The Top Three Non-American MLS Stars who Played at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

By  //  November 30, 2022

The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts some of the biggest soccer stars on the planet. No other sporting event generates this sort of buzz, and with the rise of the USA’s soccer scene lately, the 2022 edition featured some global superstars who ply their trade in the MLS these days.

The MLS, of course, has a large US contingent, many of whom represented the US Men’s National Team – but there are some who have turned up for other nations, and raised the profile of the MLS in the process.

In this piece, we will list the three biggest non-American MLS players who featured in the 2022 World Cup. Outside of this list, there is a horde of other non-American players who took part in the tournament as well, who were key to their team’s fortunes.

If you’re familiar with the MLS and follow these names closely, make sure to keep an eye on the future markets on sportsbooks like Draftkings and Pointbet, who gave USA odds of close to +500 of getting out of their group at the start of the World Cup tournament.

ATS is providing some of the best sportsbook promo offers on the market for the duration of the World Cup, and these can set you up nicely for some off-season soccer betting.

Gareth Bale (Wales and LAFC)

He’s lit up the Champions League, the Euros, and even the MLS with LAFC in his first year in the competition. Bale already got off the mark in the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a goal against the USMNT, and has a big say in how far Wales gets in any tournaments that they participate in.

The Wales captain is one of the best players of his generation, and this tournament will likely see him play his final match for his beloved Wales.

Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland and Chicago Fire)

Another former Champions League winner, Xherdan Shaqiri has scored some great goals in the two previous World Cups he’s taken part in and is playing in his fourth World Cup.

The Chicago Fire winger is part of a tough group that includes Brazil, but the Swiss have been difficult opponents for some of the bigger nations in major tournaments over the years.

Some of their biggest scalps include a win over Spain in the 2010 World Cup, and France in the 2020 Euros. Xherdan Shaqiri is more than capable of helping Switzerland keep that tradition alive.

Hector Herrera (Mexico and Houston Dynamo)

Another player who looks set to play his final World Cup, Hector Herrera has been a real rock for Mexico in midfield and the Houston Dynamo since returning to North America. He’s played a big part in Mexico making it to the last 16 in the last two World Cups.

His best performances came against tougher opponents, where his selfless running and determination is on show. The biggest games need a player like him.

Mexico went out in the last two World Cups to some strong sides in Brazil and Netherlands, and when Herrera is fit and firing, Mexico depends on him to bring the big plays.