FULL LIST: EPL fans name 2026 World Cup best XI
Following a fan vote with choices from a 101-player shortlist, Premier League supporters worldwide have selected their 2026 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament.
The resulting XI features Golden Ball winners, defensive anchors, and knockout-stage heroics, showcasing the depth of Premier League talent on international football’s biggest stage.
The Premier League Fan 2026 World Cup Best XI
| Position | Player | Country 🌍 | Premier League Club 🛡️ | Key Tournament Metric / Highlight 📊 |
| GK | Jordan Pickford| 🏴 England | Everton | 19 saves; became England’s most-capped men's World Cup keeper. |
| RB | Pedro Porro | 🇪🇸 Spain | Tottenham Hotspur | 2 goals, 10 chances created; assisted the winning goal in the final. |
| CB | Cristian Romero| 🇦🇷 Argentina | Tottenham Hotspur | Headed 79th-min comeback goal vs. Egypt; started 7 of 8 matches. |
| CB | Lisandro Martínez | 🇦🇷 Manchester United | 34 clearances (7th overall); goal & assist vs. Cape Verde. | |
| LB | Djed Spence | 🏴 England | Tottenham Hotspur | Breakout star in England’s 3rd-place run; vital recovery tackles. |
| CM| Elliot Anderson | 🏴 England | Manchester City | Ranked 1st in England’s squad for tackles (21) & interceptions (8). |
| CM| Rodri | 🇪🇸 Spain | Manchester City | Golden Ball winner; broke tournament passing record & covered most distance. |
| CM | Enzo Fernández | 🇦🇷 Argentina | Chelsea | Late knockout-stage winner against both Egypt and England. |
| RW | Bukayo Saka | 🏴 England | Arsenal | Hat-trick vs. France; finished with 3 goals & 3 assists in just 3 starts. |
| ST| Erling Haaland| 🇳🇴 Norway | Manchester City | 7 goals in 5 matches; first Norway player with a knockout brace. |
| LW| Ismaïla Sarr | 🇸🇳 Senegal | Crystal Palace | 4 goals in 4 matches; became Senegal’s all-time World Cup top scorer. |
Key Talking Points & Standout Performances
🇪🇸 Rodri & Porro Anchor Spain’s World Champions
Manchester City’s Rodri delivered a masterclass, earning the tournament’s official Golden Ball award. He misplaced only 5 of his 106 pass attempts in the final and established a new all-time World Cup record for total completed passes. On the right flank, Tottenham’s Pedro Porro led all defenders with two goals, including a strike in the semi-final against France before crossing for Spain’s winning goal against Argentina in the final.
🇦🇷 Defense & Clutch Goals Power Argentina
Argentina’s run to a second consecutive World Cup final was heavily supported by Premier League grit. Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez formed a formidable central pairing. Martínez delivered a standout performance in the Round of 32 with a goal and assist, while Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández provided crucial knockout goals against Egypt and England.
🏴 Three Lions' Breakout Stars
England secured third place—their best finish at a World Cup since 1966—thanks to crucial contributions across the squad. Jordan Pickford provided veteran reliability between the posts with 19 total saves. Djed Spence impressed at full-back, while new Manchester City signing Elliot Anderson led England in both tackles and interceptions. Up front, Bukayo Saka posted a memorable hat-trick against France, averaging a goal contribution every 45 minutes.
🇳🇴 Striker Brilliance
Erling Haaland made his World Cup debut count by netting seven goals in just five games for Norway, including two late strikes against Brazil in the Round of 16. Senegal’s Ismaïla Sarr matched that efficiency, scoring four goals in four matches to become his nation's leading goalscorer in World Cup history.
