Best 11 for World Cup 2026 Group Round: Mbappe, Messi lead — FOX Sports Premier Team Picks
FOX Sports has released a 'Main 11' to commemorate the historic group stage featuring 48 teams. Mbappe, Messi, Hakimi, Declan Rice and others made the list due to their influence.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage saw both superstars and newcomers enthrall the audience. To commemorate the group stage of this historic edition where 48 teams competed, FOX Sports has announced its 'Main 11' squad selection. Players on that list and their impact:
Goal keeper
- Unai Simeone (Spain): Three clean sheets in three matches. Spain kept the team ahead without conceding a single goal; It can be said that he doesn't have to sweat much on the field.
Security
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Hiroki Ito (Japan): Led the full 90 minutes in two tough matches, Netherlands and Tunisia. Line-breaking passes in the build-up phase were the mainstay that pushed Japan to the knockout rounds.
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Nico Schlatterbeck (Germany): Captained Germany's nine-goal run. Although his journey ended in the group stage due to an ankle injury, his semi-group stage dominance kept him out of the selection.
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Manuel Akanji (Switzerland): Calm leadership, ball handling skills—a combination that propelled Switzerland to group victory. After the draw with Qatar, Canada prevented surprise attacks in the games against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Ashraf Hakimi (Morocco): Right back and team captain. One goal, one assist in 4-2 comeback win over Heidi; A key role for Morocco to add a total of seven points.
Central
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Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil): Percussionist for Group C champions Brazil. Two key assists in a 3-0 win over Scotland; The whole team controlled the game all around.
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Ismaila Charr (Senegal): Senegal's shining light. Three goals; In particular he finished the day with a final push in a 'much needed' 5-0 win over Iraq.
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Declan Rice (England): England's most creative midfielder. Created ten goal chances in the first two games; He was rested in the match against Panama.
terminal attack
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Kylian Mbappe (France): Back-to-back doubles against Senegal, Iraq—four goals so far. France topped their group 'clean' with nine points.
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Lionel Messi (Argentina): All of Argentina's goals in the opening two matches came from Messi—a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria. With this, he became the highest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.
Thus, the 'Main 11' list published by FOX Sports balances the three elements of control, creativity and decision-making skills that emerged in the group stage.
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