The 2022 World Cup is in full swing. Football zone, in collaboration with PUMA, is compiling a Fearless Elftal of the stars who currently shine in Qatar. Memphis Depay and Neymar are the eye-catchers of the team, while Ajax player Mohammed Kudus has also earned a deserved place. The PUMA Fearless Squad plays very offensively in a 3-4-3 formation full of creatives.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
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Jordan Pickford had to fight for his place, but is also England’s first goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup. He has been Everton’s undisputed number one for years and keeps Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale on the bench at The Three Lions. Pickford is known as a very reliable closing post, which can rarely be caught in a mistake. The goalkeeper is looking for the footballing solution, but also does not shy away from the long ball forward, making the PUMA ULTRA a perfect match for the Briton.
Centre-back: Kyle Walker
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Kyle Walker is a highly regarded member of the England national team. That is not for nothing, because Walker has been playing at the top level for years. Hardly anyone in the world championship is faster than Walker and the Englishman wears the PUMA ULTRA. Like Ederson, he is active at Manchester City and at the World Cup. England showed in particular in the match against Iran (6-2) that they can compete for the world title, but against the United States (0-0) it went less. With the big win over Wales (0-3), England still convincingly qualified for the last sixteen.
Centre-back: Harry Maguire
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Although Harry Maguire is not always assured of a basic place with coach Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, he is one of the most important pawns in the team with the English national team. National coach Gareth Southgate relies on Maguire in his defense, who knows how to excel at major country tournaments. Southgate not only expects Maguire to stop his opponents, but also counts on Maguire’s attacking contribution, who also wears the Puma ULTRA. In 2021 he almost became European champion, will it be possible to win an international trophy in 2022?
Centre-back: Raphael Varane
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Someone who wants to stand in the way of English success is Raphaël Varane. Maguire’s teammate at Manchester United is looking for the second world title in four years with France. It was still questionable whether Varane would make it to the World Cup in Qatar, but luckily he recovered in time from his hamstring injury. Varane is known as one of the faster centre-backs, who is not afraid of space in his back. The PUMA ULTRA therefore fits the defender like a glove. France has already qualified for the next round and is a major contender for the world title.
Mohammed Kudus
Right half: Mohammed Kudus
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One of the stars at the World Cup so far is Mohammed Kudus. The star of Ghana already showed himself with a wonderful assist against Portugal, although that match was still lost 3-2. Kudus then helped his country with two goals against South Korea (2-3 win) to the much-needed three-pointer. The Ajax midfielder shines with the PUMA ULTRA, the shoe that enables him to link his strength to countless creative impulses.
Central midfielder: Axel Witsel
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The Belgian midfielder has been a mainstay of the Red Devils for years and is also a regular customer during the World Cup in Qatar. Witsel has to play with Belgium in the last group game against Croatia to qualify for the knockout phase. The midfielder is not only the lock on the door, but must also inspire Belgium in the build-up. The PUMA ULTRA helps him with that. The now 33-year-old is also a mainstay in Diego Simeone’s team at his club Atlético Madrid.
Central midfielder: Granit Xhaka
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Witsel’s companion listens to the name Granit Xhaka, one of the most dynamic midfielders in top football, who stands his ground both defensively and offensively. Xhaka wears the PUMA FUTURE. The midfielder is leader of the Premier League with his Arsenal team and hopes to make history with the Gunners. For now, his focus will be on the Swiss national team, with which he is present at the World Cup and still has a good chance of reaching the next round.
Neymar
Left half: Neymar
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As a creative midfielder from the left, Neymar is the pivot of the Fearless Elftal: Neymar. The Brazilian has unparalleled technique and an incredible variety of skills, which he performs effortlessly with the PUMA FUTURE. With Paris Saint-Germain he seems to be a major contender for the Champions League, but Neymar also seems to have a favorite role for the world title with his Brazil. Neymar is currently working on his recovery from a swollen ankle sustained in the opening game against Serbia (2-0 win).
Right winger: Kingsley Coman
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Kingsley Coman is posted on the right winger spot in this PUMA team. The striker is a valued force at Bayern Munich and has made a habit of winning the league title. The highlight so far has been his winning goal in the Champions League final against his former club Paris Saint-Germain. Coman frightens many a defender with his individual action and speed and therefore chose PUMA ULTRA. Is there also a World Cup in the offing?
Kingsley Coman
Striker: Memphis Depay
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Louis van Gaal said it already: “If we want to become world champions, Memphis must play.” Everything the striker does on the field is all about creativity and attacking football. Memphis could not ignore the PUMA ULTRA. He managed to hit no fewer than 42 goals for the Dutch team so far and is on his way to becoming the record top scorer. For the Dutch national team, the faster the better. Can Memphis, just recovered from a lingering injury, take his team in tow?
Left winger: Antoine Griezmann
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On the left side of the field is Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman does not have to stay on the sidelines, but has a free role in which he can express all his creativity thanks to the PUMA ULTRA. Griezmann has been at the top for years and is one of the star players at Atlético Madrid. In the national team, he was one of the most important players of France that won the 2018 World Cup. He hopes to repeat that trick during the World Cup in Qatar.
Memphis Depay
Reserve players:
The PUMA Fearless Elftal also has a lot of quality on the reserve bench. Should anything happen to Pickford, Brazilian Ederson (PUMA ULTRA) will effortlessly replace the goalkeeper. In defense, the multifunctional French Jules Koundé (PUMA FUTURE) can be brought in as a center back or as a full back. Arthur Theate (PUMA FUTURE) is a less well-known name, but the Belgian already showed at Stade Rennes that he is a reliable player. If the team wants to force something, Germany’s Jonas Hoffman (PUMA FUTURE) can play almost anywhere up front. Even more creativity can be brought to bear in the person of Luis Suárez (PUMA FUTURE), as Uruguay heads to its final World Cup.
This article was created in collaboration with PUMA.