From hat tricks to even more hat tricks, the superstars we’ve come to expect every day brilliance delivered in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, and then some.
But this tournament is also where new stars are born, and that was especially true in the first-ever group stage with 48 teams all competing for a spot in the knockout stage.
To commemorate a historic — and a just outright fun — group stage, here are my First and Second All-Group Stage starting lineups:
Goalkeeper
Unai Simón (Spain)
Three games, three clean sheets. Spain advanced from the group stage without conceding a single goal, and Unai Simón was a commanding presence between the posts, rarely being seriously tested.
Defenders
Hiroki Ito (Japan)
Played every minute against the Netherlands and Tunisia, leading Japan's defense while also serving as the team's primary ball-progressor with his line-breaking passes.
Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany)
Anchored Germany's defense during their explosive nine-goal start to the tournament. Although an ankle injury ended his campaign early, his group-stage performances were impossible to ignore.
Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)
The composed leader of Switzerland's back line, Akanji helped his side top the group by shutting down Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina after an opening draw with Qatar.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Morocco's captain was outstanding throughout the group stage, scoring once and providing an assist in the crucial 4-2 comeback win over Haiti while consistently threatening down the right flank.
Midfielders
Bruno Guimarães (Brazil)
Brazil's midfield orchestrator guided the Group C winners with his creativity, finishing the group stage by providing two assists in a 3-0 victory over Scotland.
Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal)
Senegal's standout performer, scoring three goals, including the finish that completed a must-win 5-0 victory over Iraq.
Declan Rice (England)
England's creative heartbeat, producing ten chances across the first two matches and controlling the tempo as the Three Lions comfortably won Group L before being rested against Panama.
Forwards
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Back-to-back braces against Senegal and Iraq gave Mbappé four group-stage goals, leading France to a perfect nine-point finish.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi scored all of Argentina's goals in the opening two matches—a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace versus Austria—while also becoming the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
Ousmane Dembélé (France)
The Ballon d'Or holder produced one of the tournament's standout performances with a blistering first-half hat-trick against Norway, finishing the group stage with four goals.
Best XI – Alternative Team
Goalkeeper
Vozinha (Cape Verde)
The 40-year-old veteran produced a Man of the Match display in a scoreless draw against Spain, helping Cape Verde reach the Round of 32 on their World Cup debut after three consecutive draws.
Defenders
Alex Freeman (United States)
One of the breakout stars of the group stage. His towering header secured a 2-0 win over Australia, helping the United States finish top of Group D.
Jan-Paul van Hecke (Netherlands)
Solid defensively and dangerous from set pieces, scoring against Tunisia as the Netherlands comfortably topped Group F.
Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
At just 19 years old, Cubarsí anchored a Spanish defense that did not concede a single goal throughout the group stage.
Daniel Muñoz (Colombia)
An attack-minded right-back who scored in consecutive victories over Uzbekistan and DR Congo, playing a key role in Colombia's unbeaten run through Group K.
Midfielders
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
The 20-year-old sensation came off the bench to score twice against Bosnia & Herzegovina before recording a goal and an assist on his first start against Canada. He finished as Switzerland's leading scorer with three goals despite beginning the tournament as a substitute.
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Scored in all three group-stage matches—against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti—becoming the first African player to score in every group game at a single World Cup.
Pedro Vite (Ecuador)
One of the tournament's best ball-winners, Vite inspired Ecuador's stunning 2-1 upset of Germany by creating both goals, including the winning assist.
Forwards
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
Scored in every group-stage match, totaling four goals, including a brace against Scotland, as Brazil comfortably finished top of Group C.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Announced himself on the World Cup stage with consecutive braces against Iraq and Senegal before being rested for Norway's final group match against France.
Deniz Undav (Germany)
Germany's ultimate super-sub, contributing five goal involvements (three goals and two assists) off the bench and repeatedly changing games in his team's favor.
