Ben Dinnery casts his eye over the group stages at the 2026 World Cup and how Final One Standing players have been impacted, with some big teams stepping up while others have yet to inspire confidence.
The expanded 2026 World Cup has delivered exactly what the masses wanted: new nations embracing football’s biggest stage and a group phase filled with competitive, entertaining matches, with one-sided scorelines the exception rather than the rule.
Tactically, the tournament has been just as compelling. Traditional wingers have returned to prominence, teams have had more success playing incisive passes through central areas, and the low block has again shown that disciplined defending remains one of football’s most effective weapons.
Final One Standing: World Cup 2026 News
The tournament has also delivered fitting moments for two of the game’s greatest players. Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer, with the knockout rounds still to come.
At the same time, Cristiano Ronaldo made history by scoring in a sixth World Cup and becoming the second-oldest goalscorer in tournament history behind Roger Milla.
But beyond the individual brilliance, which teams have impressed, who should we be watching, and who has fallen short?
The Big Disappointments
Before the tournament, there was no shortage of dark-horse predictions. Turkey featured prominently on many lists, only to crash out after two defeats. Belgium have suffered a similarly disappointing campaign.
Interestingly, neither side has performed badly statistically. Both finished the group stage with positive expected goal (xG) differentials, but neither managed to translate those chances into goals. Turkey have been the tournament’s biggest xG underperformers at -3.73, while Belgium sit third worst at -2.14. The opportunities were there… the finishing wasn’t.
Spain deserves greater scrutiny.
As so often in recent tournaments, they have dominated possession without consistently threatening the opposition’s goal. Their struggles against Cape Verde perfectly illustrated their long-standing problems against deep defensive blocks.
La Roja lead the tournament with an average of 70% possession and rank inside the Top 10 for total passes, yet their 0.09 xG per shot places them alongside Scotland, Egypt and Iran. Meanwhile, their 8.2% conversion rate is among the poorest in the competition, while their overall xG total sits only marginally above South Korea.
Their four-goal victory over Saudi Arabia disguises a recurring issue: they still lack a ruthless finisher. And against stronger opposition, that inefficiency could become a major obstacle.
The Dark Horse Emerging
Morocco were one of my favourite outsiders before the tournament, and they have justified that confidence.
Having negotiated a difficult group, they enter the knockout phase as one of the competition’s most dangerous opponents.
Questions surrounded their attacking threat before kick-off, but those doubts have quickly disappeared. Morocco sits sixth for total xG, while also producing some of the highest-quality chances in the tournament. Defensively, they have been equally impressive, conceding just 0.09 xG per shot, making life exceptionally difficult for opposing attacks.
Their system continues to maximise the talents of Achraf Hakimi, who leads the tournament in both key passes and chances created.
Much of what carried Morocco to the World Cup semi-finals back in 2022 remains intact. Their compact midfield block, disciplined defensive shape and outstanding game management continue to frustrate opponents before striking decisively on the counter.
In an increasingly demanding football calendar, that efficiency may become even more valuable. Morocco rarely wastes energy, controls the tempo, and consistently manages the fine margins that decide knockout matches. That is why they deserve to be favourites heading into their tie with the Netherlands.
Japan have also quietly produced one of the strongest group-stage performances.
Despite difficult fixtures against the Netherlands and Sweden, they conceded just 1.48 xG across the group stage, ranking among the tournament’s best defensive sides. The quality of opportunities they allow remains extremely low, while they continue to create high-value chances offensively.
Japan ranks ninth for xG per shot, boasting the fourth-best conversion rate… placing them among the leading xG overperformers. Brazil are favourites, but this tie is far from straightforward.
The United States Mean Business
Ignoring the final group game against Turkey, where Mauricio Pochettino understandably rotated with one eye on the knockout rounds, the United States have perhaps been the tournament’s most impressive collective.
Pochettino has transformed the Americans into one of the fiercest pressing teams at the World Cup.
They lead the tournament for pressed sequences, rank third lowest for Passes Per Defensive Action (PPDA) and have generated more high turnovers than any other side. Those regains have already produced five shots, highlighting just how effective their aggressive approach has become.
Maintaining that intensity deep into the tournament will be the challenge, but every remaining opponent now knows they will receive neither time nor space in possession.
France Look Like Champions
France began the tournament among the favourites, and nothing during the group stage has changed that opinion.
Drawn in one of the tougher groups, they emerged with a perfect record, scoring at least three goals in every match while rarely appearing stretched.
Their attacking depth borders on unfair. Didier Deschamps can rotate elite forwards without any noticeable drop in quality.
France rank seventh for xG per 90 but sit joint-top for goals scored, combining the fifth-best xG per shot with a superb 20% conversion rate. At the other end, they have conceded just 0.57 xG per 90, underlining their balance at both ends of the pitch.
Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé have understandably dominated the headlines, but Michael Olise has arguably been Les Bleus’ most influential creator.
He leads the tournament for through balls, ranks fifth for expected assists and sits at the top of the assist charts, providing the creative spark behind the team’s devastating attack.
One Final Thought
History suggests that early setbacks can actually be beneficial, so supporters of England, Germany and Spain need not panic after they dropped points in their opening fixtures…
Brazil in 2002 remain the last World Cup winners to win every group-stage match before lifting the trophy. Every champion since has stumbled along the way.
More importantly, those setbacks often forced tactical adjustments that ultimately became defining features of their title-winning campaigns.
The knockout rounds demand a different type of football. Rotation disappears, margins become finer, and the willingness to take calculated risks increases dramatically.
The real tournament starts now.
