Mohamed Manai will arrive at the World Cup oozing with confidence on the back of a stellar season with Qatar Stars League runners-up Al Shamal. That will only add to the trust that head coach Lopetegui has put in the youngster, who was promoted to the senior setup last June as the search for a physical and courageous profile in midfield ended.

A versatile profile capable of pushing further up the pitch, Manai has frequently been amongst the scorers both at the club and at the age levels. The 22-year-old is also a handy profile to bring off the bench, but it will not be surprising if fielded as a starter.