The 2022 Qatar World Cup is fast approaching and there are many Leeds United players who will be vying for a place this year's tournament. Due to the extreme heat in Middle East, the competition will be contested across November and December, rather than the usual summer months.
A total of 19 teams have already qualified for the World Cup, while there are still 13 places to fill from a number of continents. Nine European countries sealed their place at the tournament when the group stages ended last November - with the play-offs now being staged to determine the other four nations to go through.
Meanwhile, there are still a few places from Africa, South America, Asia and North America to be decided ahead of the draw for the competition next week. A whole host of Leeds United players will be keenly interested in that. With that in mind, LeedsLive have taken a look at the Whites stars who will be hoping to play at the World Cup.
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Dan James, Tyler Roberts - Wales
Following Thursday night's dramatic 2-1 victory over Austria, James' Wales are just one win away from the World Cup. Gareth Bale's brace earned a memorable success for Rob Page's side in Cardiff and they will face either Scotland or Ukraine in the play-off finish in June. Tyler Roberts missed out against Austria following his season-ending surgery earlier this month, but will be hoping to quickly establish himself in the squad next season.
Robin Koch - Germany
After being recalled to the Germany squad for the first time since last July, Koch will be hoping to named in the squad for the tournament this year. The centre-back was selected for Euro 2020 but didn't make an appearance in their four matches as they were knocked out by England in the last-16.
Diego Llorente, Rodrigo - Spain
Like Germany, Spain have already booked their place in Qatar and there are two Leeds players who will be eyeing a place in the squad. Llorente earned a recall to the Spain side for friendlies against Albania and Iceland, while Rodrigo has been in fine form for Leeds of late and could be in line for another cap soon.
Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford - England
Having missed the last three months through injury, Phillips wasn't included in Gareth Southgate's latest squad but is one of the favourites to be in the side for the World Cup after impressing at Euro 2020. Meanwhile, Bamford made his England debut in September but has struggled with injuries since. The mid-winter World Cup could be a blessing for both, as they look to get minutes under their belts.
Mateusz Klich - Poland
As Poland were given a bye to the World Cup play-off final, Klich was left out of his nation's latest squad for two friendlies as Paulo Sousa wanted to look at other options. Poland were set to face Russia, however, their invasion of Ukraine meant Sousa's side were handed a bye to face Sweden in the final.
Liam Cooper - Scotland
It has been a frustrating campaign for Cooper, who sustained a serious hamstring injury against Brentford back in December and hasn't featured since. This meant the defender had to miss Scotland's friendlies against Poland and Austria after Steve Clarke's side were meant to face Ukraine in the World Cup play-off semi-final.
Raphinha - Brazil
The 25-year-old made his Brazil debut earlier in the season and has become an integral member of the side as they qualified for the tournament in November. Raphinha has scored three times for his national team - twice against Uruguay and once in a 4-0 win over Paraguay.
Wildcards
Yet to be capped by the senior French side, Leeds stopper Illan Meslier will be hoping that he can graduate from his country's under-21s squad to the full team by the time that the tournament rolls around in November. France sealed their qualification in November as Group D winners.
Pascal Struijk is another player yet to win his first senior international cap, but was tipped for a place in the Qatar-bound Netherlands' squad last season. Elsewhere, the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Cresswell have featured for England's youth squads and may eye late charges into Gareth Southgate's squad, if they can force their way into the Leeds starting line-up before the end of 2022.
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