AIPS opens voting for the “FIFA World Cup 2026 Best XI”

Emotions, shows, dramatic turnarounds and controversial moments: the FIFA World Cup 2026 was a global event that was hard to say goodbye to.

That’s exactly why AIPS is extending the debate with a new project dedicated to the tournament’s best 11 players.

To vote media men would click on the banner at the top of the aips website (www.aipsmedia.com) to select your “Best XI”.

One day after naming Lionel Messi as the “AIPS Outstanding Player of the Tournament”, based on votes cast by 472 sports journalists from 121 countries, the International Sports Press Association has launched a new challenge for its members.

BEST XI Through the official poll called “FIFA World Cup Best XI powered by AIPS”, AIPS-accredited journalists together with all participants in the AIPS World Cup Hotline are invited to build the tournament’s dream team.

AIPS members and AIPS Hotline participants can choose the 11 best players of the tournament from a shortlist of more than 50 nominees, all selected for their performances throughout the World Cup.

Voting has opened and will close on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 at 9 am (CEST).

Choose your favourites and help select our “Best XI” – the World Cup dream team.

HOW TO VOTE: Participants are required to select their top three players for each category below. Your first choice will receive 5 points, your second choice 3 points, and your third choice 1 point.

Please vote for your:

• Top 3 Goalkeepers
• Top 3 Left Backs
• Top 3 Centre Backs
• Top 3 Right Backs
• Top 3 Midfielders
• Top 3 Strikers

The final Best 11 will be selected using a 4-3-3 formation, consisting of the top ranked players for each position:

• 1 Goalkeeper
• 1 Left Back
• 2 Centre Backs
• 1 Right Back
• 3 Midfielders
• 3 Strikers

SHORTLIST for FIFA World Cup “Best XI” powered by AIPS Below are the nominees for each position (in alphabetical order by surname).

System: 1-4-3-3

Goalkeeper

Bounou Yassine (Morocco)
Dias Josimar “Vozinha” José Évora (Cape Verde)
Gill Orlando (Paraguay)
Martínez Emiliano (Argentina)
Simón Unai (Spain)

Right back

Cancelo João (Portugal)
⁠Freeman Alex (USA)
Hakimi Achraf (Morocco)
Koundé Jules (France)
⁠Porro Pedro (Spain)

Centre backs 

Ajer ⁠Kristoffer (Norway)
Cubarsí Pau (Spain)
Dias Rúben (Portugal)
Guéhi Marc (England)
Laporte Aymeric (Spain)
Martínez Lisandro (Argentina)
Niakhaté Moussa (Senegal)
Romero Cristian (Argentina)
Upamecano Dayot (France)
Veiga Renato (Portugal)

Left-back

Cucurella Marc (Spain)
De Cuyper Maxim (Belgium)
Mendes Nuno (Portugal)
Rodríguez Ricardo (Switzerland)
⁠Santos Douglas (Brazil)
⁠

Midfielders

⁠Anderson Elliot (England)
Barcola Bradley (France)
⁠Bellingham Jude (England)
Bouaddi Ayyoub (Morocco)
Cascante Rodrigo “Rodri” Hernández (Spain)
Casimiro Carlos Henrique (Brazil)
Díaz Brahim (Morocco)
Fernández Enzo (Argentina)
Koné Kouadio Emmanuel Boris “Manu” (France)
Ødegaard Martin (Norway)
Olise Michael (France)
Quiñones Julián (Mexico)
Tillman Malik (USA)
Trossard Leandro (Belgium)
Strikers 

De Ketelaere Charles (Belgium)
Embolo Breel (Switzerland)
Haaland Erling (Norway)
Kane Harry (England)
Lukaku Romelu (Belgium)
Martínez Lautaro (Argentina)
Mbappé Kylian (France)
⁠Messi Lionel (Argentina)
Oyarzabal Mikel (Spain)
Saibari Ismael (Morocco)
Sarr Ismaïla (Senegal)
Yamal Lamine (Spain)