FIFA World Cup 2014: Debutants XI

The World Cup starts in just one day as Brazil kick off the festival of football on home turf against Croatia. The competition brings together most of the world’s top stars where they fight to become champions of the world and lift the famous, golden trophy.

Spain were victorious last time around to lift their first World Cup. Many players this year will be making their first appearance in the competition, especially Spain striker Diego Costa, who could drag his country to another historic summer.

There are plenty of players making their first appearance at a World this summer such as, Eden Hazard, Laurent Koscielny, Karim Benzema, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson.

That got us thinking here at Squawka about the best possible XI from debutants, and here it is.

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Courtois had another fantastic season in Spain with Atletico Madrid. What looks likely to be his last season in La Liga, at least for the short-term, saw him win the title with Atletico – their first one since 1996.

He also helped them reach the Champions League final where they were one minute away from winning the trophy as Sergio Ramos equalised dramatically late in injury time. Real then went on to score three more in extra time to lift their 10th European Cup.

Courtois kept 20 clean sheets in 37 appearances and was a huge part of a solid defence that took Atleti to the Liga title.