FIFA World Cup 2026: Vote for Best Group Stage Goal

FIFA has unveiled a shortlist of 12 goals from the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, inviting fans to vote for their favorite. A record 215 goals were scored across the 72 group matches, and the selection includes strikes from established stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, as well as debutants such as Kevin Pina of Cabo Verde and Wilson Isidor of Haiti.

Voting Process

This is the first step in determining the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament. The initial voting window lasts 48 hours, after which the winning goal will be announced. Four subsequent votes will follow the same process after the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals (combined), and a final vote at the end of the tournament.

The 12 Shortlisted Goals

Giovanni Reyna (USA) vs Paraguay – Group D, 12 June

Reyna used the outside of his right foot to curl a beautiful strike into the far corner from the right side of the penalty box, sealing an emphatic 4-1 opening win for the co-hosts.

Ismael Saibari (Morocco) vs Brazil – Group C, 13 June

Saibari cut between Brazil’s two centre-backs to reach a defence-splitting pass and lifted the ball first-time over the outrushing Alisson Becker in a 1-0 victory.

Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) vs Morocco – Group C, 13 June

The Brazil forward cut inside from near the byline and buried a shot inside the far post from an acute angle to secure a 1-1 draw with Morocco.

Felix Nmecha (Germany) vs Curaçao – Group E, 14 June

Nmecha got Germany off the mark by guiding the ball with precision inside the far corner after a give-and-go with Florian Wirtz in a 1-0 win.

Chris Wood (New Zealand) vs IR Iran – Group G, 15 June

Wood connected with Chris Wood and Sarpreet Singh before collecting the ball from Wood in the box, flicking it up and lashing it high into the net. He became the first All White to score twice in a World Cup match in a 1-0 victory.

Kylian Mbappe (France) vs Senegal – Group I, 16 June

France's greatest marksman unleashed a 32-yard shot that flew past Edouard Mendy for his record-breaking 58th goal for his nation in a 3-1 win.

Lionel Messi (Argentina) vs Algeria – Group J, 16 June

Collecting the ball on the turn, Messi advanced to the D and let fly, beating Luca Zidane with his trademark speed and whip in a 1-0 victory.

Kevin Pina (Cabo Verde) vs Uruguay – Group H, 21 June

Pina delivered Cabo Verde’s first World Cup finals goal from beyond 30 yards, firing hard and low through a gap in Uruguay’s defensive wall and past Fernando Muslera in a 1-0 win.

Lamine Yamal (Spain) vs Qatar – Group B, 24 June

The 18-year-old showed tremendous footwork to evade two defenders before crashing an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area in a 1-0 victory.

Wilson Isidor (Haiti) vs Morocco – Group C, 24 June

The Haiti attacker arrowed a shot of stunning speed and power on a diagonal path into the top corner of Yassine Bounou’s goal in a 2-1 win.

Daizen Maeda (Japan) vs Sweden – Group F, 25 June

A wonderful team effort saw Ritsu Doan play a give-and-go with Ayase Ueda, then supply an angled through-ball to meet Maeda’s run in behind, capped by a composed finish in a 1-0 win.

Odiljon Hamrobekov (Uzbekistan) vs Congo DR – Group K, 28 June

The highlight of the White Wolves' debut World Cup came in their final match with an inch-perfect lob from their inspirational captain in a 1-0 victory.