​OneFootball has revealed its selection for the FIFA World Cup quarter-final Best XI, and the lineup underscores a strong French presence while also highlighting notable performances from Spain and England. The chosen lineup places a celebrated Morocco goalkeeper at the back, with Yassine Bounou earning the starting role between the posts. Shielding him in defense are four players who impressed observers with their consistency and critical contributions throughout the tournament: Matt O’Riley, Pau Cubarsí, Dayot Upamecano, and Pedro Porro. This back line blends a mix of youth and experience, domestic league familiarity, and international exposure, aiming to balance reliability with attacking instincts from the full-backs.
In midfield and attack, the selection leans into a dynamic array of creativity, collective work rate, and goal threat. Manu Koné is chosen to anchor the central midfield, providing solidity in possession and a disruptive presence without sacrificing the ability to link play to the more attacking figures ahead. Beside him, Alexis Mac Allister brings technical quality, vision, and the knack for controlling tempo, while Jude Bellingham contributes his renowned pressing, energy, and versatility in midfield duties. Dan Ndoye appears in a role that leverages his pace and dribbling ability, adding an alternative on the flank or inside the midfield spectrum as needed to unlock spaces.
On the wings and through the attacking line, the XI features Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé on the flanks or in wide positions, with Mbappé’s pace and finishing prowess providing the primary threat in transition and goal creation. In central attacking duties, the squad includes Manu Koné or Ndoye in adaptable positions that allow interchangeable roles between playmaking and direct attacking runs. The inclusion of such talents signals an emphasis on pace, directness, and the capacity to break lines with incisive runs, combined with the creative spark that these players regularly deliver for their teams.
This Best XI composition clearly signals France’s overall dominance in the quarter-finals, while not surrendering to the notion that other nations, notably Spain and England, did not leave a mark worth noting. The names chosen reflect a balance between established stars and emerging talents who delivered standout performances that justified their selection in this team of the tournament’s last eight. The result is a lineup that aims to maximize attacking intent and fluidity in possession while maintaining defensive organization at crucial moments.
What do you think about this Best XI? Your perspective matters, so feel free to share your thoughts and reasons in the comments below. Please note that this article was translated into English by artificial intelligence, and you can read the original version in German here for reference.