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The 2026 World Cup has come to an end after a month of unforgettable drama, heartbreaking exits, plenty of talking points, records, and controversies.
Argentina could not repeat their heroics of the 2022 World Cup final, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Spain, who won their first World Cup since 2010 after extra time in New Jersey.
FIFA has reportedly announced its team of the tournament, but many people have expressed some disappointment with the selections. Here is what we would change in our 2026 World Cup team of the tournament.
Formation – 4-3-3
Goalkeeper – Unai Simón (Spain)
Spain got their second World Cup star when they beat Argentina 1-0, and nobody was more important to their run than their defensive line, including Unai Simón. The goalkeeper kept seven clean sheets at the FIFA World Cup 2026 – the highest number of clean sheets by a goalkeeper at a single edition of the tournament.
Right fullback – Pedro Porro (Spain)
Pedro Porro was not a no-brainer for the team, but after his performances throughout the knockout stages, especially, he has proven that he is a well-deserved inclusion in the team. Being part of a defence that only let in one goal in the World Cup, before then going on to win the trophy, speaks volumes.
Centre back – William Saliba (France)
Despite losing the semi-final to eventual winners Spain, France had an unbelievable run in this year’s tournament, with William Saliba bringing absolute class to the French backline. He was the anchor for France as they cruised through the group phase with a perfect 9 points, providing the ultimate protection for when Les Bleus’ star-studded attack got caught out.
Centre back – Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
Another key member of the Spanish backline, Pau Cubarsí may only be 19 years old, but throughout the World Cup he showed class beyond his years. He was calm in possession and dominant in his defensive duties, even taking home the Young Player of the Tournament award following their final win.
Left fullback – Marc Cucurella (Spain)
There haven’t been too many left-backs that have stood out in this year’s World Cup, but once again, we are looking at Spain’s backline, with Cucurella getting the nod ahead of others in our Team of the Tournament. He was rock solid in the final against Argentina, and played the full 120 minutes at the same intensity he started at.
Centre midfield – Rodri (Spain)
Back to Spain. Rodri has been one of the best midfielders in the world for years, and after adding a World Cup to his collection, he joins only ten other players to win the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, and the World Cup. He came into his own in the knockout stages, especially against France, as Les Bleus couldn’t get the ball off him and his midfield partners. He even took home the World Cup Golden Ball for best player of the tournament.
Centre midfield – Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
This spot is not getting changed from our Team of the Group Stages. At just 18 years old, Bouaddi was one of the biggest breakout revelations of the 2026 World Cup. He completely ran the midfield in each game he played. His passing ability, spatial awareness, and composure have attracted interest from big clubs around the world.
Centre midfield – Jude Bellingham (England)
Bellingham was outstanding in this year’s tournament. The England midfielder drove his nation forward with seven goals, and without him, it is safe to say they would not have reached the semi-final. While being a brilliant player, he is also a very likeable player in terms of attitude and the way he carries himself, and he has proved himself to be one of the best midfielders in world football at this World Cup.
Left wing – Kylian Mbappe (France)
Mbappe was the highest scoring player at this World Cup…again. After an up-and-down season, he tracked right behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, but then kicked into an even higher gear and overtook the Argentinian to claim the honours. His 10 goals not only clinched his second Golden Boot, it helped him become the all-time highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 22 goals.
Right wing – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
It may not have been the fairytale ending for Lionel Messi, but once again, it was never in doubt that he would be in this team. From his opening game hat-trick against Algeria to bagging two assists to come from behind and beat England 2-1. He is the greatest player ever to grace a football pitch, and to still be able to do it at 39 years old is nothing short of sensational.
Striker – Erling Haaland (Norway)
There were a lot of strikers who have performed well in the World Cup, and there could be any number of them chosen in a best XI, but Erling Haaland met the massive pressure of his World Cup debut by scoring 4 goals across the group stage. He then decided to score a brace against Brazil and will his team over the line and through to the next round, where they eventually fell to England. A truly superb goalscorer, even on the world’s biggest stage.
