic (£36.7m)

The USA are back at the World Cup and they will be hoping Christian Pulisic will be able to lead them towards a deep run in the competition.

Although the Chelsea winger has seen game time come infrequently of late, he is arguably still the talisman of Gregg Berhalter's side. 

Wales - Ben Davies (£17.4m)

Tottenham's defensive utility man Ben Davies stands as Wales' most valuable player and will look to use his experience to drive his nation through a competitive group.

Davies is expected to build on his 74 caps for the Dragons, which could see him enter the top 10 for appearances made.

Group C

Argentina - Lautaro Martinez (£65.5m)

Lautaro Martinez could emerge as a useful player for Argentina as they bid to win the World Cup for a third time.

Currently at Inter Milan, Martinez was a part of the side which won last year's Copa America and will likely lead the line for La Albiceleste.

Saudi Arabia - Sultan Al-Ghannam (£3m)

Saudi Arabia will be looking to spring a surprise in this edition of the World Cup and Sultan Al-Ghannam could be one of those leading a potential run. 

The right-back currently plays in his native country, featuring prominently for Saudi Professional League side Al Nassr. 

Mexico - Hirving Lozano (£26.2m)

Hirving Lozano became the most expensive Mexican player of all time in 2019 and is expected to play a big role for his nation at the World Cup. 

While he has not necessarily hit similar heights he reached at PSV Eindhoven with Napoli, Mexico will be hoping he will explode for them on the international stage. 

Poland - Robert Lewandowski (£39.3m)

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski may have reached the veteran stage of his career, but he remains as Poland's most valuable player with his goal-scoring level still at its peak.

Poland have not made it out of the group stage at a World Cup since 1986, but they will be leaning on the experience of their all-time leading scorer to guide them through.

Group D

France - Kylian Mbappe (£139.9m)

With little surprise, Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is France's most valuable player and also the priciest name in this edition of the World Cup.

He became the second-youngest player to score a goal in a World Cup final behind Brazil legend Pele, tallying in Les Blues' 4-2 triumph over Croatia in 2018.

Australia - Aaron Mooy (£4.3m)

Currently plying his trade in Scotland with Celtic, Aaron Mooy boasts plenty of experience for Australia having taken part in their previous two World Cup campaigns. 

Formerly of Premier League sides Huddersfield, Brighton and Man City earlier in his career, Mooy will be keen to lead his team to similar heights of a last-16 finish back in 2006. 

Denmark - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£35m)

Steady and ever-present Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is expected to turn out in the centre of the pitch for Denmark as they look to carry strong momentum into the tournament. 

Hojbjerg was a key man on their route to the Euro 2020 semi-finals, which earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament at the end of the campaign.

Tunisia - Ellyes Skhiri (£11.3m)

Ellyes Skhiri of Bundesliga club Cologne will be looking to utilise his aggressive play up and down the pitch to inspire Tunisia to a positive World Cup campaign.

The midfielder is expected to turn out prominently for the African outfit, who will be planning to provide an upset in the group stage.

Group E

Spain - Pedri (£70m)

Pedri, despite his tender age, has put together an incredible rise to the top at Barcelona and now on the international stage for Spain.

The teenager has already amassed an impressive amount of games under his belt to become such an experienced player already - part of which helped him achieve last year's Golden Boy award. 

Costa Rica - Keylor Navas (£7m)

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has become a legend of the CONCACAF region following his successful exploits with Real Madrid and currently PSG. 

Costa Rica's chances of success, meanwhile, could hinge on the displays of the veteran, although he could now face some competition for the number one spot. 

Germany - Joshua Kimmich (£70m)

Germany boast a wealth of talent across the board, but Joshua Kimmich is top of the pile having cemented his name as one of the world's best midfielders.

The Bayern man's versatility to also play in defence makes him such a valuable option for the four-time winners, who will be seeking to wrestle their way back to the top.

Japan - Takehiro Tomiyasu (£21.8m)

Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu has been a mainstay of the Japan side since 2019 and will be a key player in their defence should he remain fit and injury-free. 

Tomiyasu's injury struggles have been notable, but he has still impressed for the Gunners since moving to north London last term.

Group F

Belgium - Kevin de Bruyne (£74.3m) 

Another unsurprising name, Kevin de Bruyne has maintained his level as Man City's chief creator for some time now and Belgium will want to tap into that talent to get the 'Golden Generation' over the line to win a major tournament.

De Bruyne has been in excellent form to start the season and he will want to go further than the third-place finish he achieved at the 2018 World Cup.

Canada - Alphonso Davies (£61.2m)

Coming through as one of the most exciting full-backs in world football, Alphonso Davies continues to rise up in many people's estimations.

Davies, who joined Bayern from Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019, has emerged as a vital player for Canada after making his debut at just 16 years old.

Morocco - Achraf Hakimi (£56.9m)

Achraf Hakimi has already played for a number of top clubs including Real Madrid Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and currently PSG. 

His pace has allowed him to develop a versatility for playing up and down the right wing, which makes him a useful asset for Morocco this winter.

Croatia - Mateo Kovacic (£36.7m) 

Mateo Kovacic has a wealth of experience under his belt as a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.

The Blues midfielder is part of an experienced Croatia side that just came up short in the World Cup final against France in 2018, but that experience could help them if they are to launch another deep run.

Group G

Brazil - Vinicius Junior (£87.5m)

Brazil are set to be big favourites to go all the way in Qatar and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior could hold a key role should they do that. 

Vinicius has elevated his level over the last year to become a fearsome winger and his talent, coupled with Brazil's large squad depth, can lead the side to a first World Cup title since 2002.

Serbia - Dusan Vlahovic (£74.3m)

Dusan Vlahovic was heavily sought-after throughout last season before arriving at Juventus and Serbia will be relying on him and Aleksandar Mitrovic to fire them through a tricky group.

The powerful, left-footed striker is considered to be one of the best young players in the world and he will be one to watch as his nation bids to progress to the next stage for the first time since 2010.

Switzerland - Manuel Akanji (£26.2m)

Manuel Akanji has been a surprise package at the start of this season after what was an out-of-the-blue transfer to Manchester City after a difficult end to his stint with Dortmund.

Akanji, though, has impressed under Pep Guardiola and is likely to be one of the main names on show for Switzerland as they plan a deep run.

Cameroon - Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£26.2m)

Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has shone for Napoli since switching England for Italy and he will be a focal point of an inconsistent Cameroon team.

Anguissa has seen his talents flourish for the Serie A side and he will hope to help Cameroon replicate or even go beyond their quarter-final finish from 1990.

Group H

Portugal - Bruno Fernandes (£74.3m)

There have been a lot of critics for Bruno Fernandes about his volatile displays in crunch games but on his day, the Manchester United midfielder is a useful player to have around.

Fernandes was key to Portugal's Nations League success in 2019 and will be looking to replicate that on the global stage in Qatar. 

Ghana - Thomas Partey (£26.2m)

Thomas Partey is expected to feature in Ghana's World Cup line-up as one of the protectors from within midfield. 

The Arsenal man, formerly of Atletico Madrid, has a wealth of experience under his belt which Ghana will want to lean on to progress through another open group.

Uruguay - Federico Valverde (£61.1m) 

Uruguay will be glad to have the talent of Federico Valverde in their arsenal with the Real Madrid midfielder continuing to elevate his level.

Able to play in central midfield and on the wing, Valverde is a shoo-in to be one of La Celeste's most important names in Qatar as they aim to add a third World Cup to their cabinet.

South Korea - Heung-min Son (£65.4m)

Inevitably, Heung-min Son stands as South Korea's most valuable player having come off the back of a Golden Boot-winning season in the Premier League last term.

Although Tottenham's star forward has struggled to hit any sort of form in some parts of the current campaign, he remains the talisman of his country and will hope to replicate the 2002 success when a semi-final berth was reached.