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

After 72 matches across three countries, the 48 teams that qualified for the 2026 World Cup have been whittled down to 32. Records have been broken by 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 selected their best teams, players, matches and moments from the group phase.

Best team

France

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.

Spain

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.

Argentina

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.

Brazil

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.

Best player

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.