Tottenham Hotspur

Cliff was capped 59 times - scoring 16 goals - and was part of the Wales team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where they were knocked out by Pele's Brazil. That team included two other Spurs legends in Mel Hopkins and Terry Medwin.

One of our all-time greats, Cliff joined us from Swansea in 1958 and went on to make 358 appearances in all competitions over the next 10 years.

He was a key member of Bill Nicholson's side that clinched the double of the First Division championship in 1960/61, reached the semi-finals of the European Cup and retained the FA Cup in 1961/62 and then made history by becoming the first British side to win a European trophy with our European Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1963 - he scored in the final, a 5-1 demolition of Atletico Madrid. He won his third FA Cup in 1967.

Famed for his pace, bravery and scoring goals, Cliff's haul of 159 remains sixth on our all-time goalscoring list.

Now 91, Cliff remains a regular at Totttenham Hotspur Stadium.

The fixture forms part of pre-season preparations with games against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea already confirmed for our 2026 pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia.

The Dons finished second in League Two last season, achieving automatic promotion back to the third tier under Head Coach Paul Warne.

Our most recent fixture against the Buckinghamshire side was a 3-1 victory at Stadium MK during pre-season in July, 2021, with Heung-Min Son, Dele and Lucas Moura all on target.

Details of further pre-season fixtures will be confirmed in due course.

He then played an integral role in England’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 96 under Terry Venables – starting all five matches and setting up one of England’s all-time great goals, Paul Gascoigne’s flick over Colin Hendrie and volley against Scotland.

Two tough years followed – he only featured in 31 of a possible 76 Premier League games as injuries struck – but, like Venables, he had another manager who believed in him and Glenn Hoddle named him in his squad for the 1998 World Cup.

Then, when England needed it most, Darren delivered, opening the scoring in a must-win final group match against Colombia, as he fired into the top corner. David Beckham quickly added a second and England were through but, unfortunately, the penalty jinx struck again as hopes were ended by Argentina in the Round of 16.

A League Cup winner in 1999, Darren went on to make 358 appearances for us between 1992-2004 and played for Birmingham City, Wolves and AFC Bournemouth before retiring in 2009. He won 30 caps, scoring seven goals.

Now based in California, Darren, speaking to us earlier this week, told us how America and co-hosts Mexico and Canada are embracing the tournament - which kicked-off last night with Mexico’s 2-0 win against South Africa - his hopes for England and continuing our series ‘what’s it like to…’

Q1 | You’re based in California, has the American public taken to co-hosting the tournament?

Darren: “Yes, they definitely have. Where we are, it's not a massive footballing area. We're not far from San Jose, which is, and then San Francisco's got the World Cup matches, LA has as well and everyone I speak, they’re all interested in the World Cup. From what I’ve seen, they’re really going for it. It’s everywhere on TV. Of course, a lot of the talking points here are ticket prices, hotels, transport, but it’s such a corporate world now. For instance, try to get to the Super Bowl, it's ridiculous. Try to go and watch the Golden State Warriors basketball, it's four or five hundred dollars. It is the nature of the beast, unfortunately.”

Q2 | You enjoyed such a fantastic Euro 96, but you had to come through a lot to make it to the World Cup in 1998…

Darren: “I'd had such a time of it, you know, from Euro 96 with the injuries, those two seasons were just so difficult for me. You know what though, it was all worth it, right? I thought I was going to miss out on the World Cup. It was my dream to play for England, to play at a World Cup. Every kid grows up pretending he's scoring a goal for England in the World Cup. We all dream of it playing in the back garden, smashing the ball against the garage door that ends up being broken and your mum and dad going mad! We all did that!”

Q3 | So, tell us, what’s it like to score for England at the World Cup?

Darren: “It's a moment that… nothing gets close to it. I have to be honest, in terms of, you know, footballing life, you have great seasons, you have great games, you score great goals, but nothing can quite... nothing can match the emotion of that moment for me.”

It was a great goal as well, rifled into the top corner!

Darren: “Yes, it's nice that it was a good goal! You know what? I just always go back to watching Alan Ball growing up at Portsmouth, how lucky I was to have that, and it's all about your first touch. That sets it up. Then your technique, which is something you practise on and to hit a volley and catch it as sweet as a nut is like, wow, beautiful!”

Q4 | Did scoring at the World Cup change anything for you?

Darren: “It's the biggest moment in my footballing life. You know, just that one moment, that one second when the ball hits the back of the net and you're a World Cup goalscorer for England. We needed to beat Colombia and to score the first goal and then David Beckham scores as well - everyone obviously wants to talk about that! Even now, almost 30 years on, I played at the World Cup, scored at the World Cup with David Beckham – that kind of makes people sit up and go, ‘wow, okay, yeah’.”

Q5 | Finally Darren, what about this time around – hopes for England?

Darren: “It's a tough one. I want to say England – and yes, we can do it, for sure. However, I really like the French. I just think that they've got such a good mentality now. They've had nightmares in the past, like every team has, but I think that's the squad that stands out to me - they're going to be the team to beat. Then, you always think when it's over here, North America, South America, it's the South American teams that will win it. So, for me, Brazil and Argentina, you've got to look at them as well, but I think the best team all round is probably France.”

SPURSPLAY

Having put pen to paper on Wednesday (10 June) to make the move to north London and become a Spurs player, Marcos has now been called up by Lionel Scaloni to be part of the Argentina squad which will defend their World Cup title this summer.

Initially named in Scaloni's preliminary 55-man squad, the centre-back looked to have missed out on a place at the tournament when he was then not selected for the final 26-man roster.

However, following an injury to Leonardo Balerdi, our new man was the player chosen to replace the Marseille defender and he will now head out to the Americas to join his fellow countrymen.

He of course will link up with new club team-mate Cristian Romero who has also been named in Scaloni's 26-man squad for the World Cup.

Argentina's first outing of the tournament is scheduled for Wednesday 17 June with the test of Algeria. That is a 2am (UK) kick-off.

Congratulations, Marcos!

SPURSPLAY

The 2026 World Cup kicks off tonight and there is plenty of Spurs interest in the tournament with 10 of our players set to don their respective nations' jerseys at the world's biggest sporting event.

There will be 104 matches being played at this summer's tournament - the most ever at a World Cup - so, to help you keep track of how our players are getting on, who and when they are playing plus how you can watch the game (UK), here is all you need to know.

For our players, it all begins in the early hours of Sunday morning (14 June) with new boy Andy Robertson the first in action with him set to lead Scotland into their first World Cup match in 28 years

Group stage

Sunday 14 June

Andy Robertson - Scotland vs Haiti

Kick-off 2am

Watch on the BBC

Micky van de Ven – Netherlands vs Japan

kick-off 9pm

Watch on ITV

Monday 15 June

Lucas Bergvall – Sweden vs Tunisia

Kick-off 3am

Watch on ITV

Pedro Porro – Spain vs Cape Verde

Kick-off 5pm

Watch on ITV

Rodrigo Bentancur – Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia

Kick-off 11pm

Watch on ITV

Tuesday 16 June

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal vs France

Kick-off 8pm

Watch on the BBC

Wednesday 17 June

Cristian Romero – Argentina vs Algeria

Kick-off 2am

Watch on ITV

Kevin Danso – Austria vs Jordan

Kick-off 5am

Watch on the BBC

Djed Spence vs Luka Vuskovic – England vs Croatia

Kick-off 9pm

Watch on ITV

Friday 19 June

Andy Robertson - Scotland vs Morocco

Kick-off 11pm

Watch on ITV

Saturday 20 June

Micky van de Ven vs Lucas Bergvall – Netherlands vs Sweden

Kick-off 6pm

Watch on the BBC

Sunday 21 June

Pedro Porro – Spain vs Saudi Arabia

Kick-off 5pm

Watch on the BBC

Rodrigo Bentancur – Uruguay vs Cape Verde

Kick-off 11pm

Watch on the BBC

Monday 22 June

Cristian Romero vs Kevin Danso – Argentina vs Austria

Kick-off 6pm

Watch on the BBC

Tuesday 23 June

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal vs Norway

Kick-off 1am

Watch on ITV

Djed Spence – England vs Ghana

Kick-off 9pm

Watch on the BBC

Wednesday 24 June

Luka Vuskovic – Croatia vs Panama

Kick-off 12am

Watch on the BBC

Andy Robertson - Scotland vs Brazil

Kick-off 11pm

Watch on the BBC

Friday 26 June

Lucas Bergvall – Sweden vs Japan

Kick-off 12am

Watch on the BBC

Micky van de Ven – Netherlands vs Tunisia

Kick-off 12am

Watch on the BBC

Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal vs Iraq

Kick-off 8pm

Watch on ITV

Saturday 27 June

Rodrigo Bentancur vs Pedro Porro – Uruguay vs Spain

Kick-off 1am

Watch on ITV

Djed Spence – England vs Panama

Kick-off 10pm

Watch on ITV

Luka Vuskovic – Croatia vs Ghana

Kick-off 10pm

Watch on ITV

Sunday 28 June

Kevin Danso – Austria vs Algeria

Kick-off 3am

Watch on the BBC

Cristian Romero – Argentina vs Jordan

Kick-off 3am

Watch on the BBC

Details of any subsequent knockout fixtures involving our players will be added as fixture details are confirmed.

Colin lined up alongside Colin Hendry in central defence as Scotland took on Brazil in the opening match of the 1998 World Cup in France. Opposite, in the yellow corner, a quite fearsome front four of Giovanni, Bebeto, Rivaldo and, of course, spearheaded by R9, Ronaldo – not forgetting the likes of Roberto Carlos, Cafu and Dunga!

Scotland were also packed with talent – Burley, Lambert, Collins, Durie, Gallacher – and weren’t there to make up the numbers.

Fast-forward 28 years and the greatest football show on earth is all set to kick off again this evening as co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup.

It’s one of the showpiece matches in football – and Colin was part of it at the Stade de France in 1998, an experience he was happy to share with us again this week.

So Colin, what’s it like to… play in the opening game of the World Cup?

Colin: “It’s a game that’s certainly put on a pedestal. It’s either the hosts country of the previous winners and in this case, it was the previous winners in Brazil. Initially, following the draw, it took a little while to realise that that was going to be the opening game! It just adds another level to that game - playing Brazil, playing the winners, opening the World Cup, and the first time we'd been there for a number of years as well. There is a big build-up. I must admit, once you get into March or April time, as soon as the draw's made, you're thinking, ‘I've got to make sure I keep my form and stay in the squad’.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking, I must say. The only slight advantage was we had something similar in Euro 96, when our first game was against Holland, who were big, big favourites, yet we got Gary McAllister and John Collins on the ball and that gave us all self-belief and confidence to settle down. That experience definitely helped, because now we’re going into this game against Brazil and you’ve got Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Bebato, it was a multi-talented team and we had the worst possible start. It was all about settling into the game, first passes, stay solid, get through the first 10 minutes – and they scored after five minutes (Cesar Sampaio) from a corner. You’re thinking all about their Samba football, and they beat us from a corner and an own goal!

“It was a pity, because through qualifying, we were excellent defensively, minimal goals against us in the qualifying campaign, which takes a bit of doing. But then we’re undone early from a corner. That Brazil team had speed, and they attacked down the outside, but they were big, physical, fast, technical players as well. They scored from corner kick and they took goal-kicks long. They mixed it up.

“As an experience, it was very emotional, especially when the national anthem was played. My thoughts at that moment were on my family and friends in the crowd and a lot of people back home in Stranraer, a small town back in Scotland and the people watching the game there on TV. I’d come from there and with 21 other players, was on the pitch ready for the opening game of the World Cup. I remembered a couple of moments playing school football as a kid and there I was. You could easily lose yourself in the fantasy of that moment.”

It’s the start of a football feast – an expanded format of 48 teams playing 72 group games from 11 June until 27 June in America, Mexico and Canada before 32 progress to the knockout stage. By the time the final whistle blows in the final at New Jersey Stadium on 19 July, we’ll have witnessed 104 matches!

As we count down the hours to the 8pm kick-off in Mexico City – remembering that Heung-Min Son’s South Korea follow against Czech Republic at 3am on Friday morning – we asked 20 Spurs legends – 11 of whom played the World Cup – a simple question, with a tricky answer…

Who wins the World Cup, and why?

Here’s what they had to say – and make sure you have your say in the comments!

Darren Anderton

Played at the 1998 World Cup with England

It's a tough one. I want to say England – and we can do it, for sure. However, I really like the French. I just think that they've got such a good mentality now. They've had nightmares in the past, like every team has, but I think that's the squad that stands out to me - they're going to be the team to beat. Then, you always think when it's over here, North America, South America, it's the South American teams that will win it. So, for me, Brazil and Argentina, you've got to look at them as well, but I think the best team all round is probably France.

Paul Allen

FA Cup winner at Spurs

Obviously, I will be cheering on England and would love to see us win it. Outside of England, I think France could be the team to beat, with their current squad and previous World Cup history. I think they are strong contenders. They have depth and talent within their squad and will be physically strong and competitive.

Ossie Ardiles

Played at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups with Argentina, winner in 1978

You have to mention the usual suspects – so, for South America, it's always Brazil and Argentina. Brazil aren’t great right now though. This is why Carlo Ancelotti is in charge, and they are trying to see he can make some kind of miracle, because don’t forget they only qualified in the last game in South America qualifying. So, Argentina is the best, but I would never, ever write Brazil off. In Europe, you are talking specifically Spain and France. Also, Portugal, they have a super team. It’s not just about Ronaldo, they have a super midfield with the two guys from PSG (Neves and Vitinha), wonderful, plus Bruno Fernandes. I think they are going to be there, definitely.

Seb Bassong

Played at the 2010 World Cup with Cameroon

I have mixed feelings, but I would say Portugal, simply because for me they have an amazing squad and they have been working on that squad for a long time. Cristiano Ronaldo has to be on the bench, not start the game. They have such a wonderful bunch of kids, talented, that have been winning the Champions League with PSG, for instance, and so many others. So, my take would go on Portugal.

Dimitar Berbatov

League Cup winner at Spurs

France - great players. Or… England – it’s about time.

Colin Calderwood

Played at the 1998 World Cup with Scotland

I think one of the African teams might win it – Ghana, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Egpyt, Morocco, Tunisia. They’re out of everyone’s focus a little. They all have the physicality you need, and I just think they're all good teams. Don’t forget Morocco reached the semi-finals last time in Qatar. The African Nations tournament this year was also really good. I just think they’re all so strong, physical, athletic, good players. Also, the emotion those countries bring to the World Cup helps the tournament massively in terms of atmosphere. It just shows how passionate people are about football all over the world, it’s lovely to see.

Michael Dawson

Member of England 2010 World Cup squad

I'd like to say England, and they certainly could do it. I’ve actually given us more of a chance in the previous two tournaments, which is a little strange when we've got a manager who is a serial winner in Thomas Tuchel! I think we've an incredible squad, incredible manager, but I think we’ll come up just short. France are my favourites, but if our big players turn up, if Harry Kane has a tournament of his life, for instance, why can't England win it? It’s all about big players in big moments and that's why I just look at France, I just think they can score the big goals at big times, they been there before and at the moment, I’d just go for them.

Eric Dier

Played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups with England

I hope England win it, because they've got a great manager and they've got Harry Kane. I also think they've got some of the best players in the world in a few positions. They’ve also built up a lot of experience over recent tournaments and have a lot of players in the squad who have won trophies, players who have managed to get over the line - maybe that could be the difference.

Erik Edman

Played at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups with Sweden

Everyone says France because of the quality and depth of the squad they have, but I hope Spain will win it. I like the way they play, and they also have a playing style that probably can cope with the heat! After watching them beat Sweden 3-1 recently, I think Norway can go quite far, they look solid and have both pace and power up front, and will be good at set plays which very often has a decisive impact on games in a World Cup.

Micky Hazard

FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner at Spurs

Argentina – it’s Lionel Messi’s final appearance at the World Cup. He will be so up for it, and if he fires, any team fires.

David Howells

FA Cup winner with Spurs

I've a strong feeling for Brazil. I just feel, in the continent where it is, under the conditions that they're going to have to play under, it's going to be very difficult for a European team to win. I feel like the support Brazil will get, and the players they have in their team, in their squad, strength in depth, a winning manager in Carlo Ancelotti - a manager who knows how to win. I've just got a strong feeling that Brazil will be the team to beat, so they're my tip for the World Cup.

Chris Hughton

Played at the 1990 World Cup for Republic of Ireland

For me, France. It’s about the quality of players, of course, but mostly the experience of winning in recent years.

Martin Jol

Took Spurs back into Europe as manager, 2004-07

Favourites for the World Cup are Spain and France, because of the quality in their attack. My dark horses or outsiders will be Portugal, England and Brazil (if Ancelotti can create a winning mentality). If you really want one winner of the World Cup, I will give it to Spain. For me, England shot themselves in the foot because of (Cole) Palmer, who could have been a difference maker to really give the Three Lions a chance to win the World Cup – then I would have made them a favourites as well!

Ledley King

Played at the 2010 World Cup with England

I think there are four teams that probably feel like a good chance. I'd say France, Spain, England and Argentina, with Portugal as my dark horses. I think England's tournament will be the next Euros, I think we win that one. So, if I had to pick one for this World Cup, I would probably have to go for Spain.

Paul Miller

FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner at Spurs

I believe France will win the World Cup as they have top players in all the big positions. Plus, most of their team are consistent trophy winners for their clubs, so they know what it takes to get over the line.

Gus Poyet

Capped 26 times by Uruguay

I go three or four natural candidates, a couple I like. France are very, very strong – sometimes you don't know if the starting XI is the best or the four or five changes that come from the bench, and that's a great advantage. They are big. They are strong. They have the speed, the technique. I mean, they’ve got everything! Then I would say Spain, Argentina. I also fancy England more than ever. For the first time, in my opinion, it's more of a team than individuals. Okay, Harry Kane is there, the leader, and there are more – but it's more about the team. Also, if Thomas Tuchel achieves what I think he's trying to achieve, to make a team play in a certain way, then England have everything. I have to say also, I like Carlo Ancelotti with Brazil. He’s more than a coach, plus the quality of the players.

Graham Roberts

FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner at Spurs

I’m going for France as they have best squad. Also, I think they have players all over the pitch who can score – forwards, midfielders, and they’re strong at the back, so they have everything!

Erik Thorstvedt

Played at the 1994 World Cup for Norway

I’ll go for France. They are just stacked with good players, and a manager that has been with them for a long time.

Kevin Wimmer

Capped nine times by Austria

France are always amazing, but I will go with Brazil, I’ve watched their friendly against Panama (Brazil won 6-2) and they have so much individual quality, plus Carlo Ancelotti. If they can make a team together on the pitch I think they have some of the highest quality individuals and they can do it. Look, maybe France will win it, but I will go for Brazil because I like the style of football they play, it’s very joyful to watch and they have amazing players. Also, I hope it goes well for Sonny and South Korea. I’m still good friends with Sonny and I hope he can make an impact as always, hopefully they’ll get out of their group.

Jan Vertonghen

Played at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups for Belgium, bronze medal in 2018

I'm saying Belgium, of course, sorry, I have to! Why? I think they have a group who's very well aligned, better than the than the previous years, in my opinion. Everyone is on the same page. I’m just convinced that something can be special. Obviously, the bigger favourites are probably France and Portugal, but I believe Belgium can do it and that they can grow into the tournament.

It all starts with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the famous Azteca (now known as the Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City.

Co-hosted by USA and Canada, this will be the 23rd World Cup, the inaugural tournament back in 1930.

Here's the final instalment looking back at the Spurs players to grace the biggest footballing stage of all...

Spurs at the World Cup | 2022

We waited 88 years and 20 tournaments for a Spurs player to win the World Cup – then two lifted the trophy in the space of four years!

Following Hugo Lloris’ success with France in 2018, Cristian Romero was an integral part of the Argentina side that ensured Lionel Messi followed in the footsteps of Diego Maradona by winning the great price of all. By the time of the final, a Spurs player was going to come back to Hotspur Way as world champion – Cuti’s Argentina took on Hugo’s France in an epic final.

Cristian Romero

Cuti played in all seven of Argentina’s matches en route to winning the trophy, starting six of them including the final. He was in the Albiceleste’s starting XI for their opening game 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history, but was taken off on 59 minutes and didn’t start the next game against Mexico. However, after playing the final 21 minutes in the 2-0 win over Mexico, he then started every subsequent game – Poland, Australia, a quarter-final thriller against the Netherlands that went to penalties, Croatia and then a memorable final against France. Argentina led 2-0 until Kylian Mbappe’s late double took it to extra time. Messi made it 3-2, only for Mbappe’s hat-trick goal two minutes from time to take it to penalties – Argentina scored four out of four to win it 4-2.

Hugo Lloris

Club captain Hugo came close to becoming the first player in history to lift the World Cup trophy twice, only for France to lose the final to Argentina. However, he did become a record-breaker when he featured against England in the quarter-finals, becoming France’s most-capped player by winning his 143rd cap. Hugo was on the pitch for every minute of six out France’s seven matches, missing the third group game against Tunisia when his country had already qualified.

Harry Kane, Eric Dier

Harry became England’s joint top goalscorer during the tournament, but suffered the heartbreak of missing a crucial penalty in the quarter-final against France as the Three Lions’ exited the competition. Kane’s successful penalty in that game, scoring against Hugo Lloris, took him level with Wayne Rooney on 53 England goals, but he missed his second spot-kick with seven minutes remaining as his side lost 2-1. The England captain, Harry started all five of his nation’s games, also scoring against Senegal in the Round of 16. Eric featured in two matches, twice called off the bench by England manager Gareth Southgate, featuring for 20 minutes in 6-2 group stage win over Iran and played the final 13 minutes of his nation’s 3-0 defeat of Senegal in the Round of 16.

Ivan Perisic

A runner-up with Croatia at the 2018 World Cup, Ivan helped his country to a third-place finish this time around. The midfielder played more minutes in the 2022 tournament than any other outfield player in the Premier League, starting all seven of Croatia’s matches as they defeated Morocco in the third/fourth place play-off. Ivan scored once, in the 1-1 draw with Japan in the Round of 16, which Croatia won on penalties. They did the same against Brazil in the quarters before succumbing to Argentina in the last four.

Richarlison

Richarlison was our top scorer at the tournament with his three-goal haul. A regular starter for his country, Richy opened his account with both goals in Brazil’s opening game 2-0 win over Serbia with his second a Goal of the Tournament contender as he controlled, swivelled and fired home an acrobatic volley. He featured in four matches in total, missing the final group game against Cameroon, and scored his third goal in the 4-1 defeat of South Korea in the Round of 16, before Brazil exited on penalties to Croatia.

Heung-Min Son

Featuring in his third World Cup, Sonny made it 10 appearances in the Finals as he added four more games to his tally last month. Sonny was in tears as he helped South Korea reach the Last 16, setting up Hwang Hee-Chan to score a dramatic late winner against Portugal to secure second spot in their group. However, Sonny, who captained South Korea, was unable to prevent his side losing 4-1 to Brazil in the Round of 16. He played every minute of his side’s four games.

Pape Matar Sarr

African champions Senegal reached the Round of 16 at last month’s tournament, with Pape Matar Sarr featuring in two of their four games. Although yet to make a competitive first team appearance for us, the midfielder came off the bench for the final 13 minutes of Senegal’s 3-1 group stage win over hosts Qatar and was introduced as a half-time substitute during his side’s 3-0 defeat by England in the Last 16.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo Bentancur’s World Cup ended in a double disappointment as he was forced off injured in Uruguay’s final group game, which saw them exit the competition despite a 2-0 win over Ghana. The defensive midfielder had started both previous matches in the group stage as Uruguay drew 0-0 with South Korea and lost 2-0 to Portugal. He was substituted in the 34th minute against Ghana and had to watch on from the bench as his side won but South Korea’s victory over Portugal in the other game saw them progress at Uruguay’s expense.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was ever-present for Denmark at the tournament, as they failed to progress past the group stage. Making his World Cup debut, Hojbjerg played every minute of Denmark’s three group matches but there was disappointment for the all-action midfielder as his side drew 0-0 with Tunisia before suffering defeats to France (2-1) and Australia (1-0).

Ben Davies, Joe Rodon

Wales were making their first appearance at a World Cup since 1958 and Ben and Joe featured in all three of their group games in Qatar. He started every game, playing the full 90 minutes as Wales drew 1-1 with USA and then lost 2-0 to Iran, before being substituted 59 minutes into their 3-0 defeat to England in the final game, a result which ended their interest in the competition.