Best team, moments, matches and players of World Cup group stage

After 72 matches across three countries, 48 teams who qualified for the 2026 World Cup have been whittled down to 32.

Records have been broken by some of the star players who have delivered on football's biggest stage, while new heroes have emerged.

A group of BBC reporters in the United States, Canada and Mexico have picked their best teams, players, matches and moments from the group phase.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

France. I've seen all of their group games and they've made it three wins from three for the first time since they won the World Cup in 1998. They're still not perfect, so room to improve as they get stronger under a manager who has the experience to draw on, as Didier Deschamps seeks a third successive World Cup final.

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport's chief football writer

France. Just looking at their attack with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele and what it can do when it clicks - and the strength of Didier Deschamps' squad as a whole - makes me think they will be very difficult to stop. There are other strong contenders, but they are the most dangerous team in the tournament.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

After a sloppy start against Senegal, France exploded into life when Michael Olise was moved into the number 10 position. Their front four is frightening (with Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola), Kylian Mbappe's the happiest I have ever seen him at a major tournament, William Saliba is one of the best defenders at the tournament, unsung Adrien Rabiot links things brilliantly and there is also so much strength in depth. I saw them live twice, in New Jersey and Philadelphia, and I would be stunned if they do not make it to the final.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter

France look like they are going to take some stopping. They have the best front three of the tournament and their strength in depth means that they can rotate as the tournament goes on. Kylian Mbappe is already firing and now he's up and running he will be hard to stop.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

I said Spain from the start and I'm going to stick with them. We still haven't seen them hit top gear and we know they have far more potential to show, especially with key players Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams coming back from injury. This is a long tournament and their momentum will build. They could face France in the semi-final, which would be a huge test, but if they can come through that I think they can go all the way.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

Lionel Messi is grabbing the headlines and rightly so with his six goals from three games so far at this World Cup, but it would be unfair to say Argentina are all about him and him alone.

Often a collection of brilliant individuals, this Argentina side looks more like an array of brilliant individuals who are playing as a team, and the result of that has been three wins, no goals conceded and five scored.

They have hit the ground running at this World Cup and look like they will take some stopping.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

I've seen both France and Brazil in the group stage and right now, if I was to pick one over the other, I'd opt for Les Bleus. They have hit the ground running, with Kylian Mbappe in impeccable form and Michael Olise at his teasing best.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

Lionel Messi. The evergreen 39-year-old remains a joy to watch with his skill, awareness and intelligence and he keeps producing on the biggest stage. A footballing genius.

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport's chief football writer

Lionel Messi. Ageless genius but this is also the World Cup where the big names such as Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo have come to make their mark. A superb tournament so far.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

Having followed France here in the USA, my obvious pick would be Kylian Mbappe but I am actually selecting a player who I could not stop watching during the first game I attended in New Jersey - Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi. I kept having to double check his age because his movement, decision-making and passing ability was incredible for an 18-year-old. I turned to a BBC colleague at one stage during the Brazil game and said: "This guy reminds me of Patrick Vieira." There can be no higher praise than that.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter

Michael Olise has gone to another level this season and is showing his ability in this World Cup. He's playing in a top quality French side and looks like he could have a huge impact on the tournament.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Lionel Messi. Six goals in three World Cup games and looking as sharp as ever. His humility with press off the pitch is equally as admirable, while on the pitch he has an aura that few sportspeople in history have possessed. Every time he plays, it feels like you're watching something special.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

Maybe it would have been easy to go with a goalscorer here, particularly with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland doing what they do best at this tournament.

But my vote at this stage goes to Michael Olise, who has played a pivotal role in France's wins so far. He produced a player-of-the-match performance in Les Bleus' opening 3-1 win against Senegal, before providing two assists in the 3-0 defeat of Iraq.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Haaland… they've all turned up and they're a joy to watch. Kylian Mbappe has had to watch his former club Paris St-Germain win back-to-back Champions Leagues since he left for Real Madrid (to win more trophies!). But he looks determined to lead France to a third world title - and second in three editions.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

Ecuador 2-1 Germany. The first group stage game with a real sense of jeopardy. It was win or bust for Ecuador and they responded as they played with adventure while their fans created a superb atmosphere. Bold and brave as they came from behind. Manic defending at the end but the chaos added to the drama as they clinched a place in the knockout stages.

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport's chief football writer

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde. Cape Verde have provided one of the stories of this World Cup so far and this match was a classic as they took the lead, fell behind, then drew level. Football can sometimes be clean and clinical. Cape Verde have played with quality, emotion and defiance.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde. This was not a game I saw live from the stadium, but watching on from afar on TV it brought back great memories of covering this very likeable team in their journey to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and 2023. From Kevin Pina making history with Cape Verde's first World Cup goal with that long range free-kick, to the side's fightback from 2-1 down and then the chaos of the final stages when both teams had chances to win it. To add to the fun, the cameras kept picking out Luis Suarez in the crowd going through all the possible emotions and looking like he was desperate for this experience to end. More Cape Verde chaos, please.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter

England 4-2 Croatia. England's second-half performance against Croatia was really exciting and showed how the Three Lions could play when they're at their best. They haven't replicated it yet, but that showing proves they could be a threat in this tournament. They produced free-flowing attacking football and it was arguably the best 45 minutes of this tournament.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Argentina 3-0 Algeria. Set against a stunning Kansas sunset, Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick, equalled the all-time World Cup goals record with his 16th, and proved once again that he is one of the greatest players of all time. Argentina's fans started the party long before kick-off and the atmosphere in the stadium was phenomenal as everyone realised they were witnessing history.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

Netherlands 2-2 Japan. There have been a lot of draws at this tournament but that doesn't mean they've all been dull stalemates, and the match I've most enjoyed so far was the Netherlands' draw with Japan. The game saw Japan twice hit back before scoring a dramatic last-minute winner.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

England 4-2 Croatia. I watched the match in a sports bar in Philadelphia and the goals were flying in. There were a good number of Brazil fans in the bar and even they were applauding some of the finishing by the Three Lions.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

Cape Verde surprising Spain on their World Cup debut and the subsequent reaction of their goalkeeper Vozinha. His emotions post-match after his sparkling display of seven saves was so touching - and what a moment for the entire nation. A reminder not all heroes wear capes… sometimes its a yellow jersey.

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport's chief football writer

Ecuador's fans and players celebrating their dramatic comeback to beat Germany and qualify for the last 32. The atmosphere inside the New York New Jersey Stadium was electric and the scenes after will live long in the memory for those of us lucky enough to have been there.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

A goal and also a celebration. When Portugal scored early against DR Congo everyone expected them to win convincingly, but Sebastien Desabre's side had other ideas. Yoane Wissa equalised with a great header just before half-time, scoring their first ever World Cup goal. Then to make the moment even more special, he ran to the halfway line where he seemed to be met by the entire substitutes' bench, as well as all the on-field players, and they launched into a choreographed dance they have made famous at Afcons called the 'fimbu'. The crowd loved it, apart from the Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo fans, that is. Not bad for DR Congo's first game at a World Cup for 52 years.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter

It's hard to look past Lionel Messi's hat-trick as Argentina began the defence of their World Cup crown. Messi is 39 now but, with the team built around him, he was able to score the first hat-trick of the World Cup.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Not many people would have imagined that Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha, would become the hero of his country's World Cup debut against Spain. His performance, which was backed by incredible support from the fans, turned Cape Verde into everyone's second team. It's the kind of underdog story that makes the World Cup so special, and now they've topped it off by reaching the knockout stages.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

There are others, I am sure, but I want to focus on one that I saw in person and that was the USA beating Australia. Outside the United States it might not have seemed like a match that might possess the best moment, but to hear how loud the USA fans got behind their team from start to finish - belting out a tremendously loud rendition of Country Roads at full-time, it was a moment that made you realise that the football fans in this country are fully into this tournament and well behind their national team, despite suggestions otherwise before the World Cup began.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

Watching some of the youngest players at this tournament step up and deliver for their country. Ibrahim Mbaye, aged 18 years and 143 days, became the fourth youngest goalscorer in World Cup history when he scored for Senegal against France, but watching Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, 20, play - and score - has been a delight. And with a smile on his face.