With all Matchday 1 fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the bag, we reflect on the opening round of games by picking an XI of the players who most impressed.
We have now seen every team in action at the 2026 World Cup following the final games of Matchday 1.
There’s not much time now before MD2 begins with Czechia vs South Africa, but there’s just enough to look back on the action so far and pinpoint players who’ve caught the eye.
Here’s our MD1 best XI…
Jordan Collins / Multimedia ProducerVozinhaGoalkeeper | Cape Verde
This was an easy selection.
Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper was a revelation against Spain, playing a hugely decisive role in one of the World Cup’s biggest shocks ever, as the pre-tournament favourites were held to a 0-0 draw.
Although Roberto Lopes – or Pico Lopes, as he’s more commonly known – didn’t arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a particularly recognisable figure, but he quickly changed that against Spain.
Like Vozinha, Lopes was a titan at the back for Cape Verde as they remarkably held La Roja.
Time and time again, the 34-year-old was there to end moments of danger as Spain desperately tried – and failed – to avoid an embarrassing result.
Lopes made 11 clearances in total, the sixth most of any player at the tournament – though, as with Vozinha, the significance of the result he aided must give him the edge over other rivals.
Harry SouttarCentre-Back | Australia
Australia’s 2-0 win over Türkiye wasn’t quite the same level of shock as Cape Verde’s draw with Spain, but it was still a surprise, and Ayyoub Bouaddi was arguably the standout young player across all MD1 games, with the Lille talent running the midfield against Brazil in a 1-1 draw.
The only players on the pitch who had more than his 87 touches were Brazil’s two centre-backs, which both reflects his influence and how little control Carlo Ancelotti’s men had in advanced areas.
Furthermore, Bouaddi also completed 60 of his 66 passes (90.7%), making him the second-youngest (18 years, 254 days) player to complete 50+ in a World Cup match since at least 1966, proving himself a reliable and tidy facilitator in deep areas despite his tender age.
But beyond passing, he was also happy to carry the ball and attempt to beat his man.
Only one of his teammates (Azzedine Ounahi – 8) bettered his five dribble attempts, and among nominal defensive, central and attacking midfielders, just three recorded more carries that progressed the ball at least 10m upfield (6).
Weston McKennieCentral Midfield | United States
Another of the USA’s standout figures against Paraguay was Yan Diomande came into the 2026 World Cup with considerable expectation on his shoulders, but he showed few signs of being overawed in Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador.
He finished the game having created five chances in all, a figure no one else at the tournament has bettered yet; his seven dribble attempts sees him rank joint seventh; only four non-defenders can better his 28 total carries and total carry distance (316m); and he ranks joint fourth among non-defenders for progressive carries (15).
He ran Piero Hincapié ragged in the first half, and although he was a little quieter from the left, he occupies the left flank rather than the right in our team because, well, Messi.
Erling HaalandStriker | Norway
It was a World Cup debut to remember for
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