Joe Bell #6

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In a squad with star names at both ends of the pitch, Bell is more than content with a role in the shadows, as he told Fifa.com. “I don’t like to be in the spotlight, so I think it’s quite nice to sit there between those who score and those who save goals and it’s an important role in the team. Obviously, playing in the centre of the pitch, there’s a lot of responsibility to be good both in attack and in defence, but especially with the ball. That’s what I enjoy the most about the game, having the ball at my feet.” Bell relaxed at home in Wānaka in Central Otago over the summer having helped his Norwegian club side Viking end a 34-year league title drought which saw fans, including a cabinet minister, invade the pitch. It got his club into Champions League qualifying as well so he could be “ticking some of the two biggest boxes you can tick” in 2026. Rated by his club for being good in individual duels and confident on the ball, Bell is aiming for a starting place come World Cup time but says “supporting and helping the team” is most important – a sensible attitude from a man whose middle name is Zen.

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