sport news World Cup: 10 players who DON'T play in Europe who can steal the show trends now

As the footballing world draws to a standstill for the first-ever winter edition of the World Cup, all eyes will be on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane in a tournament largely dominated by those who play their club football in Europe.

But within the 32 teams who battled for qualification across six confederations are a number of enticing talents - who fall outside of that category - looking to make their mark, particularly with the January transfer window looming. 

The Qatar World Cup, which gets underway on November 20 and runs until December 18 - with top-flight English football then resuming a week later - will be the perfect setting for those perhaps not quite in the spotlight to either become a star, or to remind the world of their quality. 

The action will now come thick and fast until the tournament's opener between Qatar and Ecuador, with a jam-packed schedule of top-flight football to come until the players officially leave for international duty.

With that in mind, Sportsmail takes a look at the top-10 players playing their club football outside of Europe who can make a mark at the 2022 World Cup. 

Guillermo Ochoa 

We start with Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who has certainly made a headline or two during his extensive spell as his nation's No 1 shot-stopper. 

The 37-year-old, who only last week became Mexico's most-capped goalkeeper with 130 appearances, initially suffered disappointment as he acted as deputy to Oscar Perez at the 2010 World Cup, despite being tipped to start. 

Ochoa has since become a permanent fixture in the Mexico XI, however, putting in exceptional performances at both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. 

In 2014, Ochoa became a sensation after his stunning performance in Mexico's goalless draw against Brazil, after which opposition striker Fred insisted the keeper had made 'four miracles' throughout the game. 

Included was a quite sensational save to deny a dumfounded Neymar, who looked on in disbelief as his goal-bound header was somehow clawed away by the flying Mexican. 

Ochoa was then at it again in 2018, producing nine saves as Mexico stunned Germany in their tournament opener. Again, he caught the attention of the masses with a fingertip save to nudge a Toni Kroos free-kick onto the bar. 

Now playing his club football for Club America, where he first played as a youngster before moving to Europe, Ochoa will hope to make the headlines once more this winter. 

Garang Kuol 

Next up we have Garang Kuol, an 18-year-old Australian starlet who will certainly look to impress in the next couple of months. 

Kuol is perhaps a controversial pick, given he has just been signed by Newcastle, who saw off competition from Barcelona to land their man, but the youngster won't be playing English football until after the World Cup. 

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has revealed he could be integrated into the squad sooner than expected should he perform well at the tournament, however. 

The Premier League-bound star currently plays his football with Aussie club Central Coast Mariners, where he scored within seven minutes of his introduction during his debut last year.

Newcastle had tracked the teenager for some time but had to act swiftly as Stuttgart made a bid and Barcelona proposed a two-year loan.

The Magpies, however, won the race for the Socceroos star and agreed a $515,000 (£300,000) fee with the Aussie side. 

Though playing his international football for Australia, Kuol was born in Egypt, where his family had fled from Sudan, before moving Down Under when he was six. 

Kuol was called up to the Australia squad for the latest international break, becoming the youngest star to do so since Harry Kewell, making a substitute appearance in their 2-0 win over New Zealand. 

And with a huge future ahead, the starlet will look to make an impression in Qatar  over November and December.  

Thiago Almada

Next up is Argentina attacker Thiago Almada, who impressed during his senior debut during the most recent international break. 

Almada featured in Argentina's 3-0 win over Honduras, earning praise from seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

'Thiago is very fresh,' Messi sad. 'He's a very fast player who can play 1v1. He's clever and isn't afraid of anything.' 

Playing his club football for Atlanta in the MLS, Almada, 21, has been lethal in front of goal this season, scoring six goals and providing 11 assists in 27 games. 

The midfielder has certainly justified his league record £13.5million transfer fee, shining since making the move from Argentine first division side Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield. 

Almada was an unused substitute in Argentina's subsequent 3-0 win over Jamaica, but the youngster will hope his enticing cameo will ensure him a place on the plane to Qatar. 

Crucially, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is a big fan of Almada, wanting to shape La Albiceleste's future around him. The Argentina coach has even encouraged the player to seek a move abroad to one of Europe's top leagues in the future. 

Akram Afif 

Next up we have a player who will be featuring in the tournament opener between Qatar and Ecuador in versatile attacker Akram Afif. 

The winger, who can also play up front, is undoubtedly the star man for Qatar; he will need to be at his very best if they are to see off two of Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands and progress to the knockout stages. 

Afif now plays his football in Qatar with Al Sadd, but the prolific forward did venture to Europe for a brief spell, initially signing for Belgian side Eupen in 2015. 

In 2016, he then became the first Qatari-born signing in LaLiga history when he moved to Villarreal, but he never managed to make an appearance for the Spanish club. 

Instead, he went on loan to Sporting Gijon, before spells back at Eupen and Al Sadd and finally returning to the Qatar club.  

Nevertheless, with 76 goals and 63 assists for Al Sadd in only 124 games, as well as 24 goals in 83 games for his country, Akram Afif will certainly be Qatar's most potent threat as they look to shine on home soil this winter. 

Joel Campbell 

Remember him? You certainly will if you're an Arsenal fan, having spent seven years with the north London club between 2011 and 2018. 

Indeed, a longer stint than legendary winger Robert Pires, but things certainly didn't go to plan for the winger at Arsenal. 

Campbell would make just 40

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