footballspectator

We published our team of the tournament for games up to the round of sixteen a couple of weeks ago. Now FIFA’s Technical Committee have published theirs, only that rather than select 11 players, they have selected a full World Cup squad compliment of 23. As expected the squad is dominated by the semi-finalists, France (4 players) Germany (4 players), Portugal (4 players) and Italy (7 players).

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Italy), Lehmann (Germany) Ricardo (Portugal)

Defenders: Ayala (Argentina), Terry (England), Thuram (France), Lahm (Germany), Cannavaro (Italy), Zambrotta (Italy), Carvalho (Portugal)

Midfielders: Ze Roberto (Brazil), Vieira (France), Zidane (France), Ballack (Germany), Pirlo (Italy), Maniche (Portugal), Figo (Portugal), Gattuso (Italy)

Forwards: Crespo (Argentina), Klose (Germany), Totti (Italy), Toni (Italy), Henry (France)

In our view there are some surprising omissions: Maxi Rodriguez of Argentina, Ricardo Osorio of Mexico and Lukas Podolski of Germany, who was voted Young Player of tournament. They are more worthy of inclusion than Maniche, Terry and Crespo.