Just like that, we have witnessed 72 matches of the 2026 World Cup.
Fear not, there is still plenty to go – however it does feel like that realisation you may get midway through a holiday that home-time is not too far away.
It’s been fun, though, right? Many thought the group stage would be a bit of a drag given the number of teams and how there were many perceived mismatches, yet it has been anything but that.
From the blockbuster names living up to the hype to unknown quantities becoming household names overnight, let’s have a look back at the group stage and hand out our awards.
GOAL OF THE GROUP STAGE
Wilson Isidor, Haiti vs Morocco
The British eyes might have been transfixed on Scotland’s horror show against Brazil so, if you missed it, go and dig this one out.
The Sunderland man with a piledriver, which has been a theme of the tournament.
Wilson Isidor’s earns our goal of the group stage with a piledriver from outside the box
The Haiti forward found the top corner of the Morocco net from outside the penalty area
BEST ASSIST
Nathan Saliba, Canada vs Switzerland
May or may not have made this award just to mention this lovely bit of skill from Saliba (as the commentators seem to be obliged to tell us every single time he gets the ball, he is no relation to William).
The touch and then ball to Promise David is silky.
STAR PLAYER
Lionel Messi
Winning in Qatar in 2022 capped off a stellar career that cemented his position, in my eyes, as the greatest of all time.
Doing it again four years later at 39 is arguably just as much of an achievement. He makes Argentina serious candidates again.
Lionel Messi is still producing magic at 39 and scored six goals during the group stage
WORST PLAYER
It seems harsh to single out any one player but some of the individual errors from Scotland were a catastrophe.
The win against Haiti was memorable, the two losses were excusable but they could have had so much more if not for silly mess-ups.
BEST TEAM
France
They showed some defensive frailties against Senegal in the opening game. But overall the prospect of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and several others all being on the pitch at the same time is frightening.
France have shown some defensive fragility but their attacking talent is frightening
Tunisia sacked their manager after a 5-1 defeat, only to back that up with 4-0 and 3-1 losses
WORST TEAM
Tunisia
Thanks for coming, lads. So bad they sacked Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 loss in the opening game, then backed it up with 4-0 and 3-1 losses. Still, new manager Herve Renard must have got a good pay day?
SURPRISE PACKAGE
I was pleasantly surprised by Colombia. They should have beaten Portugal and have scored some lovely goals in the other games. Hosts Mexico have been better than I expected, too.
BIGGEST UNDERACHIEVERS
Uruguay have been terrible and just pip Turkey to this one after the latter’s win in the third game.
Marcelo Bielsa has some talented players at his disposal but the two-time winners offered nothing.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay underwhelmed despite having a number of talented players
Cape Verde have produced the underdog story so far, with their goalkeeper Vozinha a central player
Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi, 20, has scored risen to prominence with four goals in the group stage
UNDERDOG STORY
Cape Verde getting a draw against Spain will live long in the memory and so will their overall campaign, especially goalkeeper Vozinha. He’s on 17 million Instagram followers as it stands. It’ll be funny to check back in a year to see how many have unfollowed but his story has been a joy to watch.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
I had to frantically learn the back-story of Johan Manzambi when I was covering Switzerland’s win over Bosnia last week. He used to be a goalkeeper, funnily enough.
The Freiburg midfielder came off the bench to score a brace, then backed it up with another in the next game. And he’s only 20.
