The 2026 World Cup group stage is in the books, and while a few big names lived up to the hype, some surprises came from places nobody expected. Here is the best XI from the first three games, based on actual stats and not just reputation.
The Old Guard and the New
Lionel Messi is the only player in the tournament to score in all three group matches. He leads both the goals chart and the goal involvements list. At 39, he’s still the best player in the competition so far. Kylian Mbappe is right there with him — only Messi has more goals, but Mbappe is tied for the most goal involvements. Their one-two punch is getting scary for whoever draws France or Argentina in the knockout rounds.
Erling Haaland bagged four goals in just two appearances for Norway. That included a brace against Brazil that went viral. Only Austria’s Marko Arnautovic posted a higher expected goals per 90 minutes, but Haaland got it done on the biggest stage. The Manchester City striker is making his first World Cup look easy.
Breakout Stars and Unsung Heroes
Canada’s Nathan Saliba is having a coming-out party. The Anderlecht midfielder registered three goal involvements and has been one of the most dangerous players in the tournament so far. Ecuador’s Pedro Vite outplayed Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo in midfield — not many people saw that coming. Vite leads all central midfielders in total challenges won (30) and duels won overall. He also created eight chances.
Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi only started once but still managed four goal contributions. The Freiburg youngster ranks second in goals per 90 minutes among all players. Nobody had him on their radar before this tournament started.
Defensive Rock and a Historic Keeper
Virgil van Dijk is playing like he’s back in his prime. The Liverpool center-back has won 72 percent of his ground duels and 79 percent of his aerial duels, plus he has two goal involvements. England’s Marc Guehi has been even better in some ways — 84 percent ground duels won and 88 percent in the air, with a 97 percent pass completion rate. That back line is looking solid for England.
But the biggest story might be in goal. Cape Verde’s Vozinha is 40 years old and just made his World Cup debut. He is the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut, and he’s done it twice so far. He has prevented 1.4 goals above expected — the second-best mark in the tournament. Without him, Cape Verde’s fairytale run probably doesn’t happen.
Fullbacks Doing Work
Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi has been a force on the right side, with a goal and an assist. The Atlas Lions finished level on points with Brazil in Group C, and Hakimi was a big reason why. On the left, Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has been all energy for the USMNT. He created two chances, won 59 percent of his ground duels and 60 percent in the air. Not flashy numbers, but the drive is there.
Stats from sofascore.com and fotmob.com. The knockout rounds start this week.
Leave a Comment