World Cup Dream XI Announced, Goalkeeper Vozinha a Surprise Pick
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- FIFA released its World Cup Dream XI, featuring top stars but also surprising selections.
- Vozinha, goalkeeper for Cape Verde, was a notable surprise inclusion in the best XI.
- The team includes players from Spain, France, Argentina, England, Norway, and Cape Verde, sparking debate among fans.
FIFA has unveiled its "Dream XI," the top 11 players from the recent World Cup, selected through user votes on its official platform. The lineup features expected superstars alongside several unexpected choices, sparking discussion among football enthusiasts.
The most surprising selection is arguably Vozinha, the goalkeeper for Cape Verde. Despite his team not reaching the final stages, Vozinha's impressive saves left a strong impression, earning him a spot over goalkeepers from major footballing nations.
The defensive line is formed by Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella of world champions Spain, Argentina's Lisandro Martรญnez, and France's Dayot Upamecano. The Spanish duo were key to their team's championship victory. In midfield, FIFA selected Rodri, Michael Olise, and Jude Bellingham. Rodri was central to Spain's dominant performance, Olise impressed for France, and Bellingham was a standout for England.
The attacking trio is a formidable lineup of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappรฉ. Messi led Argentina to the final, Mbappรฉ was France's star, and Haaland captained Norway to a historic achievement. Spain and France each have three representatives in the team, while Argentina has two, and England, Norway, and Cape Verde have one each.
However, the selection has not been without controversy. Notable omissions include key players from Spain's title-winning squad, such as Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Dani Olmo. These kinds of selections, based on user votes rather than solely on expert judgment, often lead to divided reactions.
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.