World Cup 2026 Best XI: Messi, Rodri, Mbappe Lead the Lineup

The 2026 World Cup concluded with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey, securing their second global title. Spain's victory was well-earned, considering Argentina's cautious approach and Spain's strong defensive setup under Luis de la Fuente.

Despite off-field controversies, including referee removals due to U.S. immigration policies and Iran’s initial logistical issues, the tournament delivered memorable moments on the pitch across 48 teams. Here is Sports Mole’s selection for the standout XI players of the competition.

Goalkeeper - Unai Simon

Simon’s seven clean sheets and Golden Glove award reflect his importance to Spain’s defense, though his impressive performances were supported by a solid team structure. He made only 10 saves in eight matches but remained alert, notably blocking a key Messi attempt in the final. His consistency helped Spain break the longest clean sheet streak in World Cup history.

Right-back - Achraf Hakimi

Morocco’s Hakimi was relentless down the right flank, combining speed and endurance with sharp attacking threat. He completed more dribbles than any defender in the tournament, created 17 chances, and contributed two assists. His ability to balance defensive duties with offensive support made him a crucial figure for Morocco.

Centre-back - Pau Cubarsi

Spain’s teenage defender Cubarsi impressed with composure and control, playing every minute and winning the Young Player of the Tournament award. He led all defenders in passes attempted and completed, contributed eight chances created, and was key in limiting France’s chances in the semi-final.

Centre-back - Lisandro Martinez

Argentina’s Martinez blended aggression with tactical awareness. His pivotal assist and goal against Cape Verde swung momentum in Argentina’s favor. Ranked highly for clearances and forward passes, he showed defensive solidity and a willingness to build play. An injury cut his final short, but his overall impact was significant.

Left-back - Marc Cucurella

Following a strong Euro 2024, Cucurella continued his fine form at this World Cup. Defensively sound with key tackles against France, he also provided three big chances and two assists, cementing his role as a full-back who influences both ends of the pitch for Spain.

Central Midfielder - Rodri

After recovering from an ACL injury, Rodri showcased why he is Spain’s midfield lynchpin. Leading the tournament with 811 passes and dominating line-breaking balls, he combined control with tenacity, winning 49 duels. Named Player of the Tournament, Rodri was central to Spain’s success.

Central Midfielder - Granit Xhaka

Xhaka earned a place ahead of some attackers in this 4-3-3 setup. The Swiss captain was nearly flawless across six games, completing 430 of 470 passes and ranking eighth for final third passes. He played numerous through balls and matched the highest numbers for possession recoveries, showing leadership and precision.

Central Midfielder - Jude Bellingham

England’s Bellingham bounced back from club struggles to score seven goals, including critical braces in knockout matches. His finishing was efficient, outperforming expected goals metrics, while his defensive work included 50 duels won, helping England reach the latter stages.

Forward - Lionel Messi

At 39, Messi dazzled again, scoring a hat-trick in the opener and briefly becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer. He consistently pulled Argentina back into games with creativity, leading the competition with 25 chances created and delivering key assists in crucial rounds.

Forward - Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe stood out as the tournament’s most dangerous attacker despite France falling short. With 10 goals, he won the Golden Boot and recorded 14 goal contributions, the highest ever at a single World Cup. His four assists and 18 open-play chances highlighted a well-rounded attacking display.

Centre-forward - Erling Haaland

Making his World Cup debut, Haaland scored seven goals in five matches, boasting the best goals-per-90 rate among players with over 200 minutes. He focused on finishing inside the box rather than deep playmaking. His brace against Brazil marked a historic moment for Norway, though they exited in the quarter-finals.

Honourable Mentions

• Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele produced notable attacking stats, with Dembele assisting seven goals, but inconsistencies in the knockout stages led to their exclusion.
• Harry Kane scored six times for England but had uneven performances in key matches.
• Defensive players like Pedro Porro and Aymeric Laporte were left out, as was Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who performed admirably but fell just short of Simon’s consistency.