FIFA's fan-voted World Cup dream XI has left fans baffled, as it does not feature Golden Glove winner Unai Simon or Young Player Award recipient Pau Cubarsi. Vozinha is in goal with almost 40% of the votes, while Dayot Upamecano and Lisandro Martinez are the two central defenders chosen by fans.
Of those two, the France international received the most votes, with nearly 15%, while his defensive partner in this team barely managed 10%. The two full-backs selected are Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro, both of Spain. Real Madrid's new left-back won 23% of the vote, and his international teammate is on the right with approaching 19%.
Fan reactions online
Lots of fans online have been left happy that Spain's goalkeeper and teenage defender are not included, though. In response to a FIFA social media post announcing the team, many expressed their feelings.
One said: "Golden glove winner is not the GK of the tournament. What a joke." Another added: "Why is there no Cubarsi in the defence?" A further user replied on X: "This should be a prank, right? Where's Cubarsi? Where's Simon, who collected the Golden Glove?" One more asked: "Martinez over Cubarsi? Are we for real… him, Laporte and Unai kept it only one goal all World Cup."
Midfield and attack
There were, though, fewer complaints about the rest of the team. England star Jude Bellingham, Michael Olise and Rodri make up the midfield three. However, despite receiving the Golden Ball, Spain's captain has just 15% of the vote. That total is some way behind Bronze Boot winner Bellingham's 29% and Olise's 19%.
Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are the front three. This summer's Golden Boot and Bronze Ball winner leads the way with almost 30% of the vote, with Haaland on 27% and Messi at 22%, despite having a Silver Ball and Silver Boot to go along with his runners-up medal.
Voting process
The vote was open for 48 hours after the World Cup final. There were also votes for the standout players - one goalkeeper, one defender, one midfielder and one forward - after every round throughout the tournament to build a shortlist. The four winners from each round made the shortlist. They joined "additional players identified by FIFA based on their performances during the tournament". Cubarsi was not the top-voted defender after any of the seven rounds. Simon did make it with almost 45% of the goalkeeper vote after the semi-finals. Vozinha, however, averaged 50% when winning round one and the round of 32.
