World Cup fever has well and truly taken over, with the tournament's opening game only a few days away. Every four years the World Cup throws up a few surprises, but there will always be young players who rise to the occasion and announce themselves on the world stage. Here at Balls.ie we have compiled a list of eight players – one from every group – that you should look out for. Some you will have heard of before, some you may not have, but all these young players could play a key role for their nation if given a chance. So lets get down to the players.
Group A - Hector Herrera - Mexico
24 year old Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera operates in the engine room of the midfield. In the true "box-to-box" midfielder mould, Herrera first came to the attention of the big European teams after a string of impressive performances in the London 2012 Olympic Games as Mexico won the gold medal. After the Olympics, Herrera was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, but it was Portuguese giants FC Porto who agreed a deal with Mexican club side Pachuca to bring the man nicknamed "El Zorrillo" or "The Skunk" to European club football. Herrera would have hoped to have made more than 17 appearances in the last campaign, but he plays a key role for Mexico and will no doubt be at the heart of any success 'El Tri' have in Brazil.
Group B - Memphis Depay - The Netherlands
PSV winger Memphis Depay is one of the rising stars coming out of the Eredivisie. At 20 years old, Depay is pushing to start opposite Arjen Robben on the left wing of Holland's attacking 3 after establishing himself as one of PSV's key players. With bags of pace and flair in abundance, as well as surprising upper body strength for a young winger, Depay is already on the radar of most major clubs, with new Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal reportedly keen to bring him to Old Trafford. The Netherlands have a tough group in Brazil, so it remains to be seen if Van Gaal will go with youth from the start, but he should see some action in Brazil, and the transfer speculation surrounding him could explode if he can contribute.
Group C - Serge Aurier - Ivory Coast
21 year old right back Serge Aurier is coming off of an excellent campaign for Toulouse in France's Ligue 1. On a team that is not noted for it's attacking play, the Ivorian managed 6 goals and 6 assists last season from a defensive position. His performances last season have understandably attracted interest from clubs all over Europe, with Liverpool reportedly interested, and Arsene Wenger said to be considering Aurier as a replacement for Bacary Sagna at Arsenal. The Ivory Coast come into the tournament with high expectations due to a reasonably kind draw, and it will be interesting to see if Serge Aurier can replicate his club form at the highest level and inspire 'Les Elephants' to success.
Group D - Lorenzo Insigne - Italy
Napoli's lightning quick winger/attacking midfielder Lorenzo Insigne is one of the better known players on this list, and that is because of increasingly impressive performances under Rafa Benitez for Napoli in Serie A. One of the hottest young talents in European football, Insigne forced his way into the Italy squad after a great year at club level, where he managed to score home and away against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League group stages, and score a brace in Napoli's Coppa Italia final win. In a tough group, Italy could turn to Insigne to provide pace on the break, and England fans will be no doubt hoping he fails to deliver on his undoubted potential.
Group E - Antoine Greizmann - France
Another player who should be familiar to most is outstanding French talent Antoine Greizmann. The Real Sociedad winger has been thrust into the spotlight after a great year in Spain, where he bagged 20 goals in all competitions. Another winger with great pace, Greizmann's impeccable first touch and eye for a pass are what sets him apart from the rest of the pack. Greizmann is expected to play a major role for France following Frank Ribery's back injury which has sidelined the Bayern star for the tournament, and this could be the chance that he needs to make himself a household name. Reportedly a big-money target for PSG, it will be interesting to see if Real Sociedad can manage to hold on to their French star after this summers' tournament.
Group F - Sead Kolasinac - Bosnia & Herzegovina
To put it bluntly, Sead Kolasinac is a beast. The 20 year old German-born Bosnian is a left-back with impressive physical strength, and a "no nonsense" mentality in terms of defensive play. A "nippy" winger's worst nightmare, expect Kolasinac to pick up the odd booking in Brazil. That is not to say he can't play, in fact, his performances for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga last season have seen him become regarded as a real talent at left-back, and his name is now on the radar of the continent's biggest clubs. Manchester United were heavily linked with him before the Luke Shaw interest became apparent, and after recently declaring Bosnia were the only option for his international career (having previously represented Germany at under-age level) the burly left-back will be hoping he gets a chance to shine in Brazil.
Group G - Julian Green - USA
Julian Green is seen as the next great hope for the United States Mens National Team. Having grown up in Germany, the young striker holds a dual-citizenship with Germany and the US, but recently declared for the States after Jurgen Klinsmann invited him to train with the American squad in November 2013. Although he has not yet made a senior appearance for Bayern Munich, Green has been very impressive for Bayern Munich II, netting 15 goals in 23 games last season, and is seen as a wildcard for the US team in Brazil. He may not see any game action, but his pace, fantastic dribbling skills, and finishers instinct mean that if he is called upon, he could turn a few heads.
Group H - Saphir Taider - Algeria
French-born midfield maestro Saphir Taider is one of a number of young talents in the Algeria squad for this year's World Cup, and is expected to be the African nation's creative force from midfield. After bursting onto the Serie A scene with an excellent season for Bologna in 2013, Taider was signed by Inter Milan, where he struggled to make an impact in an Inter team in transition. Nevertheless, Saphir Taider plays a significant role for his country, and Algerian fans will be hoping his eye for a pass can unlock the Belgian, Russian, and Korean defences and spark an unlikely run for 'Les Fennecs'.
