2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament: Spain’s defensive rock and a star-studded attack

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, ended with Spain lifting the trophy for the second time in their history, matching their 2010 triumph – also sealed by a single goal in extra time. Football.ua looks back at the tournament by selecting our symbolic best XI. Goalkeeper: Unai Simon (Spain). The Athletic Club shot-stopper once again justified Luis de la Fuente’s faith, conceding just one goal in eight matches. Along the way, he faced Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. Simon claimed the Golden Glove, keeping Arsenal’s David Raya – a three-time Premier League winner of the award – on the bench. Honorable mentions: Vozinha (Cape Verde) and Orlando Gill (Paraguay). Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella (all Spain). La Roja’s backline was impenetrable: Spain became only the third side after Italy (1938 and 1982) and West Germany (1990) to win a World Cup without ever falling behind. Porro cemented his spot at right-back, Cucurella outperformed Alejandro Grimaldo on the left, and the Laporte-Cubarsi axis provided calm. Cubarsi was named Best Young Player, although he could have prevented Charles De Ketelaere’s goal. Honorable mentions: Dayot Upamecano (France) and Lisandro Martinez (Argentina). Midfielders: Michael Olise (France), Rodri (Spain), Jude Bellingham (England). Olise didn’t score but led the tournament with seven assists. Rodri captained Spain to glory and was voted Player of the Tournament. Bellingham bagged seven goals – one more than Harry Kane (including two penalties) – but England only managed bronze. Honorable mentions: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) and Declan Rice (England). Forwards: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Erling Haaland (Norway), Kylian Mbappe (France). Despite Argentina’s final collapse, Messi contributed 12 goal involvements (8 goals, 4 assists) and would have been the best player had they won. Haaland lived up to expectations with braces against Iraq and Senegal in the group stage, plus three knockout goals (one vs Ivory Coast, two vs Brazil), taking Norway to the quarterfinals. Mbappe won his second straight Golden Boot, setting a new World Cup scoring record with 22 goals (ahead of Messi’s 21 and Miroslav Klose’s 16). Only a familiar England side could stop him.