The Brazilian, Argentinian, Portuguese, French and English aces will be fighting for supremacy across a number of fronts as they top the list of contenders for the Golden Boot Award while their respective nations are among the favourites to lift the trophy.
But there’s more to this winter’s major tournament than the aforementioned quintet. Every four years we’re treated to an array of weird and wonderful storylines, an inspiring and heart-warming underdog tale and a diamond or two that emerge from the rough.
There are 26 players from the Championship attending the 22nd instalment of the biggest and best competition on the planet and they could be one of those individuals to hit the headlines for one reason or another.
. DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, the Official Match Ball of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is seen in front of Khalifa International Stadium at sunset ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on November 16, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo illustration, the Official Match Ball of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is seen in front of Khalifa International Stadium at sunset ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on November 16, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Photo: Ryan Pierse
. Junior Hoilett (Canada)
Club: Reading. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 20. Goals: 1. Yellow Cards: 3. Photo: Justin Setterfield
. Jewison Bennette (Costa Rica)
Club: Sunderland. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 9. Goals: 1. Yellow Cards: 2. Photo: Lewis Storey
. Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
Club: Bristol City. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 16. Goals: 3. Assists: 1. Yellow Cards: 2. Photo: Michael Steele
. Josh Sargent (USA)
Club: Norwich City. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 19. Goals: 9. Assists: 2. Yellow Cards: 1. Photo: Marc Atkins
. Sorba Thomas (Wales)
Club: Huddersfield Town. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 19. Assists: 6. Yellow Cards: 6. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
. Mark Harris (Wales)
Club: Cardiff City. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 21. Goals: 3. Yellow Cards: 4. Photo: Ashley Allen
. Anass Zaroury (Morocco)
Club: Burnley. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 13. Goals: 4. Assists: 2. Yellow Cards: 1. Photo: Nathan Stirk
. Riley McGree (Australia)
Club: Middlesbrough. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 21. Goals: 3. Yellow Cards: 4. Photo: Michael Regan
. Olivier Ntcham (Cameroon)
Club: Swansea City. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 19. Goals: 5. Assists: 2. Yellow Cards: 2. Photo: Ryan Hiscott
. Ilias Chair (Morocco)
Club: QPR. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 21. Goals: 3. Assists: 6. Yellow Cards: 1. Photo: Stu Forster
1. Junior Hoilett (Canada)
Club: Reading. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 20. Goals: 1. Yellow Cards: 3. Photo: Justin Setterfield
2. Jewison Bennette (Costa Rica)
Club: Sunderland. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 9. Goals: 1. Yellow Cards: 2. Photo: Lewis Storey
3. Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
Club: Bristol City. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 16. Goals: 3. Assists: 1. Yellow Cards: 2. Photo: Michael Steele
4. Josh Sargent (USA)
Club: Norwich City. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 19. Goals: 9. Assists: 2. Yellow Cards: 1. Photo: Marc Atkins
5. Sorba Thomas (Wales)
Club: Huddersfield Town. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 19. Assists: 6. Yellow Cards: 6. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
6. Mark Harris (Wales)
Club: Cardiff City. Championship Appearances (2022-23): 21. Goals: 3. Yellow Cards: 4. Photo: Ashley Allen