World Cup 2026: Best XI From Matchday 1 | OneFootball

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 Producer

VozinhaGoalkeeper | 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 Vozinha’s seven saves was bettered by two other goalkeepers on MD1, his 1.5 goals prevented – according to expected goals on target (xGOT) data – was the joint best of anyone to keep a clean sheet.

We also have to take into account his age (he’s the ninth-oldest player in World Cup history) and the historical significance of the result he helped clinch – there’s no way we could’ve left him out of this XI.

Amir Murillo Right-Back | Panama

Panama‘s 1-0 defeat to Ghana on Wednesday was largely a low-quality affair, but Amir Murillo put in a decent showing at right wing-back, showing plenty of adventure, purpose and fight.

Firstly, the Besiktas full-back was one of just three defenders on MD1 to create at least three chances from open play, with the first such instance seeing Cecilio Waterman almost open the scoring.

His 12 progressive carries (movements taking the ball at least five metres upfield) wasn’t bettered by any other right-sided full-backs or wing-backs, and he ranked behind just two players in that group for progressive carries measuring at least 10m.

He also proved himself to be a good competitor. Murillo contested 20 duels in total, the fourth most of all defenders on MD1, while also boasting a 70% success rate in duels, the joint-seventh best among defenders (10+ duels). And linked to that, only two players in the whole tournament improved on his six tackle attempts across the opening slate of games.

Pico Lopes Centre-Back | Cape Verde

It’s fair to say Dublin-born 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 Harry Souttar’s imperiousness at the back helped make it possible.

The Leicester City centre-back was the only member of the Socceroos’ starting XI with prior World Cup experience, and he certainly led by example with a colossal display.

He won three of his four aerial duels, three of his four ground duels and tallied 13 clearances against a Türkiye side whose 22 open-play crosses was the third-most of any side on MD1.

Souttar’s pace – despite standing at two metres tall – was also a notable factor in Australia’s defending.

Antonee RobinsonLeft-Back | USA

The United States were excellent in their 4-1 win over Paraguay, and a host of their players stood out, including Antonee Robinson.

The Fulham defender was a relentless presence up and down the US’s left-hand side, with his 20 carries the third most among all full-backs and wing-backs on MD1.

The only defender to tally more dribbles than him (5) was his teammate Sergiño Dest (8), and the fact only Weston McKennie (31) tallied more passes in the final third than Robinson (25) against Paraguay highlighted the latter’s positivity and influence from his wing-back berth.

He only created the one chance, but he was involved in 55 open-play sequences in total, third only to Marc Cucurella (59) and Ferdi Kadioglu (71) among left-sided defenders, both of whom played for teams on the wrong end of shock results.

Ayyoub BouaddiCentral Midfield | Morocco

Morocco’s 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 Weston McKennie in midfield.

The Juventus star took up an advanced position and was a constant threat with his off-ball runs, link-up play in the attacking half of the pitch, and his ability to carry the ball.

No one on the pitch got within five of his 31 passes in the final third, while his three chances created was only matched by the similarly eye-catching Malik Tillman.

McKennie was also one of just five players on MD1 to attempt more than two dribbles and complete 100% of them (3/3).

A player who has occasionally polarised opinion, there was no doubt about his quality against Paraguay.

Lionel MessiRight Wing | Argentina

Most probably thought Lionel Messi was done on this stage after guiding Argentina to success at Qatar 2022, but here we are in 2026 having now seen him score a World Cup hat-trick.

Messi was the difference in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, scoring all three goals in a nice and varied hat-trick that included two excellent finishes from outside the box and one smart tap-in.

That made him the oldest player – comfortably – to score a hat-trick at the men’s World Cup at 38 years, 357 days old, obliterating Cristiano Ronaldo’s record from when he netted three against Spain at the 2018 World Cup (33y, 130d). It also saw him move level with Miroslav Klose for joint most goals in World Cup history (16).

When it comes to justifying his inclusion in a best XI for MD1, need we say more?

Yan DiomandeLeft Wing | Ivory Coast

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 Erling Haaland – though it arguably should’ve been even more memorable.

He scored twice before half-time against Iraq; his first a classic poacher’s effort from a David Møller Wolfe cross, his second via a block from goalkeeper Jalal Hassan’s botched clearance.

Haaland perhaps ought to have scored a hat-trick, however. Released into the right side of the box in the second half, he could only shoot straight at Hassan with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Nevertheless, he became the first player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game for Norway, and his 1.85 expected goals was by far the most of anyone on MD1.

It’s a good start for those backing Norway as ‘dark horses’…

Kylian MbappéStriker | France

He would probably be the first to admit he had a quiet first half against Senegal, but Kylian Mbappé came to life in the second.

A clever finish from Michael Olise’s gorgeous defence-splitting pass put France ahead just after the hour, and he later sealed the 3-1 win in stoppage-time with a stunning long-range strike.

But otherwise, he was a frequent menace to the Senegal defence, tallying nine dribble attempts – second only to Jérémy Doku on MD1 – and he should have been awarded a penalty.

Mbappé’s brace saw him become France’s all-time leading goalscorer (59), and it keeps him within touching distance of Messi and Klose (16) for overall World Cup goals (14).

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