To captain your national side at a World Cup is the greatest honour available to a footballer, but one with its challenges.
While the world scrutinises your every move you must be diplomatic, in control, and above everything else you have to perform.
It's where knighthoods are earned, statues are built, and BBC Sports Personality of the year awards are won and lost.
Thirty-two players think they're up for it this time around, and of course, they must be ranked. We've looked at leadership, legacy, and sometimes even their skill with a football.
Here they are, in all their armband-wearing glory.
32. No captain (Brazil)
After Neymar renounced the captaincy in 2016, manager Tite decided not to...