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A team's success is dependent on its defence. The defenders need to be at the top of their game for the team to make an impact at the FIFA World Cup. Here are the top five defenders to watch out for in Qatar.
Marquinhos (Brazil)
The 28-year-old Paris St Germain captain has an important role to play if Brazil has to win the FIFA World Cup for the sixth time. He makes the Brazilian backline very tough to break through, along with captain Thiago Silva.
Ruben Dias (Portugal)
The Manchester City centre-back will be determined to make it a memorable outing after not featuring in any of Portugal's four games in Russia in 2018. Dias, who has worn the national colours 39 times, is placed in the difficult Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. Dias must be in his element.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Virgil van Dijk is an experienced centre-back who adds solidity to the Dutch defence. It is his physical strength that makes him an integral part of the Dutch defence. The 31-year-old player from Liverpool has earned 49 caps for the Oranje so far. Netherlands is placed in a relatively easy Group A, but it is in the knockout phase that they will face their greatest challenge.
Alphonso Davies (Canada)
It is no secret that the 21-year-old has made a huge impact on the Canadian backline and the German titans Bayern Munich. It is widely believed that the left-back is one of the best in the business. Canada is placed in a tough Group F with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. Davies will have his hands full.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
It is no secret that the Senegalese centre-back has a lot of experience, having 64 caps for his country. The 31-year-old centre-back, who moved to Chelsea from Napoli this season, is vital to Senegal's chances of success. Senegal's defence is under the leadership of Koulibaly. The African champions are likely to have a good chance of progressing from Group A which includes the Netherlands, host Qatar and Ecuador.
These defenders will definitely play a crucial role in the success of their team in the upcoming tournament.
