Germany's record-breaking teenage striker, a red hot Dutch prospect and the Moroccan magician making a name for himself at Burnley! The World Cup's uncapped players hoping for a chance to impress in Qatar
- The World Cup gets underway on Sunday with hosts Qatar playing Ecuador
- Each of the 32 nations competing in the tournament has finalised their squads
- There are a number of selected players who haven't yet made an appearance
- Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko was uncapped when picked
- Portugal called up Goncalo Ramos, while Holland have three untried players
- CLICK HERE for all the latest World Cup news in our designated live blog
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
The wildcard squad pick is one of the great joys of any World Cup.
It's a gamble that might come about because of a lack of depth in a certain position, a pile-up of injuries or a national team manager just having a good feeling about a young rising star.
Remember Sven-Goran Eriksson picking 17-year-old Theo Walcott in 2006 just for the experience?
![The World Cup is almost upon us as Qatar prepares to open its doors to the football world](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/18/64076625-11439041-The_World_Cup_is_almost_upon_us_as_Qatar_prepares_to_open_its_do-a-10_1668708904207.jpg)
The World Cup is almost upon us as Qatar prepares to open its doors to the football world
![Theo Walcott was surprisingly called up to the England World Cup squad aged 17 in 2006](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646027-11439041-image-a-68_1668684959727.jpg)
Theo Walcott was surprisingly called up to the England World Cup squad aged 17 in 2006
With the international calendar strung out across the year and chances to find your strongest XI limited, it isn't always possible for everyone to get game time.
There are several uncapped players heading to the World Cup in Qatar hoping to realise their dream of playing on football's biggest stage. We profile them here.
William Pacho
21, Ecuador and Royal Antwerp, defender
Ecuador have the honour of taking on host nation Qatar in the opening game of the tournament on Sunday and coach Gustavo Alfaro picked uncapped centre-back Pacho in his squad of 26.
The youngster has represented his country at Under-20 level but didn't get off the bench in the September friendly with Saudi Arabia.
He is a regular for Royal Antwerp in Belgium, however. They have faded slightly after winning their first nine league matches of the campaign.
![Ecuador's William Pacho while in action for Belgian club Royal Antwerp earlier this season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646159-11439041-image-a-70_1668685184399.jpg)
Ecuador's William Pacho while in action for Belgian club Royal Antwerp earlier this season
Andries Noppert
28, Holland and Heerenveen, goalkeeper
Louis van Gaal has named three uncapped players in his Dutch squad.
Keeper Noppert will go to Qatar as understudy to Remko Pasveer and Justin Bijlow after Van Gaal made the decision to omit the far more experienced Jasper Cillessen from the final squad, with Tim Krul another well-known name left at home.
Xavi Simons
19, Holland and PSV Eindhoven, midfielder
Less surprising was Van Gaal's selection of Simons, who has long been regarded one of the brightest prospects in world football.
The 19-year-old has yet to play for the senior Oranje team and, indeed, he has only played once for the Under-21s.
But Holland obviously hope he might be able to provide some X-factor after an outstanding start to life at PSV, whom he joined from PSG over the summer.
![The exciting PSV Eindhoven player Xavi Simons has been included in the Holland squad](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/18/64646137-11439041-The_exciting_PSV_Eindhoven_player_Xavi_Simons_has_been_included_-m-11_1668709902574.jpg)
The exciting PSV Eindhoven player Xavi Simons has been included in the Holland squad
Jeremie Frimpong
21, Holland and Bayer Leverkusen, defender
Frimpong was born in Amsterdam but was raised in England from the age of seven, coming through the Manchester City academy and starting his professional career at Celtic.
He could have represented England or Ghana, through his mother's heritage, but he opted for Holland despite reportedly not having much grasp of the language.
The right-back poses a good creative threat and is in form for German club Bayer Leverkusen.
![Bayer Leverkusen's Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong pictured in Bundesliga action](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646187-11439041-image-a-71_1668685226252.jpg)
Bayer Leverkusen's Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong pictured in Bundesliga action
Jassem Gaber
20, Qatar and Al Arabi, midfielder
Qatar have named an entirely home-based squad for their home World Cup as they attempt to hold their own in a group featuring Holland, Senegal and Ecuador.
Gaber, a defensive midfielder, is one of a handful of inexperienced squad players picked by their Spanish coach Felix Sanchez.
Nicolas Jackson
21, Senegal and Villarreal, forward
Jackson will be well known to followers of LaLiga because he's a regular starter for Villarreal, scoring three goals for them so far this season.
He was actually born in The Gambia but holds dual nationality with Senegal and opted to represent the Lions of Teranga on the international stage.
Aged 21, he has just graduated into the senior squad in time for the tournament.
![Nicolas Jackson, the Senegal call-up, celebrates scoring a goal for Villarreal against Almeria](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646233-11439041-image-a-72_1668685278416.jpg)
Nicolas Jackson, the Senegal call-up, celebrates scoring a goal for Villarreal against Almeria
Axel Disasi
24, France and Monaco, defender
You'd forgive Didier Deschamps for keeping his reigning champions much the same as last time but fresh talents have emerged in the last four years and some squad changes were enforced.
When Presnel Kimpembe was ruled out with a hamstring injury, Monaco defender Disasi received a late call-up.
He has played regularly in Ligue 1 for four seasons now, so would have been on France's radar.
![Axel Disasi was a late call-up into the France squad following an injury to Presnel Kimpembe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646251-11439041-image-a-73_1668685332803.jpg)
Axel Disasi was a late call-up into the France squad following an injury to Presnel Kimpembe
Youssoufa Moukoko
18, Germany and Borussia Dortmund, forward
The Borussia Dortmund starlet has now played his first game for Germany, in Wednesday's friendly win over Oman, but was uncapped when Hansi Flick named his squad.
Really though, given the extraordinary trajectory of Moukoko's career so far, a World Cup call-up was always on the cards.
He became the youngest player to ever appear in a Bundesliga game one day after turning 16 back in 2020 and duly became the youngest-ever Champions League player and the Bundesliga's youngest-ever goalscorer.
Has done his best to fill the big shoes of Erling Haaland with six goals so far this season and the World Cup will be a great experience for the teenager even if he doesn't play.
![The exciting 18-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko made his Germany debut against Oman](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646261-11439041-image-a-74_1668685367140.jpg)
The exciting 18-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko made his Germany debut against Oman
![The teenager has helped Borussia Dortmund partly compensate for Erling Haaland's exit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646291-11439041-image-a-75_1668685411347.jpg)
The teenager has helped Borussia Dortmund partly compensate for Erling Haaland's exit
James Pantemis
25, Canada and CF Montreal, goalkeeper
There will be a lot of intrigue around Canada, who are appearing in their first World Cup since 1986 and have an English coach in John Herdman.
He picked the uncapped Pantemis, who is keeper for MLS side CF Montreal, alongside Milan Borjan and Dayne St Clair as options between the sticks.
Anass Zaroury
22, Morocco and Burnley, winger
Zaroury is quickly becoming one of the hottest prospects in the EFL after scoring some crucial goals for Championship pace-setters Burnley in recent weeks.
He was born in Belgium and played for Lommel and Charleroi there before Vincent Kompany used his knowledge of the country's domestic scene to bring him to Turf Moor in the summer.
Although he represented Belgium up to Under-21 level, he accepted an invitation from Morocco when Amine Harit suffered an injury on the eve of the World Cup.
Zaroury will be committed to them if he features during the tournament, where he could be used in tandem with another Championship star, Ilias Chair of QPR.
![Morocco's Anass Zaroury scored for Burnley in their win over local rivals Blackburn last week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646301-11439041-image-a-76_1668685449846.jpg)
Morocco's Anass Zaroury scored for Burnley in their win over local rivals Blackburn last week
Bilal El Khannous
18, Morocco and Genk, midfielder
Not a dissimilar story to Zaroury in that the midfielder grew up in Belgium and represented them at youth level before switching allegiance to the north African country.
El Khannous is enjoying a breakthrough season at Genk, who have a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the table in Belgium.
Simon Ngapandouetnbu
19, Cameroon and Marseille, goalkeeper
Inter Milan's Andre Onana will likely take the gloves for Cameroon at the World Cup but Marseille's Ngapandouetnbu will offer back-up.
He was playing for France Under-19s only last year but appears to have committed to Cameroon, the country of his birth, having first received a call-up in September.
He hasn't yet played a first-team game for Marseille, instead turning out for their B team.
Philipp Kohn
24, Switzerland and Red Bull Salzburg, goalkeeper
Kohn is No 1 for Red Bull Salzburg and played against Chelsea in this season's Champions League group stage having been part of the Red Bull academy set-ups at Leipzig and Liefering before that.
The 24-year-old started out representing Germany's youth team but switched to Switzerland in 2016. He is awaiting his first cap, however, with Yann Sommer the usual keeper.
![Salzburg keeper Philipp Kohn saves at the feet of Chelsea's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646327-11439041-image-a-77_1668685508017.jpg)
Salzburg keeper Philipp Kohn saves at the feet of Chelsea's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Fabian Rieder
20, Switzerland and Young Boys, midfielder
A second uncapped player in the Swiss squad is Rieder, who scored against Manchester United for his club Young Boys in the Champions League last season.
Still only 20, he will hope to be given at least a bit of game time in Qatar as Switzerland take on Brazil, Cameroon and Serbia in Group G.
Ibrahim Danlad
19, Ghana and Asante Kotoko, goalkeeper
A good sprinkling of inexperience in the Ghana squad, including Danlad, who will be a keeper option alongside Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Abdul Manaf Nurudeen for the Black Stars.
He plays for the reigning Ghanaian league champions, Asante Kotoko and gained some tournament experience as a youngster when he played in the Under-17 World Cup in India back in 2017.
Kamal Sowah
22, Ghana and Club Brugge, winger
Sowah is a second uncapped player in the Ghana squad but after a positive start to the season with Club Brugge in Belgium and the Champions League, there was a strong case for his selection.
He scored against Porto and Atletico Madrid as Brugge stormed their Champions League group in Europa to set up a last-16 tie with Benfica in the new year.
![Kamal Sowah, who has been called up by Ghana, in action for Club Brugge in Europe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646343-11439041-image-a-78_1668685548744.jpg)
Kamal Sowah, who has been called up by Ghana, in action for Club Brugge in Europe
Jose Sa
29, Portugal and Wolves, goalkeeper
A familiar name for Premier League followers but Sa is awaiting his first senior outing for Portugal. Fernando Santos put him in the squad but it'll be the experienced Rui Patricio, also lately of Wolves, who will be between the posts.
Sa could be handy if Portugal get into a penalty shoot-out, having kept out spot-kicks from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Brennan Johnson this season.
Goncalo Ramos
21, Portugal and Benfica, forward
There's a lot of excitement in Portugal around Ramos, who is in fine scoring form for Benfica this season after making a name for himself last year.
As they start to contemplate life beyond Cristiano Ronaldo, it is hoped the youngster will mature into a deadly striker. He is certainly proving that for his club, with 14 goals so far this season.
Despite recent controversies, Ronaldo is expected to lead the line for Portugal in Qatar and Ramos is jostling with the likes of Rafael Leao, Andre Silva and Joao Felix for a place in the attack.
![Goncalo Ramos is in excellent from for Benfica and will hope to push into the Portugal side](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/17/11/64646391-11439041-image-a-79_1668685588403.jpg)
Goncalo Ramos is in excellent from for Benfica and will hope to push into the Portugal side
Jose Luis Rodriguez
25, Uruguay and Nacional, defender
Uruguay coach Diego Alonso felt Rodriguez was ready to make the step up from the Under-23 squad for the tournament.
The right-back won the Uruguayan championship with his club Nacional earlier this year.
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