As the world gears up for 2026 FIFA World Cup mania, we have taken a humorous look at what a Formula One worldwide football team would look like.
If we accurately reflected the qualified nations and the fact that 19 F1 drivers across 11 different nationalities would be eligible, even counting Monaco’s Charles Leclerc as French in footballing purposes.
I therefore have had a go at creating a worldwide F1 footballing XI reflective of the actual tournament being held across Mexico, Canada and USA, and here are the results after much deliberation, with explanations following below.
Goalkeeper
If looking for a solid reliable driver in goal then look no further than England’s Lewis Hamilton because whilst his peak years are behind him, he is still a dependable star with enough vocalism to push the team forward in a captain style role in between the sticks.
At 41 years-old, Hamilton also still have the reflexes and talent to make a valuable contribution so sticking him in goal feels right given his excellent defensive positioning tactics, yet still has that natural attacking instinct which could spark attacks from the back.
Defence
Like in the Euro 2020 XI, Spain’s Carlos Sainz would again suit the right-back position given his experience and adaptability amassed over the years.
I however have changed formation primarily to add England’s George Russell and Oliver Bearman into the central defence, purely because they have the height needed to add aerial quality to the back line but still able to create attacks from defensive positions.
Representing tournament co-host – Mexico, Sergio Perez would be my left-back pick because he is a well-known defensive specialist on the track, so you would expect him to be equally difficult on the left flank for oppositional right-sided players, especially if look at some of his drives at Red Bull as a no.2 driver.
Perez also knows how to protect his rear tyres which when translated in World Cup terms would probably make him ideal for the heat and humidity of the tournament, especially in terms of fitness management.
Midfield
Every midfield need a solid consistent spinal and on current form, France’s Pierre Gasly fits that bill perfectly given his consistency and ability to outperform expectations in a non frontrunning car, meaning that he would fit well in a central defensive midfield role.
I would then put Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen – representing France and Netherlands – in central attacking midfield positions, because they are both attack-minded and could form a strong link between defence and attack given their connection to Gasly from his French and Red Bull roots.
Forward
If want a calculative right-winger who has creativity and aggression then England’s Lando Norris is the ideal man, given that he isn’t afraid to be aggressive in the cornering before making an pivot, which would make him a solid inverted winger who has the flexibility in corner and cutbacks into box.
Australia’s Oscar Piastri meanwhile fits the central forward role because whilst he is creative and aggressive, he has a calculative and ruthless side to his attacking play which fits that position, yet he still is a valuable team player who could fill a deep role if tactically required.
Monaco’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco bilaterally considered part of France in footballing world) would fit the left-wing role because of his natural grip instinct and oversteer cutting motions, which would make him a tricky customer for any oppositional fullback.
Manager
If want a manager who knows how to deal with youth and experience to create a winning team then look no longer than US-born McLaren CEO, Zak Brown because we have seen him deal with experienced drivers like Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo and youth of Norris and Piastri.
Brown therefore would be the ideal manager to handle the above players because he has the ability to manage the team equally without clear favouritism, as saw by how he dealt with Norris and Piastri’s title battle last season even if it nearly cost them against a resurgent Verstappen.
I could also imagine him keeping Verstappen and Hadjar in check given that they both can have their hot-headed moments, although there is no doubting how far Hadjar has matured since he graduated to F1, but Brown would be the ideal senior F1 figure to tame them within a footballing world.
Brown also brings the experience of having slowly and steadily built a winning team at McLaren from a low point in their modern history, which would suit this blend of youth and experience.