Who Made the FIFA Club World Cup Team?

People always ask this after the Club World Cup, and I get why. The tournament is short, intense, and weird in a good way. Different styles. Different leagues. One bad game and you’re out. So when someone says “Team of the Tournament,” it usually means these players didn’t just have one good night. They showed up again and again.

First thing to say. Chelsea ran the show. That’s not opinion. That’s just what happened. They were the best team, most organised, most dangerous when it mattered. So yeah, they dominate the team. That’s how these things work.

Now, the goalkeeper spot went to Yassine Bounou from Al-Hilal. And honestly, that makes total sense. Even if you don’t remember every save, you remember the feeling that Al-Hilal stayed in games longer than expected. That was mostly him. Calm. Quick reactions. Didn’t panic. Goalkeepers like that always stand out in short tournaments.

At the back, Achraf Hakimi was in. No surprise. He’s one of those players who looks busy even when nothing much is happening. Always running. Always offering an option. Defenders hate dealing with that kind of energy over multiple matches.

Then there’s Thiago Silva. People keep waiting for him to slow down, and he just doesn’t. He doesn’t need pace anymore. He reads the game early, steps in at the right moment, and talks constantly. You could see younger players around him playing with more confidence because of that.

Cucurella of Chelsea also got in the list. Not for doing something astounding. But for not making mistakes. It seems easy, but in such a big competition it is a major factor. He was doing his job all through the tournament. No fuss, no problems. In the center of the field was the place where Chelsea exhibited full command over the game. Enzo Fernández would not stop moving but would not look bothered at all. A player who was always there to receive the ball and at the same time helping others by making their next passes easier. Those players don’t always get praise from casual fans, but coaches love them.

Vitinha from PSG also got in, and deservedly so. When PSG looked organised, he was usually the reason. Kept things ticking. Didn’t hide when things got difficult. That counts.

Up front, the conversation starts and ends with Cole Palmer. Best player of the tournament. No debate. He scored when it mattered. Assisted when it mattered. Final included. If you only watched highlights, you still saw him. If you watched full matches, you understood why he stood out even more.

Pedro Neto was another Chelsea pick, and again, it’s about impact. Direct running. Speed. Defenders never settled against him. Even when he didn’t score, he created problems.

And then there’s Jhon Arias from Fluminense. I liked this inclusion. He worked. He didn’t disappear against stronger teams. Kept trying things. In a competition where some players shrink, he didn’t.

That’s basically it.

The Team of the Tournament isn’t about perfection. It’s about who handled the pressure, who stayed consistent, and who looked like they belonged on that stage.

Chelsea had most of those players. Others forced their way in.

And that’s why this team looks the way it does.