The World Cup 2026 is complete, and Spain are champions — so here is our Team of the World Cup 2026: a best XI drawn from the whole tournament, lined up in a 4-3-3. It leans on the champions but makes room for the tournament’s biggest forces. Here is the side, and the reasoning behind every pick. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
The Team of the World Cup 2026: our best XI
- GK: Unai Simon (Spain)
- DEF: Pedro Porro (Spain), Pau Cubarsi (Spain), Cristian Romero (Argentina), Marc Cucurella (Spain)
- MID: Rodri (Spain), Pedri (Spain), Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
- ATT: Lamine Yamal (Spain), Kylian Mbappe (France), Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Goalkeeper and defence
Unai Simon (Spain) takes the gloves — no goalkeeper had a better tournament, conceding just once in eight games as Spain won the title. In front of him, Pau Cubarsi anchored that record at 19, partnered by Argentina captain Cristian Romero, superb throughout the runners-up’s run. Pedro Porro takes the right-back berth after two goals, including the strike that beat France in the semi-final, while Marc Cucurella keeps the left-back spot after a tireless tournament.
Midfield
The engine room is built around Rodri, our player of the tournament. The metronome at the base of the champions’ midfield, he controlled the biggest games and was immense in the final. Alongside him, Pedri pulls the strings, with Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez completing the trio after the decisive knockout goals that dragged the beaten finalists all the way to the final.
Attack
The front three is loaded. Lamine Yamal, the teenager who lit up the tournament for the champions, starts wide. Through the middle, Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe (10 goals) and Lionel Messi (eight) — the two deadliest forces of the World Cup 2026.
Player and manager of the tournament
Our player of the tournament is Rodri: the heartbeat of a Spain side that conceded just one goal on its way to the title. Our manager of the tournament is Luis de la Fuente, who added the world crown to the Euro 2024 title, his side blending youth and control as convincingly as anyone.
Honourable mentions
Plenty pushed for a place. Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (five goals, including the semi-final penalty) and Alexis Mac Allister were unlucky to miss out, as was final matchwinner Ferran Torres. Of those who fell short, England’s Jude Bellingham (seven goals) and Norway’s Erling Haaland (seven) starred, while France’s Michael Olise led all players with seven assists.
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Our 4-3-3 best XI is: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Cristian Romero, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Enzo Fernandez; Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi.
Our player of the tournament is Rodri, the midfield anchor of champions Spain, who conceded just one goal all tournament.
Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals, ahead of Lionel Messi on eight and Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland on seven.
Champions Spain, who conceded just one goal in the entire tournament.