Dan the Scout’s 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament – Who’s in Yours?

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·20 July 2026

Dan the Scout’s 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament – Who’s in Yours?

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.

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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. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ADMIN COMMENT

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