2026 FIFA World Cup group stage best XI: Messi, Mbappe and Haaland make their mark
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage ended in the early hours of Sunday, with several players making their mark.
Read on as we look at the best XI of the tournament so far.
Vozinha (Cabo Verde): The 40-year-old has played a vital role in Cape Verde’s fairytale run so far. Heis the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut.
Overall, he has kept two clean sheets and prevented 1.4 goals — the second-highest in the tournament.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): The Moroccan right-back has registered one goal and one assist, helping the Atlas Lions finish level on points with record champions Brazil in Group C.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands): The Liverpool skipper has looked assured, winning 72 percent of his ground duels and 79% of his aerial duels. He also has two goal involvements.
Marc Guehi (England): He has impressed, winning 84 percent of his ground duels and 88% of his aerial duels. He has also completed 97 percent of his passes and created one chance.
Antonee Robinson (USA): The Fulham left-back has been full of energy and drive. He has created two chances, won 59 percent of his ground duels and 60% of his aerial duels.
Pedro Vite (Ecuador): The 24-year-old has outshone Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo in Ecuador’s midfield.
No central midfielder has won more total challenges (30) or more duels than Vite in the tournament. He has also created eight chances.
Nathan Saliba (Canada): The Anderlecht midfielder has been one of the breakout stars in the competition. He has registered three goal involvements.
Kylian Mbappe (France): Only Lionel Messi has outscored the Real Madrid star, but he is joint-top with the Argentine captain for goal involvements.
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland): The Freiburg youngster has been electric, registering four goal contributions despite making just one start. He ranks second for goals per 90.
Erling Haaland (Norway): The Manchester City forward has bagged four goals in two games. Only Austria’s Marko Arnautovic has registered a higher xG per 90.
Lionel Messi (Argentina): He is the only player to score in the opening three games and sits atop the goalscorers’ and goal involvements chart. Arguably, the tournament’s best player so far.
Stats from sofascore.com & fotmob.com
