The 2026 FIFA World Cup has thrown up some exciting performances for fans to fawn over. These performances have been led by players who have worked hard for over four years to be sharp and accurate for this multi-nation tournament, where they hope to lead their country to glory.
Based on performances through the group stage and the Round of 16, here’s our best XI of this World Cup. For the sake of convenience, we will assume that our imaginary team play in a 4-3-3 formation.
World Cup 2026 Best XI So Far (4-3-3)
GOALKEEPER
Unai Simon (Spain)
The goalkeeper’s spot had a lot of competition, but we went with Spain’s Unai Simon for the simple reason that he’s yet to concede a goal at this tournament.
La Roja have been brilliant across all departments at this FIFA World Cup, but especially so in defense – they have kept tournament-high five clean sheets. And Simon has been central to that success. The Athletic Bilbao man leads the tournament with a 100% save percentage.
There was strong competition from Cape Verde’s Vozinha and Ghana’s Lawrence Ait-Zigi for the goalkeeper’s spot, but Simon pipped them to it.
DEFENDERS
Lucas Digne (France)
France’s Lucas Digne has won hearts all over the tournament with his piercing runs into the final third. Playing his second FIFA World Cup, he has been as sharp as ever, providing Les Bleus with the accuracy they need both in attack and defence.
The left-back has helped his side keep three clean sheets and appears primed to help them challenge for the title, for which they are favorites.
The Aston Villa man stood out for France in their narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in the R16 by completing 100% of his dribbles and winning 80% of his aerial duels. Digne leads France with 5.2 clearances per 90 minutes.
Tarik Muharemovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been among the best center-backs at the tournament.
He has made the most defensive contributions per 90 (18.3) despite his team being knocked out of the R32 after losing 0-2 to the USA. The Sassuolo man also leads the tournament with 14.9 clearances. Against the Stars and Stripes, Muharemovic recorded the most defensive contributions (14) and the most touches (104).
He might be in demand during the ongoing summer transfer window, especially since he is 187 cm tall and a left-footed central defender, both highly sought-after traits.
Marc Guehi (England)
England’s Marc Guehi has been one of the tournament’s most impressive defenders, and he will partner Muharemovic in the heart of the defense.
Guehi’s impressive physical abilities in winning aerial duels make him a valuable piece at the back. The Manchester City defender has contributed to two clean sheets. In the Three Lions’ R16 clash with Mexico, he posted an 89% passing accuracy and won 100% of his aerial duels.
He leads England with 76.4 accurate passes per 90 and 2.7 accurate long balls per 90.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi will patrol the flanks and play in the right-back position in this team.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender has been brilliant for his country, with three goal contributions at the time of writing. Hakimi leads Morocco in expected goals (xG) with 2.1 and expected assists (xA) with 1.0 and has created a team-high 15 chances for the Atlas Lions at this tournament. He will operate in an inverted position for our team as well.
His ability and willingness to provide sharp bursts of speed on the right flank while covering the corresponding winger makes him a deadly player. Hakimi also thrives on the overlap, which gives his team the opportunity to receive lobbed passes or crosses in the box.
MIDFIELDERS
Leandro Trossard (Belgium)
Belgium’s Leandro Trossard has been one of the most underrated players at this World Cup. Fresh off a Premier League title with Arsenal, he has consistently delivered for his team and helped guide them to the quarterfinals.
Trossard leads the tournament with 17 chances created and has registered a team-high four goal contributions. Most of what the Red Devils produce in attack flows through him. He tops Belgium in xG (1.7) and big chances created (three). His creativity will come in handy to this team.
Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)
Bruno Guimaraes’ story with Brazil is painful for everyone who paid close attention. The central midfielder assisted four times during the Canarinho’s campaign and was on course to overtake Pele, who recorded six in 1970, only to see his team get knocked out by Norway in the R16.
The Newcastle United midfielder is among the best in the world, and he is still second in assists, despite his team’s exit. He also created a team-high three big chances and 10 chances overall.
Michael Olise (France)
Has there been a better player to watch on the ball than France’s Michael Olise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? At 24, the Bayern Munich midfielder is already being touted as one of the best players in the world, and he has the numbers to prove it.
Olise leads the tournament with five assists and is second in big chances created (five). His xA per 90 of 0.51 makes him a threatening proposition across all areas of the pitch.
His current form suggests that he is in the prime of his life – Olise entered this tournament after producing 53 goal contributions across all competitions for Bayern.
FORWARDS
Erling Haaland (Norway)
If there is one man capable of emulating Diego Maradona’s feat for Argentina in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, it is Erling Haaland. Just as Maradona single-handedly won his team the title that year, Haaland has the talent and skill to deliver under pressure.
The Norway striker is currently second in the Golden Boot race with seven goals. The Manchester City forward also boasts an impressive 1.75 goals per 90, which takes him to third on that particular list.
Haaland appears to be Norway’s biggest hope at this tournament, and if he pushes himself, he might just achieve what the legendary Maradona did in 1986.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
It goes without saying that Kylian Mbappe is on his way to becoming the player of the tournament.
The France striker is arguably the best in the business, and is already joint-first in the Golden Boot race with eight goals. Mbappe is also second on the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring list (20), and is expected to lead France’s challenge for the crown.
Having won the World Cup already in 2018 and then tasted the pain of a defeat in the 2022 final, Mbappe has shown the maturity to remain composed under pressure and deliver when his team need him most.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Our World Cup best XI will not be complete without the iconic Lionel Messi. The Argentine turned 39 during the course of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, but has shown no signs of slowing down.
He currently co-leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, and is also the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history (21). Messi’s influence extends well beyond scoring. He leads the tournament in xG (5.0), goal contributions (nine), and shots on target per 90 (3.7).
Messi still has a lot of magic left in him, which he displays with effortless brilliance every time the ball is played wide to La Albiceleste’s right flank.
