Number 10 has different connotations in different walks of life. While in the police annals, number 10 is assigned to the “notorious” elements of the society (it is why in Indian parlance they are called “Dus Numbriye”), in sports, number 10 is generally granted to those who are outstanding or chosen ones. 

In the ongoing FIFA World Cup, players supporting shirt or jersey no 10 have been cynosure of all eyes as in soccer the number 10 shirt, traditionally associated with attacking responsibility, talent, creativity, and the ability to lead the team on the field. So each of 48 participating teams has a “Dus Numbriya” or a player with shirt number 10.

Also Read: Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina reaches Round of 32

And Sarpreet Singh of New Zealand, only player of the Indian descent playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup wears jersey or shirt number 10 to be counted towards “Dus Numbriye” of the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

And the most outstanding “Dus Numbriya” of the 2026 World Cup is none other than Lionel Messi, the captain of the defending champions Argentina, who has embarked upon a mission to erase all old marks and set new standards for the future generations to follow. He has already become the top scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup with 18 goals to his credit.

He has a hat-trick to his name when he scored all three goals against Algeria in the first match of this World Cup. He followed it up by scoring both the goals against Austria to carry his team through to the round of 32. It is one of rare achievements that all five goals for a winning team in two matches were scored by the same player. 

“Dus Numbriyas” are normally familiar names but there are newcomers too, who are either being discovered or have started showing their talent to hold the limelight.Many familiar names, others yet to be discovered.  Among established stars, young talents, and local leaders, several of the tournament’s biggest names are wearing this number during the competition. 

They are:

Kylian Mbappé of France who is from Real Madrid is a French forward who can play a role in helping his team to lift the World Cup. France has already qualified along with Mexico, USA, Germany, Argentina and Norway for the round of 32.

Mbappe has already played in a World Cup final and will also be chasing the record to become the highest scorer in World Cup history. That mark that earlier belonged to Miroslav Klose (16), and “Kiki”  has already been taken over by Lionel Messi with 18 goals to his credit. Mbappe (27)  had 13 at the start of the tournament this year. 

A lot has been said about Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina, who has an unsatiated appetite for records. He is already the FIFA World Cup top scorer. He is in the Americas to defend the crown won in Qatar 2022. Owner of a historic career and remarkable longevity, he is playing  his final World Cup by breaking and creating new records that will be difficult to break.

Jamal Musiala of Germany, the Bayern attacking midfielder has established himself as the main hope of Germany’s new generation. He stands out for his creativity, one-on-one ability, and capacity to break opposition lines. At just 23 years old, he is one of the most important pieces in Germany’s dream of competing for the title again after the setbacks in Russia and Qatar. 

Dani Olmo of Spain Is a man who is expected to make the difference. His intelligence in finding space, combined with his technical quality, makes him a decisive player in attack. 

Bernardo Silva is playing yet another World Cup as one of Portugal’s leaders after years of starring in Europe’s elite. He comes with the experience needed to take on the team’s leadership, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Another “Dus Numbriya” on watch is Neymar Jr. remains Brazil’s most feared player. He is aiming to play what would be his final World Cup  wearing the yellow shirt, under Ancelotti, with the major objective of winning the only title still missing from his successful career. 

For the three co-hosts, Alexis Vega – Mexico, Christian Pulisic of the USA, and Jonathan David of Canada – are the star “Dus Numbriyas” tasked with leading the hopes. Jonathan David has already accomplished a feat with a hat-trick of goals against Qatar to steer the home team to its first ever World Cup win.

It is time for Christian Pulisic and Alexis Vega to continue their good work in the round of 32 and beyond to put their teams to the next level or the podium finish. 

The 48 players who wear the number 10 shirt at the World Cup are: 

Group A

• Jaesung Lee- South Korea
• Alexis Vega- Mexico
• Patrik Schick- Czech Republic
• Relebohile Mofokeng- South Africa

Group B

• Jonathan David- Canada
• Ermedin Demirovic- Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Hassan Alhaydos- Qatar
• Granit Xhaka- Switzerland

Group C

• Neymar Jr.- Brazil
• Che Adams- Scotland
• Jean-Ricner Bellegarde- Haiti
• Brahim Díaz- Morocco

Group D

• Christian Pulisic- United States
• Ajdin Hrustic- Australia
• Miguel Almirón- Paraguay
• Hakan Calhanoglu- Turkey

Group E

• Jamal Musiala- Germany
• Simon Adingra- Ivory Coast
• Leandro Bacuna- Curaçao
• Kendry Páez- Ecuador

Group F

• Memphis Depay- Netherlands
• Ritsu Doan- Japan
• Benjamin Nygren- Sweden
• Hannibal Mejbri- Tunisia

Group G

• Leandro Trossard- Belgium
• Mohamed Salah- Egypt
• Mehdi Ghayedi- Iran
• Sarpreet Singh- New Zealand

Group H

• Dani Olmo - Spain
• Giorgian De Arrascaeta- Uruguay
• Salem Aldawsari- Saudi Arabia
• Jamiro Monteiro- Cape Verde

Group I

• ·Kylian Mbappe- France
• ·Ali Mohanad- Iraq
• ·Martin Odegaard- Norway
• ·Sadio Mané- Senegal

Group J

• ·Lionel Messi- Argentina
• ·Farès Chaïbi- Algeria
• ·Florian Grilltsch- Austria
• ·Mousa Altamari- Jordan

Group K

• Bernardo Silva- Portugal
• James Rodríguez- Colombia
• Theo Bongonda- DR Congo
• Jaloliddin Masharipov- Uzbekistan

Group L

• ·Jude Bellingham- England
• ·Luka Modrić- Croatia
• ·Brandon Thomas- Ghana
• ·Ismael Díaz- Panama

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