We are here with our FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Finals Best XI. The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals delivered everything fans could have hoped for, dramatic extra-time battles, stunning goals, and individual brilliance from some of the game's biggest stars. Four nations booked their places in the semi-finals, with Argentina, France, Spain, and England emerging victorious after an unforgettable round of matches.
Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time; France edged past Morocco 2-0; Spain overcame Belgium in the tournament to continue their impressive run; and England produced another memorable performance against Norway to reach the last four. Several players produced standout displays, making the selection of the quarter-final Best XI an incredibly difficult task.
Here is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Finals Best XI in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)
The Argentine goalkeeper once again proved why he is one of the world's best in knockout football. Although he could do little to stop Switzerland's equalizer, Martínez produced four crucial saves to keep Lionel Scaloni's side in the contest. His composure and big-game mentality were vital in Argentina's progression to the semi-finals.
Defense
Right Back: Jules Koundé (France)
Koundé enjoyed another excellent outing for France. The defender saw plenty of possession and gave the opposition very little room to attack down his flank. Solid defensively and comfortable in possession, he was one of France's most reliable performers.
Centre Back: Cristian Romero (Argentina)
Romero was arguably Argentina's standout defender. Before being substituted in the 106th minute, he recorded five recoveries and two interceptions while making several important challenges. His leadership and aggression helped Argentina withstand long periods of Swiss pressure.
Center Back: Lisandro Martínez (Argentina)
Martínez delivered an impressive all-round display. Defensively, he made several key clearances, while his passing and ball-carrying ability helped Argentina build attacks from deep. The Manchester United defender also completed three successful dribbles and played nine passes into the final third.
Left Back: Lucas Digne (France)
Digne was a constant attacking outlet for France. He surged forward whenever possible and even struck the crossbar with a superb long-range effort. Defensively, he also handled the dangerous Brahim Diaz effectively, completing a well-rounded performance.
Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina)
Mac Allister played one of his most aggressive attacking games in an Argentina shirt. The midfielder scored the opening goal with a brilliant header despite being one of the shortest players on the pitch. Although he missed a couple of good chances, he constantly troubled Switzerland and was one of Argentina's biggest attacking threats.
Rodri (Spain)
Spain's midfield maestro once again controlled the tempo of the game. Everything Spain created flowed through Rodri, whose passing range and intelligence allowed La Roja to dominate possession. He also created several chances with his trademark pinpoint distribution and remains one of the tournament's most influential players.
Attack
Right Wing: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
By his incredibly high standards, Messi had a relatively quiet evening. However, the Argentine captain still made a decisive contribution by delivering the clever corner that led to Mac Allister's opening goal. His record nine-match World Cup scoring streak may have ended, but his creativity once again made the difference.
Attacking Midfielder: Jude Bellingham (England)
Bellingham produced another world-class performance for England. His opening goal showcased his quality, while his dribbling, composure, and control of the midfield made him the standout player on the pitch. He also reacted quickly to a goalkeeping error to put England ahead, underlining his incredible football intelligence.
Left Wing: Anthony Gordon (England)
Gordon's pace and direct running caused problems throughout the match. He showed excellent vision to set up Bellingham's equalizer and constantly looked dangerous whenever he carried the ball forward. His substitution midway through the second half came as a surprise considering his impact.
Striker: Kylian Mbappé (France)
Mbappé endured a rollercoaster evening. He came close to scoring within the opening five minutes and missed a penalty, but the French superstar responded in typical fashion by scoring a brilliant goal and providing an assist for Ousmane Dembélé. Once again, he proved why he remains one of the biggest game-changers in world football.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Finals Best XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)
- DEF: Jules Koundé (France), Cristian Romero (Argentina), Lisandro Martínez (Argentina), Lucas Digne (France)
- MID: Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina), Rodri (Spain)
- ATT: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Jude Bellingham (England), Anthony Gordon (England)
- ST: Kylian Mbappé (France)
With the semi-finals now set between France and Spain and Argentina against England, several of these stars will have another opportunity to shine as the race for World Cup glory intensifies.
