Eldor Shomurodov

Key striker for Uzbekistan

Shomurodov has been named in Uzbekistan's World Cup squad as the focal point of the attack, arriving at the tournament in outstanding form after one of the most prolific seasons of his career with Basaksehir in the Turkish league.

Analysis: Shomurodov contributed an impressive 22 goals and five assists this season, establishing himself as one of the most clinical finishers in the Turkish top flight and arriving at the World Cup with the confidence and sharpness of a player at the peak of his powers. His combination of physical presence, intelligent movement and reliable finishing makes him one of the more dangerous strikers among the smaller nations at the tournament, and his role as one of Uzbekistan's designated penalty takers adds an additional layer to his threat in high-pressure situations. For Uzbekistan, Shomurodov is the player most likely to produce the decisive moments needed to cause upsets in a competitive group, and his goal-scoring form heading into the tournament makes him one of the more intriguing attacking options to watch this summer.