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The names that dominate World Cup conversation every summer are familiar ones. Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe. They will attract the most coverage and probably score the most goals. But with 48 nations heading to North America this June, there are strikers in far less celebrated squads who could have a serious impact on the tournament.
For supporters sizing up the competition ahead of the summer, an online bet on one of these names at a long price might be worth more than backing the obvious names. Here are five forwards who could make a real impression.
Igor Thiago, Brazil
Igor Thiago scored his first hat-trick for Brentford in a 4-1 win at Everton in January this year, and by March, he had earned his first Brazil call-up. Sitting as the Premier League's second-highest scorer behind only Haaland, Thiago made his international debut in friendlies against France and Croatia, scoring from the penalty spot in the 88th minute to secure a late win against the latter.
Brazil's striker options heading into the summer are more open than you might expect, with Richarlison and Joao Pedro both short of top form. Thiago's relentless pressing and physicality make him a genuine option for Carlo Ancelotti. If he gets minutes, he will not waste them.
Deniz Undav, Germany
Only Harry Kane has more Bundesliga goals than Undav's 18 for VfB Stuttgart this season. Despite that, he sits behind Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade in the Germany pecking order and may not start a game this summer. That undervalued status is the point. Undav offers something different to the players ahead of him, a composed finisher who can change a game quickly off the bench. In a 48-team tournament with plenty of tight knockout matches, that profile carries real value.
Jonathan David, Canada
Canada are playing on home soil this summer for the first time in a World Cup, and their most important attacker arrives under pressure. David has struggled to rediscover his goalscoring touch since joining Juventus last summer, and the form dip is the story right now. But at his best, he is a sharp, intelligent forward capable of punishing any defence. A player of his ability finding form at a home tournament, in front of a crowd desperate for a deep run, is one of the more compelling storylines of the summer.
Yoane Wissa, DR Congo
DR Congo return to a World Cup for the first time in 52 years after their dramatic play-off win, with Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa among the squad's most experienced names. Wissa spent four seasons in the Premier League at Brentford before his move to Tyneside and has the goal record to back up his selection. At international level, he remains largely unknown outside of African football circles. With DR Congo drawn against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K, his ability to affect games against high-quality opposition will be tested immediately.
Viktor Gyokeres, Sweden
Sweden had no business being at this tournament by most reasonable assessments after a winless qualifying campaign. They got there anyway through the play-offs, and Gyokeres was the reason. He scored four goals across the two play-off matches, including a late winner against Poland in the decider. His form at Arsenal this season has been well documented at club level, but his international profile remains surprisingly low-key given what he produces. For fans looking to use a betting calculator to assess value in top-scorer markets, a player of his ability heading into a tournament at peak confidence is an angle worth exploring.
