Opta names select World Cup Team of the Tournament
Opta’s World Cup Selections
Opta has released its World Cup Team of the Tournament, featuring a mix of established stars and standout performers. The selections highlight players who demonstrated exceptional statistics throughout the competition. Among those recognized are several players from Spain, the tournament champions, as well as key figures from Argentina, England, and France.
The team includes players like Manchester United‘s Lisandro Martinez and others who recently departed clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea. These selections are based on detailed statistical analysis of player performance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Key Defensive and Midfield Performers
In defense, Lisandro Martinez of Argentina was noted for leading his country’s backline in passes with 460 and accurate passes with 427. He also became the only Argentine defender on record to score and assist in a FIFA World Cup game, achieving this against Cabo Verde.
Marc Cucurella of Spain was a prominent figure among full-backs, leading in successful final third passes with 142 and successful passes with 382. He also ranked second for touches in the opposition box with 19. Another Spanish defender, Pedro Porro, was included after a tournament where he scored two goals and contributed to five clean sheets. His performance was particularly notable after a period where he was not consistently involved with the national team.
Cristian Romero of Argentina also made the team, having recovered from a knee injury to play a crucial role for his country. His individual performance in the semifinal against England was highlighted, and his attacking contributions aided Argentina‘s progress in the knockout stages. Aymeric Laporte, another Spanish defender, was recognized for his faultless tournament, playing a significant role in Spain‘s defensive record.
In midfield, Spain‘s Rodri was a dominant force, registering the most accurate passes with 756, most carries with 164, and most line-breaking passes with 122 in the competition. His 756 successful passes represent the most ever recorded in a single edition of the World Cup. Rodri was also named the World Cup Golden Ball winner, underscoring his instrumental role in Spain‘s control of games.
Michael Olise of France provided a record amount of assists, with 7, breaking a 56-year record previously held by Pelé. His vision and composure were key attributes. Jude Bellingham of England also featured, scoring seven goals, which was the most by an England player in a single World Cup. He was particularly dominant in England‘s knockout stage victories over Mexico and Norway.
Goalkeeping and Attacking Prowess
In goal, Orlando Gill of Paraguay earned a spot after a remarkable run that saw him make the most saves with 23 and prevent the most goals with 2.6, according to Opta. Despite a challenging start to the tournament, Gill recorded back-to-back clean sheets to help Paraguay reach the round-of-32 and achieved national hero status by denying Germany in a penalty shootout, saving spot kicks from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade.
Up front, Erling Haaland of Norway was included, averaging a goal every 17.1 touches at the 2026 World Cup. He had 120 touches and scored 7 goals, marking the second fewest touches on record for a player to score five or more goals at a single tournament since 1966, following Oleg Salenko in 1994.
Other notable attacking players in the team include Leandro Trossard, who scored two and assisted two goals, and created more chances from open play than any other player with 17. Kylian Mbappé of France won the Golden Boot and became the all-time leading goalscorer in the competition’s history. Lionel Messi of Argentina ranked first for big chances created and key passes per game, and second for goals scored and successful dribbles per game.
Unai Simon of Spain, who won the Golden Glove award, recorded the highest save percentage and contributed to Spain‘s effective high defensive line. Pau Cubarsi, also from Spain, led the tournament for touches, successful passes, and clearances, and was awarded the FIFA Young Player Award. Marc Guehi of England was recognized for his composure and defending, helping England secure a third-place finish.
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Source: bbc.com
