Best team, moments, matches and players of the group stage
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Image source, Getty ImagesPublished28 June 2026After 72 matches across three countries, 48 teams who qualified for the 2026 World Cup have been whittled down to 32.
Records have been broken by some of the 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 picked their best teams, players, matches and moments from the group phase. 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. I don't think there's too much doubt it's been France. They are the team that's looked the best but as we have learned over the years, it's not how you start, it's how you finish and I still believe Spain will not be far away.
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.
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.
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.
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