The country’s soccer stars are taller than theircompatriots— but will it bring success in the World Cup? When the 32 qualifying teams competing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup take to the pitch in Russia on June 14, they will showcase the best of the world’s soccer talent — highlighted by the diversity of the players that compose those teams. More than ever, athletes are quantified by metrics — height, weight, 40-yard-dash speed.