With the likes of Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands coming to Houston for this month’s World Cup, there are some big name players who will be playing right here in our city. This was a very difficult list to make, but here are the top 20 players who will be playing in Houston at the World Cup, starting with numbers twenty through eleven. Check back tomorrow for numbers ten through one.

(all players images via Fotmob)

20. Cody Gakpo, Forward, Netherlands

The Liverpool attacker can play anywhere on the front line for the Dutch. With question marks on who else will be in the Netherlands attack, Gakpo will be counted on to shoulder a lof the creating and scoring.

19. João Cancelo, Defender, Portugal

**Club: Barcelona (on loan from Al Hilal)**
**Age: 32**

Cancelo has bounced around in his club career but, even at 32-years-old, he is a key piece to Portugal’s defense. It’ll be between him and Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot for the starting right back job, opposite of Nuno Mendes. Cancelo’s experience and winning pedigree may give him the edge.

18. Alexander Isak, Forward, Sweden

A lot of people may forget about Isak after his rough first season at Liverpool. But, with the other attackers Sweden has, this World Cup could be a great chance for him to get back in form and find his scoring boots.

17. Jurriën Timber, Defender, Netherlands

There is an argument to be made that Timber is the best right back in the world. Arsenal won the Premier League and made the Champions League final thanks in large part to their stout defense. Timber is a big part of that and his versatility is also an assest for the Dutch.

16. Rúben Dias, Defender, Portugal

Dias is getting close to 30-years-old but he is still one of the most tactically sound center backs in world football. He was asked to do a lot in Pep Guardiola’s system at Manchester City and he has excelled. Now he gets to anchor what might be the best defense in this World Cup.

15. Kai Havertz, Forward, Arsenal

There aren’t many players who have scored in multiple Champions League finals but Havertz has done just that. He’s theoretically going to get a lot of chances with the talented players Germany is going to put around him. If the Germans make a run, don’t be surprised to see Havertz in the fight for the Golden Boot.

14. Denzel Dumfries, Defender, Netherlands

The Dutch right back is reportedly on the verge of a move to Real Madrid for next season. With his club future decided, Dumfries will now look to show what makes him so valuable for the Netherlands. He’s been so good at right back for club and country that the talented Jeremie Frimpong didn’t even make the Dutch squad.

13. Antonio Rüdiger, Defender, Germany

Rüdiger is one of those center backs that gets better with age. Now 33-years-old, he’s still one of the best defenders in the world with Real Madrid and he will be central to a Germany team that has aspirations of lifting the World Cup trophy in New Jersey next month.

12. Florian Wirtz, Midfielder, Germany

Wirtz has been called a flop after his blockbuster move to Liverpool last summer didn’t go as planned in the first season. Call him what you may, but there is no doubting the talent Wirtz has. The Premier League may have been a big jump for him but being back at the center of the Germany attack should reinvigorate Wirtz and show the world, again, how good he can be.

11. Viktor Gyökeres, Forward, Sweden

Gyökeres loves scoring goals, expecially for his country. He scored a hat trick in a win over Ukraine in the UEFA playoffs that got Sweden into this World Cup. He scored 14 goals in his first season in the Premier League and now the brightest lights of them all beckon for this talisman.

Top 20 Players Coming to Houston for the World Cup: Part 1