World Cup European combined XI: Karim Benzema leads the line
Karim Benzema leads the line, Kevin De Bruyne is the chief creator and Virgil van Dijk makes the cut despite his poor form for Liverpool… but does 700-goal man Cristiano Ronaldo feature in our combined European XI ahead of the World Cup?
- The controversial Qatar World Cup will kick off in just under six weeks’ time
- 13 European countries will take part in the tournament’s first ever winter edition
- Sportmail pick a combined XI of players from competing European nations
- 20 players make the squad overall, with a substitutes’ bench of nine included
- Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
The World Cup is fast approaching, with eyes starting to turn to Qatar – and the players who are hoping to get their hands on football’s holy grail.
In the 32-country competition, there are 13 teams from Europe: Holland, Wales, Poland, France, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, Switzerland, Portugal and, of course, England.
Sportsmail have looked at every nation to put together a combined XI from Europe, along with a substitutes’ bench, consisting of the best players set to feature in Qatar this winter.
So, who’s earned the spot between the sticks? What’s the central defensive pairing? How did we fit all the attacking talent in? And, perhaps most interestingly of all, who has missed out on a spot in this star-studded team?
France are looking to defend their World Cup crown in Qatar after coming out on top in Russia
European teams have dominated the World Cup recently, with Brazil the last side outside the continent to lift the trophy 20 years ago
GOALKEEPER: Thibaut Courtois, Belgium
After a sticky couple of years, the Belgian giant has shown himself to still be one of the best goalkeeprs in the world once again in recent times, particularly since Carlo Ancelotti returned to Real Madrid.
A player-of-the-match showing in his side’s Champions League final win over Liverpool last season – in which he made nine saves – helped Madrid back to the top of Europe’s pedestal, and the 30-year-old is now again in the conversation for the best around.
A magnificent shot stopper but also handy with his feet – as keepers must be in the modern game – Courtois makes our European XI. He’d have a chance of making a world XI, too.
Thibaut Courtois put in a stunning display in last year’s Champions League final in Paris
The Belgium No 1 is one of the last few players remaining from their golden generation
RIGHT-BACK: Reece James, England
Reece James is an interesting pick because he may not even start England’s opening game of the tournament against Iran on November 21, but, for us, he’s the standout player from Europe in our system.
As comfortable going backwards as he is forwards, the 22-year-old is arguably Chelsea’s most important player and one of the best in the world at either full-back or wing-back.
He’ll be competing with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and, possibly, Kyle Walker, for England’s right-wing-back spot, but no one will question Gareth Southgate if he plays every game.
His performance against AC Milan in the Champions League last week showed once again why he’s one of the most exciting players in world football.
Chelsea and England’s Reece James has become one of best full-backs around in recent years
CENTRE-BACK: Ruben Dias, Portugal
Ruben Dias transformed Manchester City’s defence when he joined the club for £61.2million in 2020, and he is regularly Pep Guardiola’s go to man at the back.
He is a mainstay in Portugal’s set up too, and, at 25 years old, still has plenty of time to grow despite already establishing himself as one of the best centre-halves on the planet.
Portugal have the potential to go on and lift the trophy this winter, and if they do they will have lifted the Nations League, Euros and World Cup in the last six years.
CENTRE-BACK: Virgil van Dijk, Holland
The Liverpool centre-half hasn’t been at his best this season and has received a fair amount of criticism for his club performances, and rightly so.
But as the saying goes, class is permanent and the Dutchman has been perhaps the most important of cogs in Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League and Champions League winning side, and probably should have won the Ballon D’Or back in 2019, when he came second to Lionel Messi.
The ACL injury he suffered two years ago hasn’t impacted his game too much and at 30 years old he still has so much to give.
Virgil van Dijk has been in poor form recently but is still one of the best defenders in the world
LEFT BACK: Joao Cancelo, Portugal
You know a player is talented when they’re getting in a combined XI in an unfavoured position (if you can even call it that).
Cancelo, naturally a right-back, has made the left-back spot his own in the best team in the world right now at Manchester City, and is such a key part of Pep Guardiola’s system that he’s hardly rested.
He’d combine well with James in this team because of their different styles, with Cancelo liking to come inside while James bombs on down the right. In a possession-based team, the Portugal star is probably the first defender you’d want on the team sheet.
Joe Cancelo (left) and Ruben Dias (right) have formed quite the partnership at club level with Manchester City and internationally with Portugal
Cancelo provides so much attacking threat from defence in sides that like to dominate the ball
CENTRE-MIDFIELD: Rodri, Spain
The third Manchester City player in the team is midfielder Rodri. It’s almost as if they’re quite good.
It’s hard to say City miss him if he doesn’t play because they’re so well stocked, but Spain definitely will if he picks up any more knocks that could damage his World Cup chances.
A complete central midfield player, he makes everything look easy and his physicality and calmness on the ball combine to make him one of the best midfield players in world football.
Midfielder Rodri has provided the glue for both Manchester City and Spain in recent years
CENTRE-MIDFIELD: Luke Modric, Croatia
The man that is still flying at 37 years old is nailed in our combined XI.
The only player that has stopped either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo winning the Ballon D’Or in the last 13 years, Modric may be close to retirement but he’s shown no signs of slowing down and helped Real Madrid to another Champions League last season.
A magician with the ball at his feet, he controls pretty much any game he plays, and would do in this team, too.
Luke Modric, of Real Madrid and Croatia, will go down as one of the best midfielders ever
ATTACKING-MIDFIELD: Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium
Oh, here’s a fourth Manchester City player – and arguably the best in the world right now.
As humble as he is talented, De Bruyne has lit up the Premier League this season, with the arrival of Erling Haaland at Manchester City only helping increase his output.
He sees balls no one else sees and is a cut above in terms of his passing range. He’ll be key if Belgium want to avoid underachieving again in Qatar.
Kevin De Bruyne has consistently proved himself to be one of the best players in world football
De Bruyne has clashed with Belgium manager Roberto Martinez (right) in the past, but will have to put his feelings to one side if they are to be successful this winter
ATTACKING-MIDFIELD: Kylian Mbappe, France
The attack was arguably the hardest section of this team to choose, but it was impossible to leave out France’s Mbappe.
It’s up for debate whether his new mega-contract at PSG has gone to his head – we’ve seen him throwing tantrums and arguing with team-mates several times already this season at club level – but when he gets his head down and plays football he’s an incredible watch.
His pace and acceleration are beyond belief and his goal record speaks for itself. He’ll be compared to Erling Haaland for years to come, but Norway aren’t at the World Cup, so that’s a debate for another time.
Despite reported issues off the field, Kylian Mbappe is one of the most lethal players on it
He was part of the France side that dominated the 2018 tournament when he was just 19
STRIKER: Harry Kane, England
It would have been wrong to leave out the Golden Boot winner from the last World Cup.
The England captain scored six goals in the 2018 tournament and will have his eye on more accolades in Qatar, both individually and with his England team.
The Three Lions have struggled in recent times with no win in six, but Kane is world class and anyone would back him to drag England out of their rut.
He’s taken them to a semi-final and final in their last two tournaments leading from the front, and will want to go one better this winter.
England captain Harry Kane has regularly shown himself to be one of the most lethal strikers
The forward won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup and will be eyeing up this year’s too
STRIKER: Karim Benzema, France
Benzema has taken his game to another level in the white of Real Madrid in recent times, scoring 15 goals on the way to last season’s Champions League victory and 27 league goals as he won the Pichichi trophy for the first time.
A born goalscorer and complete forward, he had to make the team.
Like England, France need to up their game from their recent performances, and Benzema may be the man the drag them out of their poor form.
Karim Benzema, arguably a lock for the 2022 Ballon d’Or, has taken his game to new levels
He has shone since returning to the France national set up after over five years without playing
SUBSTITUTES
Manuel Neuer, Germany
He pips Hugo Lloris to the back-up goalkeeper spot. A World Cup winner in his own right, he has been a great servant for Germany over the years, and will captain them in Qatar.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, England
Some would argue Alexander-Arnold is lucky to make the bench in this team – he might not even go to the World Cup with England.
But his talent is too good to ignore. If he irons out his defensive flaws – and there are many right now- he will live up to the generational full-back label he has often been given.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s talent can’t be ignored despite his run of poor form for Liverpool
Antonio Rudiger, Germany
After being frozen out by Frank Lampard at Chelsea, Rudiger rejuvenated his career under Thomas Tuchel and has been missed massively by the Blues this season.
He’s slotted into Real Madrid’s backline seamlessly, and will hope to help turn Germany’s poor fortunes around in Qatar.
Declan Rice, England
A man that just keeps getting better and better, and a potential future England captain. He narrowly misses out on a starting place to Rodri and Modric, but will be vital for England in Qatar.
Declan Rice is a leader on and off the field and is a key cog in Gareth Southgate’s England team
Joshua Kimmich, Germany
Having Joshua Kimmich in a team just makes everything function better. He’s versatile, a good pro and a very talented player, which will make him handy for both Germany and this fantasy side.
Bernardo Silva, Portugal
Bernardo reportedly wants out of Manchester City, and, if he’s to leave, he won’t be short of offers.
Another versatile midfielder, the 28-year-old is a wizard with the ball at his feet and can make something out of nothing, which will be key against lesser teams that may employ a low block against Portugal at the tournament.
Raheem Sterling, England
Sterling took it upon himself to move to Chelsea in the summer to ensure game time and the move has paid off.
He’s taken his fine performances from Manchester with him to London and is a lock in England’s World Cup starting team.
He was arguably the Three Lions’ player of the tournament when they made it to the Euro 2020 final, and he has 19 England goals to his name so far. You wouldn’t bet against him adding a few to that tally this winter.
Raheem Sterling, arguably England’s player of the tournament at Euro 2020, has been a consistent performer for several years now
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
It would be rude to leave Ronaldo out. He may be struggling for game time at Manchester United, but he netted his 700th career club goal on Sunday and that’s no mean feat.
Add that to his 117 goals for Portugal – an international record – and you’re looking at one of the best players ever to have graced the game.
At 37 years old he’s probably coming to the end of his career, and form means he only makes the bench in this team, but he’ll add a few more goals to his record yet and winning the World Cup would put the icing on a truly illustrious career.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won everything there is to win as a player – apart from a World Cup – and scored his 700th club goal on Sunday
Robert Lewandowski, Poland
The hardest player to leave out in this team by far, but we couldn’t have all three strikers.
The forward has shown no signs of slowing down in front of goal since his summer move to Barcelona, after establishing himself as one of the best forwards of this generation during his eight years with Bayern Munich.
He’d definitely get minutes in this team, and will pick up plenty in Qatar as he leads Poland in Group C.
Robert Lewandowski has carried on his fine Bayern Munich form in Spain with Barcelona and will lead Poland in Qatar
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