Dusan Vlahovic and 12 other young stars poised to take 2022 World Cup by storm

The World Cup starts in just five months' time and only two qualification spots remain after Wales defeated Ukraine 1-0 in a play-off on Sunday evening.

At each World Cup, there are always a handful of players that capture the eye and become stars overnight. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, Michael Owen, Franz Beckenbauer and Pele have previously claimed the competition's Best Young Player award.

And there are plenty of superb youngsters ready to take international football by storm in Qatar later this year. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the best 13 young players almost certain to be involved in the competition - including two England youngsters.

Kai Havertz

Considering he already has 22 senior caps and scored the winner in a Champions League final, it's hard to believe Havertz is just 22. This will be his first World Cup and presents a golden opportunity to establish himself as Germany's talisman.

Havertz is on the verge of becoming a superstar. He's blessed with strength, size, speed and supreme skill. The only thing missing from his game is consistency, yet that won't matter too much at the upcoming tournament. He may just be the star of Qatar.

Jamal Musiala

If you check out Musiala's Wikipedia page, he's wearing an England kit. But the nine-cap international, still only 19, is set to represent Germany at this year's tournament. He could be Hansi Flick's secret weapon in Qatar and make English fans very envious.

The ex-England youth midfielder already has 78 senior appearances for Bayern Munich under his belt and a Champions League winners' medal. "He always has his head up in tight spaces and can dribble past opponent defenders," said Flick last year.

Who will win the 2022 World Cup? Have your say in the comments!

Bukayo Saka

Although England won't have Musiala to call on, they will - barring injury - have Saka at their disposal. The 20-year-old already has 15 senior caps and is Arsenal's talisman. He's also added goals to his game, scoring 12 in all competitions in 2021-22.

Saka is blessed with a wand of a left foot and has only grown in confidence since missing the deciding penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout. He could also be joined by Gunners colleagues Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsdale and Benjamin White in the England squad.

Pedri

How could the reigning Golden Boy not be included in this list? Pedri is already a regular for Barcelona and Spain - winning a silver medal at last summer's Olympics - and has been compared to the great Andres Iniesta by his club manager Xavi, an icon himself.

The 19-year-old missed a large chuck of this season with hamstring injuries and will be hoping to be fit for the tournament. In the 12 La Liga games he did manage to play in 2021-22, Barcelona won 10 - including a 4-0 away victory against Real Madrid - and drew two.

Jonathan David

Canada finished top of their qualification group - ahead of Mexico, the US and Costa Rica - to reach their first World Cup finals since 1986. As such, David makes our list. The 22-year-old scored 19 goals for Lille this term and helped them win Ligue 1 in 2020-21.

David has been linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool - potentially making a move as early as this summer - and will be Canada's talisman at the tournament. Also expect Alphonso Davies, 21, to make an impact after he recovered from a worrying heart condition.

Vinicius Jr

Vinicius has become one of Real Madrid's biggest stars this season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions, including the winner in the Champions League final against Liverpool. At 21, the tournament in Qatar presents a great opportunity for him to make his mark on the international stage.

The forward is dynamic, clever, nimble and skilful - possessing all the qualities you'd expect from the next Brazilian on the block. "He's a great player for his age," Los Blancos teammate Karim Benzema said earlier this season. "He is scoring goals and creating them and we all hope it continues."

Gavi

It seems unfair that Spain have both Pedri and Gavi. The pair are primed to follow in the footsteps of Iniesta and Xavi, forming a double act that will dominate European football. "They are very lucky to have these sorts of players," Italy manager Roberto Mancini said last year.

At just 17, this year's World Cup may be a tournament too soon for Gavi, although Spain boss Luis Enrique has hinted at him playing a staring role. "He is something exceptional," Enrique said. "He's not only the future, but also the present." Spain fans should be excited.

Phil Foden

The Manchester City ace is another player who has achieved plenty at club level - making more than 160 appearances and winning four Premier League titles, among other trophies - but is yet to impress at international level.

Foden disappointed at last summer's Euros, yet he's only 21 and has plenty of time to flourish under Gareth Southgate. Let's not forget he already has a World Cup winners' medal, having inspired England Under-17 to victory in 2017 as the Golden Ball recipient.

Ryan Gravenberch

The 19-year-old has established himself as one of the best young players in Europe in recent years, helping Ajax win the Eredivisie title this season. He was also part of the Netherlands team that won the U17 Euros in 2018, with the final held in Rotherham!

Gravenberch made the step up to senior level last year - picking up 10 caps to date - and looks certain to play a role at the World Cup. Dutch fans will also be keeping an eye on PSV's 22-year-old sensation Cody Gakpo, who appeared at last summer's Euros.

Hannibal Mejbri

The Manchester United midfielder, 19, has dedicated the early stages of his career to international football, opting to play for Tunisia instead of France in 2021 and earning 14 senior caps to date. Mejbri was part of the team that reached final of the Arab Cup last year, losing 2-0 to Algeria.

The teenager has impressed while on international duty and was named as United's Reserve Player of the Year in 2020-21. Mejbri may not play much for the Red Devils before the World Cup kicks off in November, yet he'll get a chance at Old Trafford if he produces a strong showing in Qatar. It promises to be a crucial moment in his blossoming career.

Kacper Kozlowski

The 18-year-old is expected to enjoy a big 12 months for club and country. Kozlowski became the youngest player to appear at the Euros last summer - aged just 17 years and 246 days - and is set to be part of Poland's squad for the upcoming tournament.

The midfielder's impressive form for Pogon Szczecin earned him a move to Brighton in January. After spending the second half of the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Belgian outfit Union SG, he's ready prove himself in the Premier League and at the World Cup.

Joao Felix

The Atletico Madrid winger, 22, is the most expensive teenager in history and a recipient of the Golden Boy award, so it's only right that he's included on this list.

Felix is yet to fulfil his potential at Atletico - scoring 30 goals in three seasons - but there are some promising signs. He was recently named Atletico's Player of the Year and is poised to show international football what he can do at the World Cup. Watch this space.

Dusan Vlahovic

The man everyone will be keeping an eye on in Qatar. The 22-year-old is one of the hottest strikers in Europe, scoring 29 goals at club level this season and making a big-money move from Fiorentina to Juventus in January, much to Arsenal's displeasure.

Vlahovic is physically dominant and possesses fine technique. Serbia may just shock the world in Qatar with Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic leading the line. Fulham ace Mitrovic scored a record 43 goals in the Championship in 2021-22.

Which talent will snatch their opportunity in Qatar remains to be seen but, just as Mbappe did four years ago, someone will become a superstar under football's biggest spotlight.