The World Cup group stage has delivered familiar brilliance, unexpected breakthroughs and several performances that have forced experts to reconsider their early tournament predictions.

TV 2 Sport expert Mads Junker has now selected his best XI from the opening phase of the tournament, with a team built around some of the game’s biggest names and a handful of players who have used the group stage to announce themselves on a wider stage.

According to TV 2 Sport, Junker’s attack is led by Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, three forwards who arrived at the tournament with enormous expectations and still managed to shape their countries’ campaigns.

Superstars set the tone

The front three is the least surprising part of Junker’s selection, but also the most difficult to argue against.

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Messi is chosen on the right, Haaland leads the line for Norway, and Mbappé takes his place on the left. It is a forward line built on different qualities: Messi’s control and vision, Haaland’s penalty-area power and Mbappé’s pace and directness.

Their inclusion also reflects the wider story of the group stage. The biggest players have not merely been present, they have been decisive.

Junker’s full group stage team

Junker’s team lines up with Vozinha of Cape Verde in goal after a strong tournament opening. The 40-year-old goalkeeper has been one of the most memorable figures of Cape Verde’s World Cup debut, with the Associated Press describing his first appearance at the tournament as worth the long wait.

The back four is made up of Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Dayot Upamecano of France, Aymeric Laporte of Spain and Nakamura of Japan.

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In midfield, Junker has selected Ayyoub Bouaddi of Morocco, Michael Olise of France and Johan Manzambi of Switzerland. Bouaddi and Manzambi have both attracted attention as breakout names, with The Guardian highlighting them among the World Cup players whose performances could raise their profiles in the Premier League market.

Junker’s best XI:

Goalkeeper: Vozinha, Cape Verde
Right-back: Achraf Hakimi, Morocco
Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano, France
Centre-back: Aymeric Laporte, Spain
Left-back: Nakamura, Japan
Midfield: Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morocco
Midfield: Michael Olise, France
Midfield: Johan Manzambi, Switzerland
Right wing: Lionel Messi, Argentina
Striker: Erling Haaland, Norway
Left wing: Kylian Mbappé, France

A team with familiar names and new stories

What makes the selection interesting is not only the presence of Messi, Haaland and Mbappé. It is also the balance between established stars and players who have given the group stage some of its fresher storylines.

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Vozinha’s place in goal speaks to Cape Verde’s resilience. Bouaddi’s inclusion reflects Morocco’s ability to combine structure with technical quality. Manzambi’s selection underlines Switzerland’s attacking energy, while Olise gives France another creative presence behind an already dangerous forward line.

In defence, Hakimi remains one of the most complete full-backs in international football, while Upamecano and Laporte offer experience, athleticism and calmness at centre-back.

Junker’s XI is ultimately a snapshot of the tournament so far: a World Cup still shaped by its superstars, but also one where new names have quickly found room on the biggest stage.

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