Four Aston Villa players will be going to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it can now be revealed. Every single one of the 32 national teams at the 2022 tournament have now announced their final 26-man squads - with the final side to do so being Ecuador, on Monday, November 14.
The Villans who have earned a place on their respective nations’ planes are goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Leander Dendoncker (Belgium), Jan Bednarek, and Matty Cash (both Poland). All four will have the chance top play their first matches of the group stage within two days of each other.
Argentina take on Saudi Arabia on at 10am on Tuesday, November 22, Poland face Mexico at 4pm the same day, and Belgium play Canada at 8pm on Wednesday, November 23. Meanwhile, former Villa man Jack Grealish could be in action as England clash with Iran on Monday, November 21.
All of this World Cup talk has got us thinking... what other Villans have made it to the festival of football over the years? Here are all the Villa players to have been called up for any of the last five World Cup tournaments and where they are now – from either 2018 Russia, 2014 Brazil, 2010 South Africa, 2006 Germany, or 2002 Japan.
1. Bosko Balaban - Croatia (2002)
Now a football agent and runs BB Sport Management & Consulting. (Image credit: Jamie McDonald /AllSport)
2. Darius Vassell - England (2002)
Now a Youth Coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Image credit: Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT)
3. Steve Staunton - Ireland (2002)
Now keeping a low profile after being declared bankrupt in 2016. (Image credit: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
4. Alpay Ozalan - Turkey (2002)
Now a politician in his home country - formerly a Member of the National Assembly of Turkey. (Image credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)