World Cup 2026 Best XI: SN's Star-Studded Lineup Featuring Haaland and Messi

SN's Top Picks for World Cup 2026 Best XI

Spain took home the trophy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but this tournament was really about the incredible talent on display. From familiar legends to rising stars, the event sparked excitement across North America and beyond.

Not all of the brightest performances came from the biggest names, though. The Sporting News has put together an all-star starting lineup from this summer’s action, selecting one top player for each position.

Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez (Argentina)

Despite Unai Simon claiming the Golden Glove, Emi Martinez stood out as the most impressive goalkeeper. His record-breaking 11 saves in the final alone surpassed Simon’s total of 10 across the whole knockout stage. Martinez ended the tournament with 20 saves, second only to Paraguay’s Orlando Gill, all while playing through a broken finger. A monumental effort between the posts.

Honorable mentions: Vozinha (Cape Verde), Eloy Room (Curacao)

Right-back: Pedro Porro (Spain)

Porro emerged as the best full-back, ranking fifth overall by FotMob and dominating Spain’s right flank. His ability to control possession and strong defensive work—winning over five duels per game and excelling in aerial battles—helped Spain maintain a historic defensive record. Remarkably, he avoided bookings throughout the tournament.

Honorable mention: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Center-backs: Pau Cubarsi (Spain) and Cristian Romero (Argentina)

FIFA named Cubarsi the Young Player of the Tournament, and at just 19, he played like one of the world’s elite defenders. He completed the second-most passes of any player at the World Cup behind Rodri and won nearly 60% of his ground duels. On the Argentine side, Romero combined strong defensive stats—63% ground duel wins and 72% in the air—with clutch moments, including two key goals that helped Argentina stage comebacks.

Honorable mentions: Aymeric Laporte (Spain), John Stones (England), Dayot Upamecano (France)

Left-back: Marc Cucurella (Spain)

Cucurella stood out going forward, assisting two goals—the joint-highest among defenders—and creating three big chances, second only to Nuno Mendes. Positioned behind a defensively minded teammate, his offensive contributions were crucial in Spain’s methodical style. He looks set for success at Real Madrid.

Honorable mentions: Djed Spence (England), Nuno Mendes (Portugal)

Central Midfielders: Rodri (Spain) and Jude Bellingham (England)

Rodri earned the Golden Ball for his dominant presence, completing more passes than anyone in World Cup history. He orchestrated Spain’s play flawlessly, setting the rhythm for attack and defense alike. Bellingham impressed England fans with his creativity and grit, scoring seven goals and winning numerous duels. His energy and skill made a huge impact throughout the tournament.

Honorable mentions: Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco), Declan Rice (England), Dani Olmo (Spain), Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil), Youri Tielemans (Belgium)

Right Wing: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi dazzled again, scoring eight goals and leading the tournament with 28 dribbles completed and 26 chances created. Though Argentina fell short in the final, his performance reaffirmed his place as the greatest ever. At 39, Messi still dazzled with precise crosses, shots, and passes, leaving no doubt about his legacy.

Honorable mentions: Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast), Ousmane Dembele (France)

Attacking Midfield: Michael Olise (France)

Olise was the creative spark for France’s attacking powerhouse, setting a World Cup record with seven assists. With teammates like Mbappe and Dembele surrounding him, Olise’s vision and passing stood out. He recorded 18 key passes, making him one of the tournament’s best playmakers and a future Ballon d’Or candidate.

Honorable mentions: Martin Odegaard (Norway), Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)

Left Wing: Kylian Mbappe (France)

Though France didn’t win, Mbappe shone bright, netting 10 goals to claim the Golden Boot. His ability to carry the team and combine with teammates earned him a spot among the tournament’s finest. He became the first player to win multiple World Cup top scorer awards and may go down as the greatest World Cup player ever.

Honorable mentions: Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Luis Diaz (Colombia)

Striker: Erling Haaland (Norway)

Haaland proved to be a relentless force, scoring seven goals in just five matches. His knack for decisive moments turned games around even when Norway struggled. No other striker matched his impact despite playing fewer games, carrying Norway further than ever before.

Honorable mentions: Harry Kane (England), Julian Quinones (Mexico), Ismael Saibari (Morocco)