Fifa is facing a storm of criticism in Spain after leaving out World Cup-winning centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi from its fan vote shortlist for the best team of the 2026 tournament – despite the pair marshalling a record-breaking defence that conceded just one goal on the way to the title.
The governing body published on its official website the list of nominees for the public vote on the tournament’s best XI, but the names of Laporte and Cubarsi were missing. The decision has been denounced in Spanish media and among supporters as “illogical and contradictory”, given their central role in Spain’s run to a second World Cup crown at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Spain’s back line, anchored by the two central defenders, was statistically the strongest in the competition, with only a single goal conceded across seven matches – a new defensive benchmark for the tournament.
Young player of the tournament omitted
The omission of Barcelona defender Cubarsi has provoked particular anger in Spain because he was officially named the tournament’s Best Young Player.
Commentators and fans have questioned how a footballer deemed the outstanding young performer of the World Cup could then be excluded from the shortlist for the competition’s best XI.
The apparent contradiction has intensified frustration in Spain, where many see Cubarsi as one of the breakout stars of the tournament and a cornerstone of the national team’s future.
Who made Fifa’s defensive shortlist?
In place of Laporte and Cubarsi, Fifa’s shortlist for defenders includes two other Spaniards – Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro – along with Lisandro Martinez, Nuno Mendes, Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristian Romero and Dayot Upamecano.
In goal, Spain’s Unai Simon is among the nominees, alongside Votiinha (likely Vitor Roque’s club-mate goalkeeper category placeholder, often rendered as Votiinha or Votinha in some sources), Emiliano Martinez, Jordan Pickford and Bart Verbruggen.
Further up the pitch, Spanish representation continues. Midfield and wide positions feature Rodri and Lamine Yamal from Spain, joined by Jude Bellingham, Michael Olise, Vinicius Junior, Enzo Fernandez, Ousmane Dembele, Luka Modric and Tijjani Reijnders (rendered in the text as “صيباري”, likely referring to a similar-sounding name in midfield).
In attack, Spain’s Nico Williams makes the list alongside Kylian Mbappe, Keno (appearing as “كينونيس” in the original), Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.
More Spain stars overlooked
The controversy has not been limited to Laporte and Cubarsi. Two other Spanish players who were widely praised for their performances in the tournament, Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino, also failed to make the shortlist for the best XI.
Their exclusion has deepened scepticism in Spain about the selection criteria used by Fifa, with pundits and supporters openly questioning how some of the champions’ standout performers have been omitted while other names are included.
So far, Fifa has not publicly detailed the full methodology behind its choices, beyond indicating that the list forms the basis for a global fan vote.
Historic defensive record ignored?
Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph was built on an exceptional defensive platform. Over the course of seven matches, La Roja allowed just one goal – a historic feat that underlined the solidity of a back line led by Laporte and Cubarsi.
That record has been repeatedly cited in Spain as evidence that the two centre-backs should have been automatic selections for any best XI discussion.
As the fan vote proceeds, the backlash in Spain highlights a familiar tension around post-tournament awards: whether they truly reflect performances on the pitch, or are shaped by reputation, popularity and broader narratives.
For many in Spain, leaving out the partnership at the heart of the meanest defence in the competition risks undermining the credibility of Fifa’s showcase team of the tournament.
