Mbappé, Bellingham, and Cucurella feature in World Cup Best XI selections

By Arjun Sharma — 22 July 2026 — 3 min read

Various selections for the World Cup 2026 Best XI have highlighted several prominent players, including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Marc Cucurella. These players were recognised for their performances throughout the tournament, with some selections focusing on their impact on their respective teams.

Key Player Selections

In one World Cup team of the tournament, Cape Verde‘s Vozinha was chosen as the goalkeeper. Despite playing in the Portuguese second division, Vozinha delivered a memorable performance, particularly in stopping Spain from scoring. Spain’s Unai Simon was the official winner of the best goalkeeper award.

The defensive line saw a strong representation from Spain. Pedro Porro was selected at right-back, noted for his role in a champion team. On the opposite flank, Marc Cucurella was considered one of the easiest picks, with no opposing winger finding significant success against him. Cucurella, who became a regular for Spain in the summer of 2024, is now regarded as one of the top left-backs in world football. In the central defence, Pau Cubarsi, a 19-year-old Spaniard and winner of the young player award, was paired with Cristian Romero, who contributed defensively and offensively, initiating Argentina‘s comeback against Egypt.

The midfield was anchored by Spain’s Rodri, whose inclusion was deemed obvious. He captained Spain to the title and was named the adidas Golden Ball winner as the tournament’s best player. Alongside Rodri, Dani Olmo was selected, having started all knockout games and becoming increasingly indispensable as the tournament progressed. Other contenders for midfield spots included England‘s Elliot Anderson and France‘s Adrien Rabiot, though their performances in crucial matches were noted as less impactful.

The forward line featured some of the tournament’s biggest names. Kylian Mbappé, the Golden Boot winner with 10 goals, occupied the left-wing position. His goals also led to him becoming the first player to be top scorer in successive tournaments. Mbappé demonstrated maturity in leading France past Paraguay in the last 16. On the right, Lionel Messi of Argentina was included. While his goals became less frequent in the later stages, he was instrumental in Argentina’s semi-final comeback against England. Messi guided Argentina to the final and was the tournament’s Silver Ball and Silver Boot winner.

Centrally, Jude Bellingham slotted into the attacking midfield role. Bellingham’s seven goals were a record for an England player at a World Cup, and he finished with the adidas Bronze Boot. His influence extended to every phase of the game, combining maturity, vision, and energy. For the lone striker position, Erling Haaland was chosen over Harry Kane. Haaland was a consistent threat, notably scoring a brace to defeat Brazil in the last 16. He scored seven goals, one more than Kane, and achieved this in one fewer game, not counting the third-place play-off.

Additional Recognitions and Standout Performances

Beyond the selected Best XI, several other players received significant recognition for their performances. The shortlist for the tournament’s best player included nine stars. These nominees were highlighted for their memorable performances, ranging from Golden Ball and Golden Boot winners to breakout stars and inspirational leaders.

Ousmane Dembele was noted for his dribbling, pace, and creativity, playing a key role in France’s attacking efforts with important goals and assists. Harry Kane, England’s captain, inspired his side to a third-place finish with decisive performances and vital goals, showcasing his clinical finishing and intelligent link-up play. Lamine Yamal, still a teenager, established himself as an exciting young talent with fearless dribbling and creativity, dazzling throughout Spain’s title-winning campaign.

An honourable mention was given to Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored five times and proved to be a more consistent threat than anticipated. The tournament saw many players leave a lasting mark with their skill and contributions.

Source: bbc.com

Arjun Sharma

Sports Reporter