World Cup 2026 Team of the Group Stage

GK: VOZINHA (CAPE VERDE) - Vozinha was integral to Cape Verde getting their draw against Spain by pulling off a number of crucial saves to keep the European champions at bay. He would go on to make more crucial saves for the rest of the group stage and keep another clean sheet against Saudi Arabia to send the small nation into the knockout stages.

RB: DANIEL MUNOZ (COLOMBIA) - Munoz scored twice during the group stages and ran up and down the right touchline throughout. He always offered a threat going forward with his pace and ability to get crosses into the box and always got back to help his team out defensively.

CB: PAU CUBARSI (SPAIN) - Cubarsi has been one of the standout young players at this World Cup so far by putting in solid performances at the back. Spain went the entire group stage without conceding a goal and Cubarsi was an important part of that with his performances in defence.

CB: VIRGIL VAN DIJK (HOLLAND) - Van Dijk was effective in both boxes during the group stages as he scored the opening game against Japan in Holland's opening game at one end and made some vital defensive interventions at the other. His solid displays at the back played a key role in Holland finishing top of their group.

LB: NUNO MENDES (PORTUGAL) - Not many left backs have been outstanding at this World Cup but if there was one who performed close to that, it was Mendes. He ran up and down the left hand side throughout the group stages with his energy and pace and he also scored a brilliant free kick against Uzbekistan.

CDM: JUDE BELLINGHAM (ENGLAND) - Bellingham impressed in every game for England during the group including their drab performance against Ghana, where he was the only player willing to make something happen. He registered 2 goals and an assist during the group stage as England topped their group and has shown why he deserves to start.

CDM: BRUNO GUIMARAES (BRAZIL) - Guimaraes has been one of Brazil's standout performers at this World Cup as he registered 3 assists during the group stages. His ability to create from deep was key to Brazil winning the group and he'll need to keep it up if they're to reach the later stages.

RW: LIONEL MESSI (ARGENTINA) - Messi has easily been the player of the tournament so far as he currently sits on top of the goal charts with 6 goals and is still producing moment of brilliance. He became the all-time World Cup record goal scorer when he scored his first against Austria and is still as good as he always has been at the age of 39.

CAM: MICHAEL OLISE (FRANCE) - Olise was one of the players to watch out for heading into this tournament and he's only gone and delivered. He registered 3 assists during the group stages which is the joint highest at this tournament and he's only going to bag more because of the quality of players he's playing with.

LW: VINICIUS JUNIOR (BRAZIL) - Vinicius hasn't always delivered for Brazil in major tournaments but in this one he has silenced his critics by scoring 4 goals. He's stepped up as Brazil's new talisman with the goals he's scored and if he can keep up the form he's been in, Brazil could go far.

ST: KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRANCE) - Mbappe has got his World Cup off to a flying start by scoring 4 goals with all of them being part of doubles he scored against Senegal and Jordan. He became France's all-time record goal scorer with his two goals against Senegal and if he keeps up the brilliant form he's in, France could go all the way and he could bag another golden boot.