LAUSANNE, December 31, 2018 - France Men’s Football Team was voted the Best Team of 2018 after an incredible FIFA World Cup campaign in Russia saw them hoist the prestigious trophy for a second time. Meanwhile the unique award for the Best Press Facility went to the facilities and personnel of the tournament itself (FIFA World Cup Russia 2018), which captured the attention of more than half the world between June 14 and July 15.
This is the result of a poll by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), where a panel of 359 journalists from 87 countries voted for the Champions of 2018.
The AIPS Best Male and Female Athletes of 2018 will be announced later in the day.
BEST TEAM OF 2018
In a tournament that saw series of shocking outcomes including the embarrassing ouster of defending champions Germany, France rather showcased sheer dominance en route to being crowned the new world champions.
They defeated first-time finalists Croatia 4-2 in a highly entertaining and action-packed final at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow on July 15, and by August they were on top of the world in the FIFA World Ranking for the first time since 2001.
It was a huge achievement especially for Didier Deschamps who became only the third man to win the World Cup as both player and coach. Deschamps was captain of the side that earned Les Bleus their first World Cup star back in 1998.
Twenty years later, Kylian Mbappe, who was not even born at the time, stole the show in Russia. Mbappe, who symbolizes the future of French football, was rewarded with the FIFA Young Player award for his huge contribution to the team’s success.
France were dominant in the Best Team poll, receiving a total of 889 votes, followed by the Croatia Men’s Football Team, who were the surprise package of the World Cup, with 585 votes, while Real Madrid CF, who were named the Best Team last year, had to settle for third place with 366 votes.
France Men's Football team – Football – 887 (27.84%)
Croatia Men's Football Team – Football – 572 (17.95%)
Real Madrid CF – Football – 360 (11.30%)
Poland Men's Volleyball Team - Volleyball – 315 (9.89%)
Ireland Men's Rugby Team – Rugby – 176 (5.52%
Serbia Women's Volleyball Team – Volleyball – 166 (5.21%)
Club Atlético de Madrid – Football – 157 (4.93%)
Golden State Warriors – Basketball – 146 (4.58%)
Spain Women's Team – Basketball – 143 (4.49%)
Germany Team Nordic Combined – Skiing – 119 (3.74%)
Montpellier Handball - 90 (2.82%)
FC Red Bull Salzburg - 55 (1.73%)
BEST PRESS FACILITY
The press facilities of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 have been adjudged the best of 2018 by the members of the international media, ahead of the facilities of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games and Wimbledon 2018.
The global showpiece, which held across 11 cities in Russia, was watched by a record 3,572 billion people and attracted 16,000 accredited journalists and photographers from around the world.
Conducive media centers and tribunes were provided for these journalists who also had access to free transportation, daily media updates published on the FIFA Media Channel, and other relevant documents that made their job easier during the one month-long coverage of an interestingly dramatic tournament.
But more importantly, the FIFA World Cup succeeded in changing people’s perception of Russia, including journalists.
The event received a total of 990 votes, followed by the press facilities of 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games with 708 and Wimbledon 2018 with 504 votes.
FIFA 2018 Russia World Cup – 974 (30.57%)
2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games – 703 (22.07%)
Wimbledon 2018 – 498 (15.63%)
European Championships Athletics – 455 (14.28%)
European Championships – 238 (7.47%)
World Cup Biathlon – 118 (3.70%)
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – 104 (3.26%)
Asian Games – 80 (2.51%)
Sudirman Cup Finals badminton - 16 (0.50%)
