The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has been completed, and as we head into the knockout rounds, it’s time to reflect on the last fortnight. Here are our World Cup group stage awards.
Best Moment
A 48-team World Cup has given more nations than ever the chance to take to the world stage, with new faces and remarkable tales.
Cape Verde delivered arguably the moment of the group stage, after holding European champions Spain in their opening fixture. The hero for the debutants was 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, a player who did not turn professional until the age of 25, and has just been released by Portuguese second-tier side Deportivo Chaves.
At the full-time whistle, cameras panned to Vozinha, who was in tears as the magnitude of the result sank in. It turned him into a viral sensation, with his social media following rocketing into the millions. A once-in-a-lifetime performance on the big stage, which helped Cape Verde progress to the knockouts on their World Cup debut.
Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha now has more Instagram followers than any active NFL, MLB and NHL players 📈
He’ll now face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup knockout stage… Imagine if he keeps a clean sheet 👀 pic.twitter.com/t3KEXW31Eg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 27, 2026
“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents,” he reflected.
“Unfortunately, they were not here. They died a few years ago. They were everything for me, everything for my life.
“And also because of my mum. She didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money you have to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage on time. I would like her to be here.”
Best Player
It has to be him, doesn’t it?
Just the six goals in two-and-a-bit games for Lionel Messi who, at 39 years young, is showing the world once again his greatness.
Miroslav Klose’s goal record has been left in his wake, with Messi hitting a hat-trick against Algeria, two more against Austria, and another off the bench against Jordan. He’s the first man in history to score in seven straight World Cup games, as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner chases a second straight tournament.
7 – Lionel Messi is the first player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances (last 4 in 2022, first 3 in 2026).
Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/RtmZ0di7wS
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) June 28, 2026
Best Game
For sheer entertainment and drama, it’s tough to look past Algeria against Austria. A see-sawing final group game with jeopardy for both sides and a chaotic conclusion that ultimately suited both.
Algeria twice came from behind to equalise, but kept on pushing for a winner despite a draw being enough for both teams to progress. Riyad Mahrez fired Algeria ahead for the first time in stoppage time, a goal that looked set to dump Austria out.
But Austria were not done yet. Three minutes later, Saša Kalajdžic headed home a 96th-minute leveller, sparking wild celebrations as Austria rescued their tournament and dumped out Iran in the process.
It’s the first time in World Cup history that a team has fallen behind in the 90th minute or later and still avoided defeat.
Best Team
Most considered Group I to be one of the toughest pools on paper, but France have made a mockery of that. Les Bleus beat Senegal in convincing fashion in their first fixture, before blitzing Iraq. An admittedly second-string Norway were swept aside in their third game, as France progressed with a 100% record and 10 goals scored.
Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, and Ousmane Dembele are a frontline that looks almost impossible to contain, with Mbappe and Dembele scoring four goals each, and Olise assisting three.
3 – 🇫🇷 Ousmane Dembélé’s hat-trick just 32 minutes into today’s game is the second earliest a player has scored a FIFA World Cup hat-trick in a match, behind Erich Probst in 1954 for Austria against Czechoslovakia (24 minutes).
Rapid. pic.twitter.com/AV2axSte2F
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 26, 2026
Biggest Disappointment
Turkey have a habit of convincing pre-tournament predictors of their ‘dark horse’ credentials, only to disappoint when the spotlight is on.
A team containing Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, among others, should have performed far better in what was a modest group. Turkey faced the USA, Australia, and Paraguay, but head home after finishing bottom of the group.
Best Goal
Bayer Leverkusen will be delighted to have wrapped up the signing of Kerim Alajbegović before the tournament, with the Bosnian teenager’s price tag potentially on the rise.
The teenager thumped home a stunning opener as Bosnia beat Qatar, capping a mazy run with a blast from distance.
At 18 years and 276 days old, the goal made Alajbegović the youngest player to score from outside the penalty area at a World Cup since the data was first collected in 1966
Goal of the tournament contender? 💫
Kerim Alajbegović fires Bosnia into the lead with this absolute beauty… pic.twitter.com/bv6mmbbIqK
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 24, 2026
Read – Steve Clarke resigns as Scotland manager after World Cup exit
See more – World Cup Day 17: DR Congo progress, Messi scores again
