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SportsSpain World Cup winners Laporte, Cubarsí omitted from FIFA Best XI vote, sparking outrage
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Following Spain's victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they conceded only one goal, surprise and outrage have emerged in Spain over the exclusion of center-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí from the public vote for the tournament's best XI. FIFA's voting list includes defenders such as Cucurella, Pedro Porro, Lisandro Martínez, Van Dijk, and others, but omits the Spanish duo who were instrumental in Spain's defensive success. Cubarsí was named best young player of the tournament. Other notable Spanish absences include Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino. The article highlights the perceived incoherence of the omission given Spain's defensive record.
Source report
Updated: July 21, 2026 — 08:31 CEST Author: Daniel L. Peinado, Web Editor, Diario AS
The World Cup concluded with Spain crowned champions at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, earning their second star. The 26 players called up by Luis de la Fuente for the tournament are now part of Spanish national team history.
One of the most notable aspects of Spain's triumph has been their defense. The team conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament, a success largely attributed to the center-back pairing of Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí.
FIFA's Best XI Vote Sparks Controversy
As is customary after every competition, FIFA allows the public to vote for the best XI of the World Cup. However, this year's selection has sparked outrage.
In the defensive category, neither Cubarsí nor Laporte appear. Cubarsí, who was named the tournament's Best Young Player, is notably absent from the vote — a decision widely seen as incoherent and illogical.
The defenders included in the vote are:
- Marc Cucurella
- Pedro Porro
- Lisandro Martínez
- Nuno Mendes
- Virgil van Dijk
- Gabriel Magalhães
- Cuti Romero
- Dayot Upamecano
Goalkeepers and Other Positions
In goal, the nominees include:
- Unai Simón (Spain)
- Vozinha
- Dibu Martínez
- Jordan Pickford
- Room
In midfield and on the wings, Spanish players Rodri and Lamine Yamal appear, alongside:
- Jude Bellingham
- Michael Olise
- Vinícius Júnior
- Enzo Fernández
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Luka Modrić
- Saibari
Up front, Mikel Oyarzabal is included, along with:
- Kylian Mbappé
- Quiñones
- Harry Kane
- Erling Haaland
- Lionel Messi
Reaction in Spain
In Spain, there is widespread disbelief that neither Laporte nor Cubarsí feature in the vote. Other notable absences from the national team include Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino. FIFA has left out the tournament's most talked-about center-back pairing from the ideal eleven.
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Tagged in: Football | Spanish National Team | Spanish National Football Team | 2026 World Cup | Marc Pubill | Aymeric Laporte
Source
Fútbol en AS.comWestern
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Surprise as Laporte and Cubarsí Omitted from FIFA World Cup Best XI Vote