In this bonus 2022 World Cup-themed content, Laura O’Leary, Daniel Jones, Tommy Pitman, and Jon Squires create what they believe is the best possible XI from the players left at home during the Qatar World Cup.

Rules:

  • The Player’s nation must be at the World Cup 2022
  • Retired players are ineligible
  • Players who were named in their nation’s 25-man squad and then pulled out due to injury are ineligible
  • If a player was injured prior to squad announcements – they can be picked.

Think you can do better? Tweet us @buzzedfootball

Jon Squires’ Team

GK – David De Gea (Spain)

DEF – Luca Digne (France)
DEF – Sven Botman (Netherlands)
DEF – Fikayo Tomori (England)
DEF – Sergio Ramos (Spain)

MID – Thiago (Spain)
MID – Joelinton (Brazil)
MID – Joao Moutinho (Portugal)
MID – Arnaut Danjuma (Netherlands)

FWD – Bobby Firmino (Brazil)
FWD – Ivan Toney (England)

Daniel Jones’ Team

GK: De Gea (Spain)
LB: Ferland Mendy (France)
CB: Botman (Netherlands)
CB: Gabriel Magalhães Brazil
Cheating for another: Tomori (England)
CM: Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands)
CM: Thiago (Spain)
CAM: Joelinton (Brazil)
FWD: Toney (England)
FWD: Brian Brobbey (Netherlands)
FWD: Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina)

Laura O’Leary’s Team

GK: Bernd Leno (Germany)
LB: Digne (France)
CB: Botman (Netherlands)
CB: Gabriel (Brazil)
RB: Reece James (England)

LM: Pedo Neto (Portugal)
CM: Thiago (Spain)
CM: Paul Pogba (France)
RM: Diogo Jota (Portugual)
FWD: Ricardo Pepi (USA)
FWD: Timo Werner (Germany)

Tommy Pitman’s Team

GK – De Gea (Spain)

DEF – James (England)
DEF – Botman (Netherlands)
DEF – Gabriel (Brazil)
DEF – Ben Chilwell (England)

MID – Thiago (Spain)
MID – Pogba (France)
MID – N’Golo Kante (France)

FWD – Danjuma (Netherlands)
FWD – Gerard Moreno (Spain)

FWD- Jota (Portugual)