World Cup team of the tournament selections highlight star performances
Following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, various selections for the tournament’s best XI have emerged, showcasing standout players. While FIFA announced a ‘Dream XI’ based on fan voting, which included three players from champions Spain, three from France, and two from Argentina, along with England‘s Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland of Norway, and Cape Verde‘s Vozinha, sports writers also offered their own perspectives with specific criteria.
One common rule for these writer selections was a limit of two players per nation, which led to some unexpected inclusions. Despite Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon conceding only one goal across eight matches in their trophy-winning campaign, he was not a unanimous choice among writers. Similarly, the restriction meant that players like Julian Quinones and Youri Tielemans found their way into some of these curated teams.
Key Player Selections and Notable Absences
Several players were consistently highlighted across different selections. Rodri, the Golden Ball winner, was a foundational choice for many, noted for controlling Spain‘s title run and completing a tournament-record 790 passes. His positional discipline was seen as crucial for allowing players like Bellingham and Michael Olise to operate further up the field. Kylian Mbappe, who secured the Golden Boot with 10 goals, and Lionel Messi, often cited as a chief creator, were also frequently included in the attacking lineups.
In defense, Pau Cubarsi of Spain was a recurring pick, contributing to the tournament winners conceding only once in their eight matches. Other defensive mentions included Daniel Munoz of Colombia, recognized for his attacking runs, and England‘s Djed Spence, who gained a cult-hero status with memorable moments on the flank. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes were also noted for their pace and recovery speed, which enabled attacking players to move centrally.
Despite their strong performances, some prominent names did not make every ‘Team of the Tournament’. Harry Kane of England, for instance, was acknowledged as unfortunate to miss out, often due to the presence of other elite forwards like Mbappe, Haaland, and Messi in the attacking selections. Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper for Cape Verde, was frequently recognized for his heroic performances, including seven saves against Spain and eight against Argentina, pushing the latter into extra time.
Diverse Goalkeeper Choices and Defensive Strategies
Goalkeeper selections varied significantly among the writers. While Vozinha received many votes for his impactful displays, Egypt‘s Mostafa Shobeir was also considered a strong candidate by some. Switzerland‘s Gregor Kobel was highlighted for exceeding shot-stopping expectations, conceding four fewer goals than the quality of shots he faced, a statistic that surpassed other goalkeepers in the tournament.
The defensive pairings also showed diversity. Some writers opted for a strong central defense with players like Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, while others chose to include players like Diney from Cape Verde, who was outstanding in the group stage, particularly during the 0-0 draw with Spain. The emphasis on full-backs pushing forward meant that players like Munoz and Spence were valued for their contributions at both ends of the pitch.
The 2026 World Cup saw Kylian Mbappe score 10 goals and provide 4 assists, while Lionel Messi contributed 8 goals and 4 assists. Jude Bellingham recorded 7 goals and 1 assist, and Erling Haaland scored 7 goals. Michael Olise led in assists with 7. Spain, the tournament winners, achieved 7 clean sheets.
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Source: nytimes.com
