It Was Not Without Surprise: Led by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.. The "Ideal Lineup" for the 2026 World Cup Revealed

Three Spain players made FIFA's official best XI of the 2026 World Cup, the reward for a triumphant campaign that ended with victory over Argentina in the final.

Here are the trio who earned their place in the team of the tournament:

* Right-back: Pedro Porro.

* Left-back: Marc Cucurella.

* Holding midfielder: Rodri Hernández.

Among those names, one thing stands out: young Spanish centre-back Pau Cubarsi and his veteran compatriot Aymeric Laporte are both missing from the "best XI" of the 2026 World Cup.

The pair formed the finest defensive partnership at the 2026 World Cup. Spain's senior side conceded just one goal in eight matches thanks to them.

Cubarsi's omission is the real surprise. The defender, aged just 19, walked away with the "Best Young Player" award at the tournament.

Instead, the selectors handed the centre-back berths to France's Dayot Upamecano and Argentina's Lisandro Martinez in the "best XI" of the World Cup on the American continent.

Contrary to the above, all the standout names made the "best XI" of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States alongside Mexico and Canada.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi, who carried his national team on his shoulders all the way to the final, naturally took his place in that "best XI". So did French forward Kylian Mbappé, the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals.

France's "best playmaker" Michael Olise joined them, alongside English midfielder Jude Bellingham and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.

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