It didn't lack surprises: Led by Messi and Mbappé... the "ideal line-up" for the 2026 World Cup revealed

Spain v Argentina: Final - FIFA World Cup 2026

A version that saw many names shine..

FIFA announced the "ideal line-up" of the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday evening, a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Spain lifted the trophy. Their senior side beat Argentina 1-0 in the final to be crowned 2026 world champions.

Rodri Golden Ball World Cup 2026 Spain

Spain trio in the World Cup's "Best XI"

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.

Pau Cubarsi GFX HD

Surprise.. Best Young Player Absent from the "Ideal Line-up"

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.

Lionel Messi Kylian Mbappe World Cup

The standout stars featured in the World Cup's "Best XI"

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.

Complete "Ideal Line-up" for the 2026 World Cup

Finally, here's the full "ideal line-up" for the 2026 World Cup, picked by the fans and unveiled by football's world governing body, FIFA.

* Goalkeeper: Vozinha "Cape Verde".

* Defence: Marc Cucurella "Spain", Alessandro Martinez "Argentina", Dayot Upamecano "France" and Pedro Porro "Spain".

* Midfield: Jude Bellingham "England" and Rodri "Spain".

* Behind the striker: Kylian Mbappé "France", Michael Olise "France" and Lionel Messi "Argentina".

* Centre-forward: Erling Haaland "Norway".