The FIFA World Cup Dream Team is an all-time FIFA World Cup all-star team published by FIFA in 2002 after conducting an internet poll of fans to select a World Cup dream team. It was announced on 18 June 2002 during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Background After publishing the World Team of the 20th Century including the continental selections just before the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, FIFA decided to release an XI about the best players featured in a World Cup from 1930 until 2002. It was the second time that FIFA organized an Internet poll after the FIFA Player of the Century poll in 2000. The result of the XI would be announced during the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.
Poll More than one-and-a-half million fans worldwide voted in the poll, conducted by the official FIFA website, www.FIFAworldcup.com, with Diego Maradona of Argentina receiving 111,035 the most votes of every player. Brazil's Pelé, who played for three World Cup-winning teams, won 107,539 votes, 1974 World Cup Champion with West Germany Franz Beckenbauer received 81,442 and Zinedine Zidane who scored twice for France in their 1998 triumph, came in fourth with 80,527. It was the second time in two years that Maradona would beat Pele in an internet worldwide poll.Maradona beats Pele and Beckenbauer in poll to decide the all-time greatest team (2002) - independent.co.ukPele 'freezing me out' of FIFA says Maradona -timesofmalta.com
Top 5 by votes Rank Player Nationality Votes 1 Diego Maradona 111,035 2 Pelé 107,539 3 Franz Beckenbauer 81,442 4 Zinedine Zidane 80,527 5 Paolo Maldini 58,523
FIFA Goal of the century Diego Maradona's second goal against England in their 1986 quarter-final was also voted the FIFA goal of the century.Maradona lands in Tokyo - BBC
Selection It is an eleven-member side divided as one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards (3–4–3 formation). The XI includes three defenders with left-back Paolo Maldini chosen as a right back.
PlayerCareer playing positionNational side(s)Years representedVotesLev YashinGoalkeeper1958, 1962, 1966, 1970 24,587Paolo MaldiniLeft-back and central defender1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 58,523Franz BeckenbauerCentral defender1966, 1970, 197481,442Roberto CarlosLeft-back defender1998, 2002, 200658,200Roberto BaggioSecond striker, or as an attacking midfielder1990, 1994, 199855,625Zinedine ZidaneAttacking midfielder1998, 2002, 200680,527Michel PlatiniAdvanced midfield playmaker1978, 1982, 198653,783Diego MaradonaAttacking midfielder or as a second striker1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 111,035 RomárioStriker1990, 199429,480Johan CruyffForward or attacking midfielder197453,645PeléForward or attacking midfielder1958, 1962, 1966, 1970107,539
See also FIFA 100 FIFA World Cup awards World Team of the 20th Century
References