Russia 2018: The best player on every team at the World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

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RENNES, FRANCE – JANUARY 30: Wahbi Khazri of Stade Rennais during the French League Cup (Coupe de la Ligue) match between Stade Rennais and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Roazhon Park on January 30, 2018 in Rennes, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

Tunisia: Whabi Khazri

Tunisia qualified to their first World Cup in 12 years and generally impressed while doing so. A number of key members of their squad have been linked to top Premier League sides during the summer and they have impressed in the friendlies they have played so far.

However, their World Cup hopes have taken a rather large dent with the injury of Youssef Msakni. Widely considered their best player, the 27-year-old is a creative forward with an eye for goal. His injury will put further reliance on his attacking teammates, particularly Whabi Khazri.

Yes, the very same Whabi Khazri who was invisible in his two years at Sunderland. The midfielder has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts on loan to French side Rennes and has been a crucial cog for his country playing at the top of an attacking trident. He’s scored nine league goals this season and has been linked with a number of teams.

Khazri will be the attacking centerpiece in the absence of Msakni and it will be important for the Tunisian to keep his head, with some reports claiming he’s combustable, citing a friendly with Costa Rica as an example. This will be part of his game that he will need to control with Tunisia not gifted with much margin for error in this group.

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