After more than a month of football across the United States, Mexico and Canada, the 2026 World Cup has finally reached its conclusion, with Spain defeating Argentina to become world champions for the second time.
This World Cup was about more than the usual superstars. Cape Verde reached the knockout rounds and suddenly goalkeeper Vozinha was watching his Instagram following explode when he held now World Champions Spain to a 0-0 draw, while Curaçao put a tiny Caribbean island on the map for millions who had never heard of it, although, judging by some of the reaction on social media, plenty now seem very keen to visit. It was a tournament full of unlikely heroes, surprise stories and countries enjoying moments they may never forget.
Now that the trophy has been lifted and the individual awards decided, Dan Smith has selected his ultimate World Cup Team of the Tournament.
Set up in a 4-3-3 formation, the XI includes one Arsenal defender, four members of Spain’s victorious squad and three of the competition’s outstanding goalscorers.
Defence
GK – Orlando Gill
Paraguay / San Lorenzo
This might be harsh on Unai Simón, who set a record by lifting the World Cup while conceding only one goal. Yet Spain’s seven clean sheets were more down to opponents being unable to get the ball off them than their goalkeeper having to be amazing.
Gill, on the other hand, produced the most saves at the tournament. His shutout against Turkey was one of the best individual goalkeeping performances of the competition, and he became a national hero for being the only man ever to get the better of Germany in a World Cup penalty shootout.
The 26-year-old might have received more recognition if not for some of his, and his teammates’, dark arts against France.
LB – Marc Cucurella
Spain / Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams carried injuries into the tournament and had to have their minutes managed, meaning La Roja were without their main attacking outlets from the Euros.
That put pressure on both full-backs to provide an alternative for Spain. Real Madrid’s new Galáctico responded by forcing an own goal and recording two assists. His second, against Austria, was a beautiful pass.
Running up and down the flank, no Spaniard covered more distance than the 27-year-old.
He was also one of only two outfield players to play every minute of this World Cup.
CB – Pau Cubarsí
Spain / Barcelona
For a teenager to lift the World Cup while playing every minute for a country that conceded only one goal, that achievement alone warrants the Young Player Award.
The 19-year-old completed the most passes of any defender at the tournament and more than any player in the final itself.
He actually spent more time in Argentina’s half on Sunday than he did in his own.
CB – William Saliba
France / Arsenal
Saliba gets the nod over the other contenders for playing through the pain barrier throughout the World Cup.
His reputation has been enhanced in his home country after it was revealed that the 25-year-old was taking medication simply to get through the tournament, until his back could not take any more punishment.
While the Gunners have not confirmed his injury status, it appears he may have gambled the opening months of the new season to play for Les Bleus.
Even when not 100 per cent fit, Saliba contributed to four clean sheets, with his recovery pace making up for the mistakes of others.
France did not concede a goal from open play in the knockout stages until the centre-back was forced off the pitch.
RB – Achraf Hakimi
Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain
The 27-year-old created 17 chances for the African champions in North America, the most by any defender. That included one goal and two assists.
No African player has made more World Cup appearances than the Moroccan captain.
With his country set to co-host the tournament in four years, Hakimi will undoubtedly be one of its poster boys.
Midfield and attack
CM – Rodri
Spain / Manchester City
I predicted Spain to become world champions before a ball was kicked because they possessed one quality that I thought would be crucial in the hot weather: their ability to keep the ball.
No player was more important in doing that than the Manchester City midfielder.
The Spanish captain broke his own previous record for the most passes completed at a World Cup.
He protected his back four throughout the tournament in several ways, whether by winning back possession, dominating aerial duels or starting attacks from defence.
The 30-year-old is the biggest reason his country conceded only once. Opponents could not hurt Spain because they could not get the ball off them.
CM – Michael Olise
France / Bayern Munich
Didier Deschamps made a tactical switch at half-time in France’s opening World Cup match, moving Olise from the left into the middle, and the 24-year-old never looked back.
No player in the history of the competition has registered more than his seven assists.
Five of them were for Kylian Mbappé, which is also a record. Both players are young enough for that relationship to improve further.
Go back and watch his vision and pass for France’s third goal against Sweden.
CM – Jude Bellingham
England / Real Madrid
No Englishman has scored more goals at a single World Cup than the midfielder’s seven, as he made a mockery of the debate six weeks earlier over whether he should even be starting for his country.
The 23-year-old may have cemented himself as the face of the Three Lions.
In terms of being an all-rounder, he may have been unrivalled during the past month.
He played in several positions, sometimes within the same match, carrying the ball forward and timing his runs into the penalty area before tracking back to produce last-ditch blocks.
England already knew he had quality, but he proved at this tournament that he also has the bottle for the biggest moments.
Forward – Lionel Messi
Argentina / Inter Miami
Some have spent the last few weeks trying to discredit him by suggesting FIFA had an agenda to get him to the final.
I hope you have all enjoyed watching this legend during the past month because you will never see anyone else quite like him again.
Nor are you likely to see the fascinating tactic of ten men being so in awe of their captain that they do his running for him, allowing him to concentrate solely on producing decisive moments.
With eight goals and four assists, Argentina’s skipper kept finding ways to drag his team over the line.
What has always separated Messi from his peers is his longevity. You can name legends of the sport whose peak lasted only a few years.
Messi’s has lasted for two decades.
What makes a 39-year-old who has lifted every trophy, is a billionaire and has nothing left to prove retain the desire to do what he has done over the past few weeks?
Forward – Kylian Mbappé
France / Real Madrid
One of the positives of this World Cup, and not every edition can say the same, was that many of the biggest names delivered.
Mbappé made a mockery of accusations about his attitude by leading his country with a smile on his face, scoring ten goals and providing four assists, sometimes under intense provocation from opponents.
The French captain is the first player to win two World Cup Golden Boots and leaves North America with the competition’s all-time goalscoring record.
At only 27, that record might not be broken for a very long time.
Forward – Erling Haaland
Norway / Manchester City
I gave the nod to the Norwegian over the other goalscorers because, with respect to his country, he plays with less quality around him and therefore receives fewer chances at international level.
That is supported by a chance-conversion rate of nearly 40 per cent, comfortably the best at this World Cup, after scoring seven goals from 18 shots.
He also appeared to win the hearts and minds of the American public with his personality.
The 25-year-old’s smile was that of a young man who could not quite believe how far his nation had come.
Dan Smith
Who would make your World Cup Team of the Tournament? Do you agree with Dan’s selections, and which Arsenal player impressed you most during the competition? Share your XI in the comments below.
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Pedro Porro over Hakimi. Dembele over Erling
Cubarsi and Saliba made an incredible amount of passes, but they were well protected by their teammates’ high press and interceptions. I think the CBs of the teams with less skilled players produced more successful tackles, steals, interceptions and duel won than the two Europeans
I’m also impressed with Olise’s productivity as a CAM. I believe Saka can also transition to the CAM or the right-sided AM role successfully as he gets older, like Messi and Dembele did
Messi was very productive for a 39-year-old forward, but he was tremendously helped by the runs and work rate of his teammates. I really disliked his lack of work ethic in the final game, which was very different to his effort in his prime
I’d prefer Yamal who didn’t produce as many goals and assists as Messi did, but his dribbles, take-ons, shots and passes helped his teammates a lot to open up the opposition’s defense. Spain wouldn’t have won the World Cup without the 19-year-old RW
Don’t know mate … 8 goals and 4 assists Vs 1 goal and 0 assists
Yamal was basically Spanish Madueke on this tournament. Light-weight, easily brushed off and when he got past his man, didn’t know whom to pass to or how to finish.
Think I know where Gotanidea is coming from this time. Statistically Messi produced a lot more than Yamal, but as seen in the final, Argentina often played with the equivalent of ten men and needed his team mates to do a lot of the hard running for him. Although he wasn’t at his best, it would be ridiculous to compare Yamal to Madouke. The 18 year old forced defenders to commit themselves and created spaces. I also like the fact he gives defenders as much back as they give him. He’ll get a red card one day but it sends a message. It seems that this year’s dirty play trend was stamping on feet. Every team was doing it although in the long term it will cause serious injuries and is a bad look for the game.
Concerning Messi, no argument about his quality or ability.
But yes. FIFA was doing everything to get him and Argentina to the final and possibly win it. Almost everyone who watched this tournament precisely say the same cos I’ve been online much to see reviews and commentaries from several quarters, even on JA. I know you’ve spent time in the past arguing that referees are not cheats, etc. But you forget one very important detail: they are human beings. Same way African countries were against Morocco during the last AFCON due to the blatant favouritism they received from referees throughout the tournament that angered Senegal so much that they walked away from the pitch (I didn’t quite support that action).
And Balogun’s red card overturned overnight without reason due to a president’s phone call? It seems the FIFA president can be influenced to cheat blatantly but referees are the standard of high morality, neutrality and anti corruption. I laugh in French
dgr i agree. Messi was classless in the final. As a captain and world classic figure he should have tamed the barbaric acts of his teammates during and post match. Even after the game he didn’t exhibit apologetic attitudes regarding the chaotic scenes. Why he wept I couldn’t understand tbh. Does he want to win the title with this immense gulf in performance and behaviour? Sometimes celebrities are too good to understand
didn’t Argentina get a red card in the final and why didn’t he send the Spanish player off for putting his hand to mourn
wouldn’t that have happened if there was a conspiracy
mouth
There was nothing confrontational in the exchange between Messi & Cucurella; they were just talking, and he briefly put two fingers to his mouth, but the little leech attempted to get him sent off. Good refereeing to ignore it.
no your missing my point mate
I agree he did nothing wrong
but the accusation if there is corruption to help Argentina to win right , that the reffs are in on it
so if the official went out with orders to help Argentina to win wouldn’t he have not shown them a red card and then sent Cucerella off
instead he did what I agree was good refereeing
so if he’s doing good refereeing…..there is no conspiracy?
OK! I get it now🙃 No conspiracy!
Sometimes you surprise me with your thinking seriously. You might be the only person in the world (along with the Argentinians of course) who did not see the conspiracy to push Argentina as further as possible.
OF COURSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT PLAIN OBVIOUS!
And it’s not the first time FIFA has tried to give their poster boy what he does not deserve. One of the great players in history yes but I am happy with his retirement (as well as Ronaldo). The sooner they retire completely from football the better.
They had their time and now most of us are fatigued by their over exposure.
It’s about time we return to have talents all over the world instead of having two players shoved into our throats relentlessly.
not really mate
it’s pretty logical
if I’m a reff and I’m secretly helping Argentina win a game ….I’m not going to show them a red card
it’s very obvious logic to follow
also Argentina got the most yellow cards so again if officials were biased to them ….would that happen
I remember when Blatter praised Messi while saying that Ronaldo spends more time at the barber’s shop. That’s supposed to be a FIFA president.
Clubs are being ducked points while City is still doing their stuff with a 130 charge case hanging on their necks since forever.
My point is simply that corruption exists and is a reality within football’s top brass. This isn’t to target any player but to point out that human beings govern football and there’s a clear element of bias in some of their decisions which is very unhealthy for the sport
of those yellows some could have been reds. Paredes only saw red after the game but he should have got 2 yellows in the game. Macallister too.
but your missing the point
if corruption is going on none would be yellows or reds would they
literally makes no sense
a reff is corrupt and helping Argentina but shows them a red card In the final ?
I would love to see that team play Dan, great defensively and lots of goals in attack.
Dan,
While I admire you’re admiration for Messi, I can’t share you’re opinion regards the thugs that he played with.
Just a side note, I’m amazed that Odegaard hasn’t made it into the team😂.
Failing to reproach his teammates is complicity. As a captain Messi had the power and should have prevented those chaotic happenings. It’s not dishonouring his quality and achievements. Just based on the actions of that final alone.
doesn’t change his 8 goals and 4assists
most captains would not publicly be critical of their teammates and would keep it it the dressing room
I’m afraid this is rather disingenuous. Messi is a great player and should be celebrated for his achievements. However, his attitude was unsatisfactory for a captain no matter how upset he may have been at the outcome of the match and the tournament.
He didn’t need to be publicly critical of his teammates. However, he could have attempted to get them to show more class and respect for their opponents at the end of the game.
Disagree , I saw him shake hands , hug and applaud the opposition
Then literally say congratulations to Spain
Messi can’t be responsible for what his peers do just because he’s captain , they are still grown adults responsible for thier own actions
Dan
You have defended Messi to the hilt and to suggest that he’s not responsible for the behaviour of his team mates is off the mark. So he shook hands. Did he demand from his team that they face their victors or let them face the other way like the bad losers they were? Even if they refused, he should have shown leadership in that moment and I’d fully respect him
We’ll have to disagree then. I would expect a captain to do more during such a situation. Any player can simply shake hands and applaud.
I haven’t stated that he has to be personally responsible for everyone’s behaviour. However, as a senior player and captain he could have done more to get his teammates to show respect.
yeah just wondering why you don’t say the same for Kane or Salah or Viera or Gerrard of Terry ,etc
This is just unnecessary whataboutism. If you have concerns about those that you have mentioned you can raise them and they can be discussed.
yeah but naturally you are going to wonder why Messi is being called out for turning his back on someone but not Egypt or Bellingham?
Messi is being called out for not demonstrating good leadership following a final of a World Cup. Several of his teammates demonstrated poor behaviour and he did nothing to defuse the situation or get his teammates to respect their opponents.
Salah clearly did try to get his teammates to behave despite what Egypt felt was a frustrating game with some dubious decisions.
but he didn’t condemn it or fans behavior and Kane didn’t do anything to stop Bellingham slapping a player over the head
nothing was mentioned about Paraguay or Germany captain not getting involved either
seems like a double standard to me ?
Of course, you consider it double standard as you don’t want anyone criticising Messi. So you are bringing up different events and issues, and ignoring things that don’t fit your agenda.
The discussion was about the players on-field behaviour. Messi did nothing in what was a World Cup final. Salah at least tried to defuse a situation, but because he didn’t turn on his own team and fans, according to you, it’s double standards to criticise Messi. No-one here has asked Messi to turn on his own fans or take to the media to criticise his team mates.
yeah they did mate
they judged Messi for not condemning the violence
hence why I said why had Kane not been asked to condone the violence of Bellingham?
can’t ignore one and preach about the other being wrong
all I saw at full time from Messi point of view is him standing on his hips , shaking hands with the opposition
it’s not his job as captain to be responsible for his teammates being stupid …they are grown men
just like we don’t blame Kane got Bellingham slapping someone
Yes David. We judge on what we saw not on stereotyping ‘halo effects’.
We judge on what we saw ?
Do you want me to send you proof of Messi shaking hands , hugging the opposition and saying well done Spain ?
And you don’t judge on what you see , your selective .
Show me where you condemned Egypt players , managers and fans ?
I have not heard Kane say Bellingham was wrong for slapping a player in the head at full time ?
You defended Senegal players for walking off the pitch
Viera never condemned his peers behaviour twice at Old Trafford
What’s the difference
The difference is the ones you mentioned have reacted to provocations in words or actions. Here no one provoked the Argentina players. They instead were instigators of the melee the chaos everything. Why Messi led his team to give their backs not to see Spain lifting the trophy? You need at least condemn this unsportsmanlike attitude.
probably because it was painful to watch ?
as long as Messi shook hands , embraced the winners and said well done that’s all that matters
can you show me where Salah condemned the Egypt staff and fans please ?
or can you show me where Gerrard said straight after the game Suarez was out of order for racial abuse or biting someone ?
Did Uraguay condemn him ?
Can you show me where Viera said Arsenal players were wrong for battle of Old Trafford ?
and sorry Bellingham slapping someone is worse then Messi turning his back on someone ……it’s a double standard and we know why
Why?
As for the others, I am sure they were discussed ad nauseum at the time. The Bellingham incident is another matter as it is part of the WC and you have written a piece about the WC and the behaviour of the Argentine team was bound to come up
no Sue
Bellingham and Egypt behavior at this World Cup was not brought up ?
Yes we know why. It’s Messi who won 8 Ballon d Ors not Salah. The world expects honourable, exemplary things from this special iconic next in line to Maradona player. Same expectation from others but more special with Messi. Football gave him everything every drop what more does he want unless he’s super ego
he shook hands and congratulated Spain
just because he won the Ballon Dor doesn’t mean he has to break up fights
They are grown men who can be responsible for his actions
you make it sound like he robbed a bank lol.
So just for the record
To prove my point your making things up
Are you saying Messi did not hug , shake hands or applaud any Spanish player ?
Like Kane , Salah , the Paraguay Captain , Viera , Jon Terry , Gerrard , etc
I wonder why though we are picking on Messi ……an agenda ?
just remember at full time In the Argentina game Bellingham was filmed slapping a player round the head which is worse then what Messi did and yet I don’t hear the same out cry
Messi as a captain has effectively guided his teammates to turn their backs when Spain lifted the trophy. Really really shameful cowardly act. After what Spain did to him in his career he rather should have been the only one facing toward the trophy presentation. Be gracious in defeat the ‘little’ Messi. Sour ending
As usual you made allot up there and left allot out to suit your own agenda
He had a great World Cup
Two finals in a row is amazing
My view entirely and I hadn’t read your post until I’d posted mine
Unai Simon is the undisputed best goalie of the tournament. Period! He frequently goes off his box to intercept dangerous passes and crosses. He perfects his timings. He did those scorable interceptions both in the semi and the final against Mbappe and Messi. He smells dangerous situations perfectly. Only conceded 1 goal. He’s vocal and guides the defence effectively. He is the best SWEEPER KEEPER.
Over the years i thought some of you here would’ve learnt that arguing with Dan Smith about anything is a total waste of time and energy.I believe if one of the World cup refrees should come up tomorrow and admit that they were asked to be more favourable towards Argentina and Messi,Dan will still find a way to brush it off because for him everything about officiating in football is perfect and some of the errors evens themselves out with time.
no mate
if a reff said that then we have evidence
all we have at moment is conspiracy theories
and your correct , over the years you can’t argue it because if something makes zero sense you will be in a pickle .
If you actually look , all I wrote was Messi should be in my team of the World Cup ( a view allot in football share ) and some have suggested maybe he shouldn’t because of Argentina behavior
I never once said their behavior was acceptable I simply pointed out that it’s only fair we have the same moral compass for Egypt, Bellingham, Germany , Paraguay, etc
As for the Messi conspiracy theory ….that’s my opinion
if there was an agenda certain things wouldn’t have happened
I also think sometimes it’s easy just to blame mate ……. Egypt lost to Argentina because whisper it quietly….they defended terrible
Matthew,
Appreciate yours. Good day bro!
The criticism of Messi is for doing nothing in what was a volatile situation following a World Cup final He simply watched from a distance when some of his teammates were demonstrating poor behaviour. Salah on the other hand got involved and tried to defuse the situation when a comparable situation occurred following their game against Argentina.
The behaviour of several Argentine players was worse than that displayed by the Egyptian players.
Some of us say that Messi did not demonstrate good leadership.
However, we now have the situation where a claim of double standards is being made. Is this double standards or are some people trying to gaslight others?
David, 💯% 👏👏👍
Herr Drier,
200%. One each for you and David!!
Its double standards lol
Pau Cubarsí was my revelation of the tournament. I don’t get the chance to watch Barcelona except when we play them, so while I knew he was highly rated, I was extremely impressed with his performances in the WC. Brilliant player. Incredible that he’s only 19.