Full Starting XI Table
| Position | Player | Nation | Why He Starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Yassine Bounou | Morocco | Elite tournament goalkeeper, penalty authority, calm under pressure |
| RB | Achraf Hakimi | Morocco | World-class two-way full-back, speed, crossing, recovery defending |
| CB | Kalidou Koulibaly | Senegal | Leadership, aerial strength, physical defensive command |
| CB | Nayef Aguerd | Morocco | Left-footed balance, buildup quality, positional discipline |
| LB | Ferdi Kadıoğlu | Türkiye | Modern full-back profile, technical security, tactical flexibility |
| DM | Sofyan Amrabat | Morocco | Midfield shield, duel-winning, transition control |
| CM | Hakan Çalhanoğlu | Türkiye | Tempo control, passing range, set-piece danger |
| AM | Ismaël Bennacer | Algeria | Ball carrying, midfield connection, press resistance |
| RW | Hakim Ziyech | Morocco | Left-footed creativity, crossing, final-third imagination |
| LW | Sadio Mané | Senegal | Big-match threat, pressing, direct running, goal instinct |
| ST | Mehdi Taremi | Iran | Complete striker profile, link play, pressing and finishing |
Tactical Bench
The bench begins with Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco, who gives the team a different striker profile with elite aerial threat and penalty-box presence. Mostafa Mohamed of Egypt offers physicality and late-game directness, especially when the match becomes a crossing contest. Riyad Mahrez of Algeria remains a luxury creative option from the right, particularly if the XI needs slower possession and left-footed control. Kerem Aktürkoğlu of Türkiye brings running power and vertical wing threat. Aïssa Mandi of Algeria gives central defensive cover, while Mohamed El Shenawy of Egypt provides experienced goalkeeping depth.
This bench matters because the starting XI is built for balance, but tournaments are not won by balance alone. Some games need chaos. Some need height. Some need set-piece specialists. Some need experienced closers. This squad has those tools.
