After the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, the press revealed the lineup it described as 'the most frustrating' of the tournament, including a group of prominent names who failed to perform at the expected level, whether due to declining performance, costly mistakes, or failing to deliver the impact their fans had anticipated.

According to ESPN, in goal, the choice fell on Uruguay's Fernando Muslera, who played in his fifth World Cup after coming out of international retirement earlier this year. However, the 40-year-old goalkeeper made three direct errors leading to goals, before being substituted by his coach at halftime in the final group stage match against Spain, in a tournament the network considered too big for him to handle.

In defense, Germany's Joshua Kimmich made the list after coach Julian Nagelsmann deployed him at right-back instead of his natural midfield position, a decision that did not achieve the desired success, as the German captain struggled throughout the tournament in a disappointing edition for the four-time world champions.

The lineup also included Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, after the Dutch conceded five goals in four matches and lacked their usual defensive solidity. The network felt that van Dijk bore part of the responsibility as team captain and defensive organizer, in addition to his refusal to take a penalty during the exit against Morocco, when younger players stepped up to take responsibility.

Joshua Kimmich during the match between Germany and Paraguay in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup (EPA)

The list also featured England's Marc Guehi, who had been steady until the semi-final against Argentina, where he appeared hesitant in dealing with balls, held onto possession too long, and performed far below the expected level for a player of his caliber, in a match where England needed his best.

As for England's Nico O'Reilly, he failed to adapt to the full-back position throughout the tournament, despite playing that role in some matches for Manchester City. The network noted that his natural position is in midfield, and his versatility worked against him, as opponents exploited his weaknesses in that position.

In midfield, Federico Valverde was selected after Uruguay's disappointing campaign, as the team exited the tournament amid tension and disputes between coach Marcelo Bielsa and several players. The network considered the Real Madrid player one of the biggest failures in leading his team, having failed to inspire the team to advance from a group that was not among the toughest, finishing behind Spain.

The list also included Scotland's Scott McTominay, who entered the tournament with high expectations after helping his country qualify with a brilliant bicycle kick goal against Denmark in the qualifiers. But the Napoli player failed to replicate his form in Italy at the World Cup, delivering three matches described as lackluster and ineffective.

Portugal's Bruno Fernandes also made the lineup, after a standout season with Manchester United, but he again failed to transfer his club form to the national team. The network noted that Portugal's heavy reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo may have limited his impact, but that does not change the fact that he had a mediocre tournament.

In attack, Germany's Florian Wirtz was chosen, after debate returned about his technical value following an unconvincing first season with Liverpool, and then his impact completely disappeared with the German national team in the World Cup. The network believes that the 23-year-old player must now prove he is worth his hefty transfer fee of £116.5 million.

Spain's Rodri facing Portugal's Bruno Fernandes during the round of 16 match (EPA)

The lineup also included American Christian Pulisic, who started the tournament brilliantly in the first half of the opening match against Paraguay, before leaving injured at halftime. Despite returning later, he could not regain his form, and his impact completely disappeared in the matches where the US team needed its captain.

The lineup concluded with Brazil's Neymar, as the network considered his call-up to the tournament an unwise decision by coach Carlo Ancelotti, given his ongoing injury struggles. Neymar played only 37 minutes throughout the tournament, while his presence in the squad deprived Chelsea striker João Pedro, who is younger, fitter, and more in form recently, considering his selection a mistake on all levels.