World Cup 2018: Team of the tournament

France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final
The drama, upsets and goals made it a brilliant competition watched carefully by billions around the world

So France lifts their second World Cup, twenty years after Zidane took French to glory land and that is the culmination of an excellent World Cup, one of the best ever played.

The drama, upsets and goals made it a brilliant competition watched carefully by billions around the world.

There were a few standout players who delivered when it mattered for their country. they turned up on the world's biggest stage and did their country proud.

There were many big-name players who did not perform while there were some unknown gems that were unearthed and that is what makes the World Cup so special.

So without further ado, let's discuss the team of the World Cup.( 4-2-3-1 formation)


GK - Thibaut Courtois

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Courtois was brilliant especially against Brazil

In goal, FIFA got it absolutely right. Thibaut Courtois had a brilliant World Cup and the standout game for me was the Brazil game.

Stop after stop, it felt like Brazil were up against a wall. His last minute acrobatic save of Neymar was one of the saves of the tournament, it was only fitting that he was able to end his tournament with a clean sheet against England.

His huge frame can intimidate any striker and there is no doubt that he is top five in the world.

One wonders how long Chelsea will be able to keep him especially with Real Madrid lurking around but nevertheless, he's had a brilliant tournament and although there was very very close competition between him and Pickford, he was rightly given the Golden Glove.

Lloris probably could have claimed it but for his howler in the final but the right choice was eventually made.

Special Mention - Must go to Jordan Pickford, who has become an English hero becoming the first man to win a penalty shootout for England at a World Cup. He made fantastic saves in the game against Sweden as well. He has many years to go and can become a mainstay of this English team. His save against Belgium in the third-place game was also fantastic. Daniel Subasic and Hugo Lloris were the other standout keepers but Lloris had a howler in the final while Subasic did not provide many saves in open play.

RB: Kieran Trippier

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Trippier was a standout performer for England

Kieran Trippier also had a great tournament and was one of England's standout performers. He tirelessly moved up and down on the right flank fitting well into Gareth Southgate's system.

He also scored a great free-kick and delivered some outstanding set pieces. His set-piece delivery was probably the reason for most of England's goals as he frequently found players like Harry Maguire in the box.

England's long run in the competition can be credited to him and Tottenham will be glad they've found a capable replacement to Kyle Walker for the long term.

Special Mention - This one will go to two players, Thomas Meunier and Benjamin Pavard. The only game Belgium lost was the one Meunier did not play in and his presence was clearly missed.

Pavard, just two years ago was at the fan zone in Paris as France lost the Euro 2016 final. Now, he has played a pivotal role in France's victory. The Stuttgart player is usually deployed at centre back for his club but even though he was asked to adjust, he did so brilliantly.

The goal against Argentina was one of the goals of the tournament and came at an important stage of the game. He is only 22 years old but has the potential to develop into one of the best right backs in the world.

Raphael Varane and Diego Godin(CB)

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Varane was solid at the back for France

Choosing the centre-backs was probably the toughest task for me. In the end, we've gone with the two who've been leaders of their teams. Varane provided an element of composure and maturity that France needed in their team.

He was solid at the back. rarely put a foot wrong and showed his leadership skills throughout the tournament.

At 25 years of age, Varane has already won almost everything one can win in football and showed why he starts for Real Madrid.

His partner for this "dream team" would be Diego Godin who can best be described as a warrior.

His Athletico Madrid is one of the best defensively set up sides in Europe and he translated that form on to the national stage.

He was an integral part of a defence that conceded no goals in the group stage and thwarted Ronaldo's Portugal. His campaign ended in the quarterfinals with Uruguay but he showed age is just a number and he can play on for a long time.

Special Mention - The special mention must go to Varane's partner, Samuel Umtiti. He started the World Cup in the worst possible way by conceded an erratic penalty but he's comeback superbly. He put in a man of the match performance against Croatia in the final thwarting various attacks and formed an effective partnership with Varane. Defence wins you championships, and with the pairing France had in the middle of defence, there was little doubt over if they could go all the way. Vida for Croatia was also a standout performer who had numerous good games and Harry Maguire had a brilliant World Cup as well.

Ivan Strinic (LB)

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Strinic was one of the main players for Croatia

Ivan Strinic would not be a name one would have expected in the team of the tournament but he's played a big role in Croatia's best ever finish.

Overlapping on the left side , his crossing particularly has been very good. Defensively he's played some very tough opposition yet done well.

In the final, admittedly he was given a tough time by Kylian Mbappe but the stress of playing 360 minutes in three games must have played a part in dealing with the bolt like Mbappe.

Special Mention: The Uruguayan left back, Diego Laxalt had a great tournament. Left back is not his usual position but his pace and crossing helped Cavani and Suarez a lot. Apart from him, Lucas Hernandez for France was notably good as well, although he pushed high at times, some of his mazy runs eventually led to goals.

Luka Modric and N'Golo Kante (CM)

France v Croatia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final
The midfield maestro led by example

Nobody will exclude Luka Modric from their team of the tournament after the tournament he's had. The rightful Golden Ball winner looked heartbroken as Croatia lost the final but he has every right to be proud of his men as he led by example.

His ability to control the tempo of the game is somewhat similar to Andres Iniesta. He has a wide range of passing and even contributed with some goals.

With his legs slowly ageing, he got past three games that went to extra time and still played well in the final. One of the classiest players out there and probably the best midfielder in the world.

N'Golo Kante is every manager's dream player. He does his job with unparalleled perfection and still stays down to earth and humble. Standing at just 5 feet 6 inches, he lets his presence be known by running tirelessly chasing the ball like a pitfall and winning it back for his team multiple times.

A severely underrated player who along with Paul Pogba form a formidable midfield. In fact, when both of them have started together, France have not lost ever.

He intercepts almost everything and he's great to watch. At the end of the day, he does his job and there is always a bright smile on his face.

Special Mention - Pogba possibly could have been included in the team of the tournament. One of the most criticised players in the world performed when it mattered most. A crucial goal in a World Cup final along with superb defensive and attacking performances along the way have proved 90 million was a good price for the stylish midfielder.

If he can replicate this form with Manchester United, number 14 could be heading to Old Trafford.

Lucas Torreira for Uruguay showed glimpses of what he can do and reminded me of Kante in a way as he played a big role in shutting down Portugal.

Ivan Rakitic played the perfect Robin to Modric's Batman for Croatia showing his passing ability and composure on the ball.

Phillipe Coutinho (CAM)

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Many would have had Coutinho locked on the Golden Ball had Brazil made it further in the tournament

Many would have had Coutinho locked on the Golden Ball had Brazil made it further in the tournament but even his efforts were not enough for Brazil.

From the first game, when he scored a vintage Coutinho stunner to the last when he provided a sublime assist to bring Brazil back in the game, he's been Brazil's star man.

Many expected someone else to be the star man for Brazil but he's changed career paths and is looking to Hollywood now.

Coutinho provided goals and assists when Brazil needed them most and was one of the sparks for Brazil through whom all attacks went through. Him and Godin are the only players who didn't make it to the semi-finals yet feature in the tournament but such was their impact that they have every right to be in the team.

Special Mention: Spain were knocked out early but Isco was the only spark in their lethargic play style and created almost everything on his own for Spain. He deserved to stay on longer in Russia but alas, it was not to be.

Other than him Kevin De Bruyne was also great for Belgium. He didn't play at the same level as he plays for his club, Manchester City but he showed glimpses of what he can do. His ability to lead the counter-attack is phenomenal and he still remains the best central attacking midfielder in the world.

His assist for Lukaku in the opening game against Panama was world class and despite a tricky start to the tournament for him, he excelled.

Antoine Griezzman played the CAM role for France and almost always ran the show. His set-piece deliveries were great and he showed great composure to score penalties in key moments.

Kylian Mbappe (RW)

France vs Croatia: Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup
A star in the making

Mbappe will be one of the great football players if he can keep his feet on the ground. He belongs to an elite, elusive club featuring only himself and Pele when it comes to teenagers scoring in a World Cup final.

He's got good finishing to accompany his lightning quick pace and is every left back's nightmare. Deployed on the right wing he was found by Pogba and Griezzman frequently and made match-winning impacts.

He's got one World Cup goal less than Messi and he's only 19. He is the next big thing and could possibly be the one to break the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly.

His performance against Argentina was one of the great performances in World Cup history and it was only fitting that he found the net in the final as well.

Special Mention: Ante Rebic for Croatia was a real hustler for Croatia and his grit was a real factor for the Croatians. He contributed with a goal as well and never really stopped running.

Eden Hazard (LW)

Belgium v France: Semi Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
He finished second in the Golden Ball voting and deservedly so

He finished second in the Golden Ball voting and deservedly so. He was one of the best players in the tournament and stepped it up in the knockout rounds playing big roles in the games against Japan and Brazil.

His performance against France was also brilliant and was one of the best individual performances of this World Cup.

There is no surprise Real Madrid are after him and the interest would have only increased after the World Cup.

Chelsea needs to hold on to him or else they could be in trouble. There were many outstanding performances from the left wing but Hazard was so good, he was miles ahead of the competition.

Special mention: As mentioned earlier, there were some outstanding performances from the left wing in this tournament.

Ivan Perisic came into his own and scored goals in the semi finals and in the final while playing a major role in the victory over the English.

Another great performer was the local boy and former Real Madrid reject, Denis Cheryshev. he scored four goals and my word, they were such wondrous goals.

He probably only scores stunners and even though he started the tournament on the bench, he rose to become a Russian hero.

Romelu Lukaku (ST)

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A complete striker with numerous qualities

Lukaku is one of the most hardworking players on the pitch and I am glad he had a successful tournament. He scored four goals and was incredible both on the ball and off the ball. He's got tall pace, power and intelligence.

The only thing he probably needs to work on is his first touch but other than that he is a complete striker.

His dummy for Chadli's winner against Japan showed his intelligence and vision and his assist for De Bruyne against Brazil was great as well.

He had a good first season at United and he's only going to go upward from here. Off the pitch, he was an absolute leader for Belgium and displays maturity beyond his years.

Special Mention: It would be a crime not to mention a man who scored six goals on this list. It doesn't matter how Kane got the goals, the fact is he scored six and won the Golden Boot. He didn't play well and wasn't involved much and honestly, he disappeared in big moments for England but his Golden boot gets him a feature on this list.

Cristiano Ronaldo provided possibly the moment of the tournament. That free kick will be spoken about for years and his four goals in just four games is no laughing matter. he may have just done enough to secure another Ballon d'Or.

That is my team of the FIFA World Cup 2018. Feel free to express your comments in the section below and tell me who else should have made it to the team of the tournament.

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Edited by Alan John