The 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, has already produced several standout performances, with a number of players earning recognition for their impact in the opening round of group-stage matches.
FIFA has continued to hand out its Superior Player of the Match award after every game, honouring the most influential player on the pitch.
As of June 17, a total of 20 players have received the award.
Among the latest winners are Argentina captain Lionel Messi, Norway striker Erling Haaland and France forward Michael Olise, who all delivered impressive performances on Tuesday.
Messi inspired Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria, while Haaland starred in Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq. Olise was instrumental in France’s 3-1 triumph over Senegal.
United States forward Folarin Balogun also made the list after scoring twice in his country’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Brazil winger Vinícius Júnior was another notable recipient after helping the South American giants secure a 1-1 draw against Morocco in Group C.
Player of the Match winners so far
June 11
Mexico 2-0 South Africa — Julian Quiñones (Mexico)
South Korea 2-1 Czechia — Hwang In-beom (South Korea)
June 12
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina — Ismael Koné (Canada)
USA 4-1 Paraguay — Folarin Balogun (USA)
June 13
Scotland 1-0 Haiti — John McGinn (Scotland)
Australia 2-0 Türkiye — Nestory Irankunda (Australia)
Brazil 1-1 Morocco — Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland — Mahmoud Abunada (Qatar)
June 14
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador — Yan Diomande (Côte d’Ivoire)
Germany 7-1 Curaçao — Kai Havertz (Germany)
Netherlands 2-2 Japan — Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia — Alexander Isak (Sweden)
June 15
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay — Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde — Vozinha (Cape Verde)
Iran 2-2 New Zealand — Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)
Belgium 1-1 Egypt — Emam Ashour (Egypt)
June 16
France 3-1 Senegal — Michael Olise (France)
Iraq 1-4 Norway — Erling Haaland (Norway)
Argentina 3-0 Algeria — Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Austria vs Jordan — Ali Olwan (Jordan)
A total of 104 Player of the Match awards will be handed out during the tournament, with the final set to take place on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
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Four more group-stage fixtures are scheduled for Wednesday:
Ghana vs Panama — Group L
England vs Croatia — Group L
Portugal vs DR Congo — Group K
Uzbekistan vs Colombia — Group K
More outstanding performances are expected as the race for World Cup glory continues.
