Spain were crowned world champions for the second time in their history after Ferran Torres' goal in extra time conquered holders Argentina in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Luis de la Fuente's side headed the betting to win the World Cup on entry to North America and La Roja justified their pre-tournament favouritism with a stingy defence that conceded just one goal across their eight matches.
Spain restricted Argentina to just two shots across the 120 minutes of action in the showpiece and were utterly dominant throughout the contest as they replicated the famous La Roja team of 2010 by holding the European Championship and World Cup simultaneously.
Asides from the remarkable brilliance of Spain, there were a number of outstanding teams and individuals as records were broken at a memorable 2026 World Cup, and we've asssembled a best XI from the tournament.
GK: Unai Simon
The development of Cabo Verde's veteran goalkeeper Vozinha from unknown quantity to global star made him a strong contender for the goalkeeper position, but from a sporting merit it has to go to Spain's Unai Simon.
Simon didn't have a substantial amount to contend with as La Roja conceded just 2.7 xG across the tournament, and yet the Athletic Club shot stopper was pivotal in the operations of a watertight Spain backline.
The 29-year-old was a reassuring presence and his anticipation of the long ball over Spain's high line meant neither Pau Cubarsi or Aymeric Laporte had to worry about runners getting in behind - just look at how Simon averted danger 40 yards from his goal when Lionel Messi was played through in the final.
RB: Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro's inclusion in the XI raised eyebrows after two forgettable seasons with Tottenham Hotspur and Marcos Llorente waiting in the wings, but the Spurs right-back was sublime throughout the tournament.
A key component in Spain's build-up play, he forged a fruitful partnership with Lamine Yamal on the right flank. Porro showcased his defensive qualities by neutralising Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue before scoring the winning goal in a Player of the Match display against France, and he was excellent again in the final.
CB: Pau Cubarsi
A deserved winner of the Young Player of the Tournament award.
Cubarsi has all of the ingredients to emulate the great Spanish central defenders who were present to witness another masterful showing in the World Cup final.
19 years of age and completely unfazed on the grandest stage of all.
CB: Aymeric Laporte
Laporte's central defensive partnership with Cubarsi was the perfect blend of experience and youth.
In the last decade, it's been quite rare that a player leaves Manchester City and maintains their high level, and despite a stint in Saudi Arabia before returning to his boyhood team Athletic Club, Laporte has grown in stature to play a pivotal role in Spain's path to World Cup glory.
Minimal errors, minimal fuss.
LB: Marc Cucurella
An entire back five consisting of Spain players, I hear you say? Having conceded just one goal and 2.7 xG across the entire tournament, can you blame me?
Real Madrid's new recruit Cucurella is one of the nailed on members in this Team of the Tournament and the 27-year-old has evolved into one of the world's best left-backs.
On top of his defensive attributes and the endeavour he showcases in attack, Cucurella has emerged as a strong leader in the Spain camp.
CM: Rodri
Manchester City fans will be licking their lips at the sight of the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner recapturing the levels he was operating at prior to the ACL injury he sustained in September 2024.
The midfield lynchpin was utterly dominant throughout the World Cup as he dictated Spain's attack - he averaged 94 successful passes per 90 (10 more than Xavi in 2010) - and offered a protective layer for La Roja's backline. He nullified France's broad range of attacking talent, and stifled the supply line to Argentina's forward pairing of Messi and Julian Alvarez.
While many anticipated Messi would be named Golden Ball winner, the award rightly fell into the clutches of La Roja's midfield supremo.
CM: Jude Bellingham
Not only did Enzo Fernandez's needless red card in the World Cup final cost his country, but it's also given Bellingham the edge in this battle to feature in the 2026 World Cup XI.
Following months of debate concerning his inclusion in England's starting XI, Bellingham silenced his critics with seven goals - the most of any Three Lions player at a single World Cup - and a series of vital tackles, clearances and mazing runs to help his team.
It didn't matter what Tuchel asked of him, he executed each role by giving 110%.
RW: Michael Olise
Michael Olise's seventh assist of the tournament against England saw the Bayern Munich star surpass Pele's long-standing record for most assists in a single World Cup.
Olise's offering in the semi-final defeat to Spain was mightily disappointing given the flair and swagger he exhibited prior to the last four showdown in Dallas, which was a continuation of his extraordinary form for Vincent Kompany's Bayern in the 2025/26 season.
The 24-year-old provided Kylian Mbappe with a supreme service by producing the second-most big chances behind Messi.
CAM: Lionel Messi
39 years old and Messi is still weaving his insatiable magic on the grand stage like he was a decade ago.
Many were cautious of his ability to influence proceedings for Argentina compared to the previous World Cup, but the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner gripped matches by the scruff of their neck and dragged La Albiceleste to victory, providing eight goals and four assists.
He was anonymous in the final, although Messi was simply victim to Spain's overwhelming superiority.
LW: Kylian Mbappe
The choice of position for Mbappe is slightly contentious given he performed in the leading striker role for Didier Deschamps, but the France talisman has to be in this XI.
A subdued opening 45 minutes against Senegal left many critics questioning Mbappe and France, only for those doubters to be silenced by full-time as the Real Madrid forward officially announced his arrival at the 2026 World Cup with two sublime individual goals.
Although he didn't achieve the second World Cup crown he'd targeted, he does leave North America with the Golden Boot and as the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer.
ST: Erling Haaland
Nations often tipped to be dark horses fail to live up to their billing and yet Norway were one of the standout teams in the tournament.
Imperative to their run to the quarter-finals was Haaland, who netted six goals on his World Cup debut - including a divine match-winning brace to conquer five-time winners Brazil in the last-16.
