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:
JUMP TO: First-Team Group Stage XI | Second-Team Group Stage XI
Goalkeeper · Spain
Three games, three clean sheets — Spain marched out of its Group without conceding a single goal, and the star keeper barely had to break a sweat doing it.
Defender · Japan
Led Japan’s back line for the full 90 minutes against the Netherlands and Tunisia and doubled as the build-up engine, leading the Samurai Blue in line-breaking passes on the way to the knockouts.
Defender · Germany
He anchored the defense of Germany’s nine-goal flying start before an ankle injury ended his tournament—a half of group stage dominance too good to leave out.
Defender · Switzerland
The calm, ball-playing head at the heart of the defense that won Switzerland’s group as he helped stymie Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina following a steady opening draw with Qatar.
Defender · Morocco
The right-back and Atlas Lions captain scored a goal and helped set one up in the 4-2 comeback over Haiti in a pivotal performance, and coming down the flank all tournament as Morocco banked seven points.
Midfielder · Brazil
The midfield maestro pulled the strings for Group C winners Brazil and saved his best for last, laying on two assists in the 3-0 win of Scotland.
Midfielder · Senegal
Senegal’s brightest spark with three goals, including the tap-in that sealed the day in a must-win 5-0 performance over Iraq.
Midfielder · England
England’s most creative player—ten chances created in the Three Lions’ first two games—the metronome of Group L winners England before earning a breather against Panama.
Forward · France
With back-to-back braces against Senegal and Iraq — four goals so far — the Real Madrid man spearheaded France’s perfect nine-point sweep of its group.
Forward · Argentina
Messi scored every single one of Argentina’s goals in the opening two matches—a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria. Oh, and he became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
Forward · France
The PSG star reminded everyone he’s the reigning Ballon d’Or winner with a stunning video game-esque first-half hat-trick against Norway, one of the fastest in World Cup history, totaling four goals in the group.
