The 2026 World Cup has concluded, and Spain has claimed victory over Argentina in a spectacular 39-day tournament that featured 48 teams and 104 matches. The journey to crowning the champion was one for the history books.
With the tournament’s conclusion, it’s time to reflect on the standout performers and those who fell short of expectations as teams succumbed to the sweltering heat. Mark Ogden examines the players who shone brightly alongside those who struggled.
– Reaction: Spain’s Victory Over Argentina: Insights and Analysis
– Ogden: Messi’s Off Day: Still the GOAT
– Marcotti: Stars Shone Brightly, but Spain was the True Team to Beat
Best XI of the 2026 World Cup
GK — Vozinha, Cape Verde: While Spain’s Unai Simón was exceptional, Vozinha, a 40-year-old Cape Verdean keeper, stole the spotlight by delivering a stellar performance with crucial saves against Argentina, securing his legacy as a World Cup icon.
DF — Djed Spence, England: In a surprising choice, English coach Thomas Tuchel favored Spence over Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. Spence rose to the occasion, impressing with every match, especially during a standout semifinal against Argentina.
DF — Pau Cubarsí, Spain: At just 19 years old, Cubarsí played with surprising confidence and skill despite occasional lapses. He notably persevered in the final after enduring a challenging clash with Enzo Fernández.
DF — Aymeric Laporte, Spain: Having returned to form after stints in Saudi Arabia, Laporte demonstrated high-quality play and built a solid partnership with Cubarsí, proving he still belongs at the top level.
DF — Marc Cucurella, Spain: After securing a significant transfer to Real Madrid just before the tournament, Cucurella silenced critics with remarkable performances, cementing his place as a key player.
MF — Rodri, Spain: As a dominant defensive midfielder, Rodri operated at an unrivaled level throughout the tournament, showcasing exceptional skill in maintaining possession and orchestrating play.
MF — Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morocco: At just 18, Bouaddi broke onto the scene after opting to represent Morocco instead of France. Despite a quarterfinal exit, he showcased immense potential during the tournament.
FW — Lionel Messi, Argentina: At 39 years of age, Messi performed admirably throughout his sixth World Cup, guiding Argentina deep into the tournament and reinforcing his legacy as one of all-time greats.
MF — Jude Bellingham, England: Bellingham’s seven goals throughout the tournament demonstrated his prowess, marking an extraordinary achievement for a central midfielder with a drive and tenacity that made him a standout performer.
FW — Kylian Mbappé, France: With two goals in the bronze medal match, Mbappé finished as the tournament’s top scorer with ten goals, showcasing his remarkable talent, although his semifinal performance against Spain proved problematic for Les Bleus.
FW — Erling Haaland, Norway: Haaland made headlines by scoring seven goals to match the record for the best World Cup debut, captivating fans not just for his skills on the pitch but also for his vibrant personality off it.
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Burley Outraged by Argentina’s World Cup Final Performance
Most Disappointing XI of the 2026 World Cup
GK — Fernando Muslera, Uruguay: The experienced keeper made several critical errors throughout the tournament, culminating in his substitution during Uruguay’s last group stage match against Spain, marking his ineffective tournament.
DF — Joshua Kimmich, Germany: Kimmich’s move to right-back proved disastrous, undermining Germany’s defensive efforts and resulting in a tournament marred by their lack of success.
DF — Virgil van Dijk, Netherlands: As captain, Van Dijk struggled to organize a defense that was frequently exposed, and his failure to step up during critical moments, like the penalty shootout loss to Morocco, hurt his team’s chances.
DF — Marc Guéhi, England: Guéhi looked good in earlier matches but faltered in the semifinal against Argentina, his performance falling short of the expectations placed upon him.
DF — Nico O’Reilly, England: O’Reilly struggled in an unfamiliar fullback role and was marginalized by opposing teams, failing to show his mettle when his team needed him most.
MF — Federico Valverde, Uruguay: Valverde struggled to deliver impactful performances as Uruguay failed to make a mark, mired in controversy and intra-team conflicts.
MF — Scott McTominay, Scotland: McTominay’s lackluster performances left his early promise unfulfilled, as he failed to recreate the magic that secured Scotland’s qualification.
MF — Bruno Fernandes, Portugal: Although a star at club level, Fernandes failed to shine with Portugal, struggling to adapt and make a significant impact on the international stage.
FW — Florian Wirtz, Germany: Wirtz’s tournament performance raised questions about his worth, drowning in obscurity while failing to justify his hefty transfer fee.
FW — Christian Pulisic, United States: Pulisic began strong but failed to regain form after injury, disappearing when his team needed him the most.
FW — Neymar, Brazil: Neymar’s minimal contributions due to injury raised eyebrows over his selection, overshadowing younger talents who could have benefitted from the opportunity.