The global statistics platform “SofaScore” revealed the Best XI of the opening round of the 2026 World Cup, following the conclusion of the first matchday early Thursday morning, highlighted by outstanding performances from several players representing different national teams.
Historic Start to the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup kicked off strongly, marking the first edition with 48 participating teams. The tournament is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it a unique and highly competitive edition with unprecedented diversity.
Messi Leads the Round 1 Best XI
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi topped the Best XI after an exceptional performance, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria in his opening match of the tournament, reaffirming his dominance on the World Cup stage.
Messi also continued breaking records, becoming:
- The first player ever to appear in 6 different World Cup editions
- Reaching 200 international caps with Argentina
- Strengthening his position among the tournament’s all-time top scorers
Standout Stars of the Opening Round
The first round saw impressive performances from several players across different nations, including:
- Elijah Just (New Zealand)
- Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)
- Yasin Ayari (Sweden), who scored a brace against Tunisia
The presence of players from Canada, Cape Verde, Germany, Spain, and South Korea also reflected the wide competitive balance of the opening matches.
2026 World Cup Round 1 Best XI
Goalkeeper
- Vozinha (Cape Verde)
Defenders
- Richie Laryea (Canada)
- Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany)
- Dini Edilson (Cape Verde)
- Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)
Midfielders
- Pedri (Spain)
- Yasin Ayari (Sweden)
- Hwang In-beom (South Korea)
Forwards
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- Folarin Balogun (United States)
- Elijah Just (New Zealand)
Record-Breaking Moments of the Opening Round
The first round was not just a beginning but also a stage for historic achievements, with Messi continuing to rewrite records in terms of appearances, goals, and influence on the biggest stage in football.
Who topped the Round 1 Best XI?
Lionel Messi after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams are participating for the first time in history.
Where is the 2026 World Cup hosted?
In the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Who were the standout players in Round 1?
Messi, Yasin Ayari, Ramin Rezaeian, and Elijah Just.
What major record did Messi achieve?
He became the first player to appear in six World Cup editions.
