At the first World Cup in 1930, foreign-born players were a rarity with only eight of roughly 220 players, just over 3%, made up of six Scottish-born members of the United States squad and one Spanish-born player each for Argentina and Uruguay. At this World Cup, almost entire squads are built from foreign-born talent: Curaçao have 25 in their 26-man squad while the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Morocco named 20 and 19, respectively, in their 26-man squads.

What was an anomaly in 1930 is now an integral part of how national teams are assembled.

The Common Sense has put together an XI of the best foreign-born players who are playing this edition of the World Cup.

The XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco, born Montreal, Canada)

Developed through Spanish academy football after leaving Canada as a toddler, Bounou won the Europa League with Sevilla and was named the competition's best goalkeeper, built on elite shot-stopping and composed distribution under pressure. For Morocco he was the foundation of the run to the 2022 semi-final, particularly in high pressure knockout moments where his penalty-saving ability became a defining weapon. Bounou’s presence provides the security from the back that allows the side to go forwards with confidence.

Right-back: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, born Madrid, Spain)

The best right-back in the world regardless of the nationality question. A Real Madrid academy product who chose his parents' country over the nation that raised him, Hakimi combines top-level sprint speed with end product few full backs in history have matched. For Morocco he is both the primary attacking outlet down the right and the emotional focal point of the squad.

Centre-back: Marc Guéhi (England, born Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire)

Raised in south London after leaving Côte d'Ivoire as an infant, Guéhi reads the game with intelligence. For England he supplies the calm authority and clean passing out from the back to control games rather than just survive them.

Centre-back: Aymeric Laporte (Spain, born Agen, France)

A French academy graduate who switched allegiance to Spain in 2018 through residency qualification, Laporte brings six Premier League titles and a Champions League with Manchester City, built on elite one-v-one defending and a line-breaking left foot. For Spain he offers the physical dominance in the air and in duels the domestic pool is thinner on.

Left-back: Alphonso Davies (Canada, born Buduburam refugee camp, Ghana)

Perhaps the most remarkable story in the XI. Born to Liberian refugee parents in a Ghanaian camp before moving to Canada as a five-year-old, Davies was converted by Bayern Munich from a winger into a genuine attacking outlet from the left-back position, with sprint speed that causes a genuine headache for Bundesliga wingers and right-backs alike. For Canada he is the difference between a competitive nation and a dangerous one, their entire attacking structure built around getting him the ball in space.

Defensive midfielder: Amadou Onana (Belgium, born Dakar, Senegal)

Born in Senegal and raised in Belgium from early childhood, Onana’s ball-winning ability is among the Premier League's best. For Belgium he does the unglamorous defensive work that lets more gifted attackers play with freedom in front of him.

Central midfielder: Scott McTominay (Scotland, born Lancaster, England)

Born in Lancaster and qualifying for Scotland through his father, the 2024/25 Serie A Player of the Year has the ability to arrive late into the penalty area with purpose and is a physical presence that the opposition can’t ignore. For Scotland he supplies the engine to cover ground for 90 minutes and the goal threat against elite teams that the side badly needs.

Attacking midfielder: Brahim Díaz (Morocco, born Málaga, Spain)

A Real Madrid academy graduate who chose Morocco over Spain in 2023, Díaz can receive the ball in tight spaces between opposition lines and turn defence into attack in a single touch. For Morocco he gives a side built on defensive solidity a genuine line-breaking passer capable of unlocking a low block.

Right winger: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, born Sarcelles, France)

Raised in the Paris suburbs and capped by Algeria since 2014, Mahrez plagued Premier League defenders for almost a decade with his ability to beat any fullback one-on-one. For Algeria he carries the captain's armband and acts as the talisman who can manufacture a moment of magic alone.

Left winger: Michael Olise (France, born Hammersmith, England)

Learning his trade at Crystal Palace's academy before choosing France over the country that developed him, Olise is genuinely two-footed and has thrived since his move to Bayern Munich. For France he is the primary creative outlet, unlocking Mbappé, Dembélé and co while still posing a goal-scoring threat himself.

Striker: Erling Haaland (Norway, born Leeds, England)

A seemingly inevitable force up top, Haaland was born in Leeds while his father played for the club and qualifies for Norway through his parents. The Manchester City number nine has broken Premier League records with a goal-scoring record in England that has no real historical precedent, guiding the blue side of Manchester to their first Champions League triumph. For Norway he is not just the best player but the reason the team is taken seriously as a genuine outside contender.