FIFA has announced the ideal XI of the 2026 World Cup, with Kylian Mbappé as the top scorer and Lionel Messi as the silver boot winner. The team includes two Spaniards, Cucurella and Porro, and world champion Rodri.
FIFA has made public the ideal XI of the 2026 World Cup, a dream team that brings together the standout players of the tournament. The selection, which does not include any players from the world champion Spain in its starting XI, does feature two Spaniards in defence: Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro, both with a 90% pass accuracy. Additionally, Rodri, awarded the World Cup Ballon d'Or as the best player, occupies a position in midfield.
The goalkeeping duties of the ideal XI are entrusted to Vozinha, the Cape Verde goalkeeper, who kept a clean sheet in two matches, one of which was against Spain itself. The keeper made 18 saves and accumulated 136 actions inside the area and 102 outside of it.
In the defensive line, alongside Cucurella and Porro, are Frenchman Dayot Upamecano and Argentine Lisandro Martínez. Upamecano completed 409 of his 433 passes (92% success), while Martínez achieved a 90% effectiveness with 422 completed passes out of 450.
The midfield is led by Jude Bellingham, who won the Bronze Boot after scoring seven goals and providing one assist. He is joined by Rodri, who with 747 completed passes and a 93% accuracy took home the Ballon d'Or. Completing the midfield is Frenchman Michael Olise, the tournament's assist leader with seven, in addition to five shots on target and an 87% pass accuracy.
The forward line of the ideal XI consists of Lionel Messi, who with eight goals and four assists claimed the Silver Boot; Erling Haaland, the Norwegian debutant in a World Cup who scored seven goals; and Kylian Mbappé, the tournament's top scorer with ten goals, who with a total of 22 goals in World Cups becomes the all-time leading scorer in the competition.
The FIFA selection, based on statistical data and individual performance, has sparked debate among fans, especially due to the absence of players from the Spanish national team in the starting XI. However, the presence of Cucurella, Porro, and Rodri, the latter as the best player of the tournament, represents a recognition of La Roja's role in the championship.
The ideal XI reflects the high competitive level of the 2026 World Cup, which crowned Spain as champions after winning the final. The data of the selected players, such as completed passes, assists, and goals, showcase the individual excellence that has characterised the World Cup event.
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