The first set of group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup is already in the books. With all 48 teams having played at least once, plenty of names have forced their way into the conversation – some household stars, others breakout talents announcing themselves on the biggest stage. Here are 10 players who caught the eye in the opening week, from Erling Haaland’s ruthless efficiency to a 40-year-old goalkeeper who became an overnight sensation.
1. Erling Haaland (Norway) – settling in instantly, again
Match: Iraq 1-4 Norway
Wherever Erling Haaland has gone – the Austrian Bundesliga, the German top flight, the Premier League, the Champions League – he has hit the ground running. So it was little surprise that one of the world’s most feared strikers adapted to the World Cup just as quickly.
Inside the opening half-hour of his tournament debut – and Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998 – he was already off the mark with a tap-in, then pounced on a defensive error to make it two before the break, and had a hand in the fourth. Remarkably, he managed all of that from just 20 touches, a reminder of the damage he can do with minimal involvement. At 25, he is among the Golden Boot favourites, and it would be unwise to rule out a serious run at the all-time record of 16 World Cup goals.
2. Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) – the Liverpool-linked livewire
Match: Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador
Several of Europe’s biggest clubs are monitoring RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, and his display in Ivory Coast’s narrow win over Ecuador showed exactly why. Comfortable on either flank, the teenager was a constant menace, tormenting Ecuador’s left-back and dazzling with his dribbling – of particular interest to Liverpool fans, given reported interest in him as a long-term successor to Mo Salah.
His man-of-the-match outing was historic too: according to Opta, he became the first player on record since 1966 to register 5+ chances created, 5+ tackles, 10+ duels won and 10+ touches in the opposition box in a single World Cup match. A few more performances like that and Leipzig’s reported £86m valuation of the 19-year-old will only climb.
3. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco) – the teenager justifying the hype
Match: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Flagged as one to watch, Ayyoub Bouaddi proved it against Brazil. France-born and a France youth international up to U21 level before switching allegiance in May, he won’t even turn 19 until October – yet he already has close to 100 senior appearances for Lille.
Far from overawed against Brazil, he completed 60 passes, making him the second-youngest player to complete 50+ passes in a World Cup match in six decades, behind only Spain’s Gavi in 2022. With Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid reportedly keen – and Arsenal said to have opened talks – his contract until 2029 may not keep him at Lille for long if he keeps this up.
4. Vozinha (Cape Verde) – the overnight folk hero
Match: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
When Cape Verde held tournament favourites Spain to a goalless draw on their World Cup debut, one man dominated the headlines. Over 90 minutes, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha produced seven saves to secure a monumental point, and his emotional full-time reaction – and tribute to his family – only deepened the story.
The numbers tell their own tale: his Instagram following reportedly leapt from around 50,000 before the game to well over 8 million afterwards. At his age it may not trigger a career-altering transfer, but it was a life-changing performance all the same – exactly the kind of underdog moment that makes people fall in love with the sport, and a story likely to be retold for years.
5. Folarin Balogun (USA) – announcing himself ahead of Pulisic
Match: USA 4-1 Paraguay
Behind the scenes, Folarin Balogun has long been viewed as the answer to the United States’ search for a reliable No 9 – and now the wider world has seen it. The 24-year-old, who played for England across four youth levels before switching to the country of his birth in 2023, arrived at the tournament with nine goals in 27 caps.
In an impressive hosts’ display, Christian Pulisic pulled the strings before being withdrawn at the break as a precaution, but it was Balogun’s sharp movement and composed first-half double that stole the show. His backstory added to the moment – he was born in Brooklyn only because his mother was deemed too far into her pregnancy to fly home from a New York holiday. With McKennie and Pulisic also shining, Balogun’s form could carry the US deep into the tournament.
6. Ben Gannon-Doak (Scotland) – a debut to remember
Match: Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Ben Gannon-Doak’s World Cup debut was a joy to watch – worth the 1.30am alarm for many at home. The 20-year-old Bournemouth winger played with the fearlessness his age allows, driving much of Scotland’s attacking play as they claimed a first World Cup win since 1990.
He topped the game for dribbles (6) and matched Scotland’s highest tallies for shots and chances created (both 2). There is a point-to-prove edge to him, too: a hamstring injury in the dramatic 4-2 qualifying win over Denmark in November – a game in which he also assisted Scott McTominay – kept him out for five months and left his tournament involvement in doubt. He had a hand in John McGinn’s 28th-minute winner and could enter Young Player of the Tournament contention if he keeps contributing like this.
7. Kang-in Lee (South Korea) – a playmaker to watch
Match: South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic
Those who stayed up for South Korea’s Group A opener were treated to a classy performance from Kang-in Lee, whose technical quality inspired a 2-1 win. The Czechs simply could not handle his movement between the lines.
He assisted Hwang In-beom’s opener as one of three chances created, ranked among the tournament’s top dribblers early on with five, was fouled four times – a nod to his elusiveness – and completed all 38 of his passes. That control on the ball earned him his 2023 move from Mallorca to PSG, where he remains a squad option amid the stars. With Atletico Madrid reportedly interested, more displays like this against Mexico and South Africa could lengthen his list of suitors.
8. Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal) – history-maker pushing for a start
Match: France 3-1 Senegal
It took Ibrahim Mbaye just 21 minutes to write himself into the record books against France. The 18-year-old’s explosive finish made him Africa’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer and the second-youngest player to score on his tournament debut.
His goal briefly gave Senegal hope before Kylian Mbappé responded a minute later with arguably the finest strike of the tournament so far. There is a neat irony there: Mbaye is a highly rated prospect at Mbappé’s former club PSG and once represented France at youth level. Senegal boss Pape Thiaw now has a welcome dilemma over whether to start him in a pivotal clash with Norway – and the temptation, after this, will be strong.
9. Elliot Anderson (England) – assured and full of bite on debut
Match: England 4-2 Croatia
With transfer speculation swirling this summer, a strong World Cup could add several million to Nottingham Forest’s valuation of Elliot Anderson – and his debut against Croatia was a promising start. He brought extra bite and reliability alongside Declan Rice, pressing relentlessly, tackling sharply and keeping things ticking while teammates settled.
He finished involved in 11 duels (winning six) and recovered possession eight times with four interceptions – all team-highs for England – and released Bellingham for the crucial third goal early in the second half. Noni Madueke also deserves credit for his right-wing running, particularly in a first half that needed more thrust, but Anderson’s all-round display just edged him here. Both look set to be important for England this summer.
10. Elijah Just (New Zealand) – a new national hero
Match: Iran 2-2 New Zealand
World Cups create national heroes, and Eli Just has become one for New Zealand. The forward is the first All White to score twice in a single World Cup game, with Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood assisting both as New Zealand drew 2-2 with the more seasoned Iran on their return after 16 years away.
Both finishes were taken superbly in a statement performance. It caps a fine rise for the 26-year-old, who scored seven goals in 31 league games during a solid first season at Motherwell. At 5’8 and slightly built, he also offers encouragement to players told they are too small – he more than held his own. Tougher tests against Egypt and Belgium await, but Just will fancy his chances of continuing to contribute.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the best player of the first World Cup 2026 group games?
Opinions vary, but Erling Haaland’s clinical brace for Norway and Yan Diomande’s record-setting all-round display for Ivory Coast were among the standout individual performances of the opening round.
Which young players have impressed at World Cup 2026?
Teenagers Yan Diomande, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Ibrahim Mbaye all caught the eye, alongside 20-year-old Scotland winger Ben Gannon-Doak – several of them already linked with major transfers.
Who is the Cape Verde goalkeeper who held Spain?
Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper, made seven saves to secure a historic 0-0 draw against Spain on Cape Verde’s World Cup debut, and saw his social media following soar overnight.
