The 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament so far makes for fascinating reading, with some notable omissions including the likes of Michael Olise and Harry Kane.
While several players have passed the eye test - as have many others across the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer - WhoScored have taken a data-driven approach, rating every player's performances throughout the tournament to determine the standout performers based on statistics.
Players from England, Spain and France dominate the lineup, but there are also a handful of surprise inclusions. This year's tournament has already delivered its fair share of twists and turns, from unexpected results to Cape Verde's remarkable underdog run, which saw them go toe-to-toe with Lionel Messi's Argentina in the Round of 32.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Spain's Aymeric Laporte
Euro 2024 - Group B - Spain v Italy - Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - June 20, 2024 Spain's Aymeric Laporte celebrates after the match REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
Iran didn't arrive at this tournament expecting to trouble the elite sides, but Alireza Beiranvand's performance in goal at least helped them to dream, with 11 of his 15 total saves coming inside the box as Team Melli drew all three of their group matches, keeping a clean sheet against Belgium. Then, it is no surprise that two Spain defenders also feature.
Spain’s historic defensive run - 5 matches without conceding a single goal - means both Pedro Porro and Aymeric Laporte are in the lineup, with new Real Madrid signing Marc Cucurella perhaps a little unfortunate not to have been included, too. Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United's Argentine defender, also gets the nod for his goal and assist so far in the knockout stages.
Completing the backline is another surprise name in Nuno Mendes. Certainly, he's one of the best left-backs in world football right now, but Portugal have been very underwhelming this summer. Considered among the outside favourites before the tournament started, PSG's wide man can be the only one to hold his head up high from Roberto Martinez's side as his movement between defence and attack was a constant thorn in opponents' side as others around him failed to keep up to his level.
World Cup Team of the Tournament Based on Stats (Goalkeeper & Defence)
Position
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
Midfield
Florian WirtzPhil Noble via Reuters
Florian Wirtz has showcased exactly why Liverpool view him as one of Europe's most gifted attacking midfielders, having paid in excess of £100million to secure his signature last season. His 12 key passes lead all midfielders at the tournament, while his three assists are the second-most among midfielders, behind only France's Olise, despite Germany suffering a shock Round of 32 exit to Paraguay.
He lines up alongside Jude Bellingham in the heart of the engine room, with the Real Madrid star the only England player to make the XI. His brace against Mexico sent the nation into delirium in the early hours of Monday morning, but it is his 28 touches in the opposition box that have flown under the radar as he continues to drag the Three Lions deeper into the tournament.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Vinicius Jr Related
30 Best Players at 2026 World Cup Based on Stats - Man Utd and Liverpool Players Star
Vinicius Jr ranks fifth among the top performers at the World Cup so far.
Lionel Messi - widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time - remains the be-all and end-all of Argentina's World Cup hopes. The numbers tell the story: he has already registered eight goals and one assist this summer, with only two of Argentina's goals coming without his direct involvement. Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr finally found his spark for Brazil, contributing to five goals in six matches before Norway brought their campaign to an end.
World Cup Team of the Tournament Based on Stats (Midfield)
Position
RM
CM
CM
LM
Attack
Erling Haaland in action for NorwayBurt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters
Erling Haaland is playing in his first-ever World Cup and, in four matches, has an incredible seven goals. He continues to make people question whether he's actually human or not, and finds himself in the conversation for this year's Ballon d'Or after helping the Vikings to a quarter-final appearance.
His rival for that mantle, however, is Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has just as many goals in one extra match, but also has two assists to foot as he looks to extend his chokehold on the World Cup, having won the 2018 edition and scored a hat-trick in the dramatic final loss to Argentina four years later in Qatar.
World Cup Team of the Tournament Based on Stats (Attack)
Position
ST
ST
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