The Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup delivered a series of breathtaking matches and unbelievable upsets. Chief among them was Brazil’s shocking exit at the hands of Norway, courtesy of a masterclass brace by the clinical Erling Haaland.
Meanwhile, Egypt came agonizingly close to producing a historic miracle against Argentina, leading 2-0 until the 79th minute. However, Lionel Messi and his teammates snatched victory in the final 10 minutes of a highly controversial match. France encountered little trouble ending Paraguay’s exciting run, setting up a quarter-final clash with Morocco—the only remaining Arab and African team—after the Atlas Lions cruised to a 3-0 win over Canada. Thrills were also at an all-time high in Mexico City, where England edged out Mexico 3-2.
Below, we review the Team of the Round of 16 based on ratings from Fanzword users.
🧤 Goalkeeper
Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt):
It is rare for a goalkeeper to receive a perfect 5/5 rating after conceding three goals, but Shobeir proved he belongs among the World Cup elite. He spectacularly saved a Lionel Messi penalty and denied a certain goal from Julián Álvarez. He was a constant source of reassurance for the Pharaohs and bears no responsibility for Argentina’s three goals.
🛡️ Defenders
Left-Back | Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco):
Al-Hajj” Mazraoui continues to deliver staggering performances at left-back. His unforgettable efforts against Canada shut down the co-hosts’ flanks. He turned his side into a total nightmare for Jesse Marsch’s squad, contributing heavily to Mohamed Wehbi’s 3-0 victory and booking a quarter-final spot for the second consecutive tournament.
Center-Back | Dayot Upamecano (France):
Unlike Germany’s struggles against Paraguay’s lethal counter-attacks, the South American side found no such joy against France. The secret was Upamecano, who intercepted every quick transition. Alongside William Saliba, he forms an undefeated defensive duo in this World Cup, earning the highest Fanzword user rating of the round.
Center-Back | Cristian Romero (Argentina)
“Cuti” always delivers when it matters most. He single-handedly saved Argentina from disaster against Egypt; without his crucial goal past Shobeir, the Albiceleste would not have triggered their comeback. Despite Lisandro Martínez’s two costly errors, Romero put on a solid defensive display.
Right-Back | Achraf Hakimi (Morocco):
Another masterclass from Hakimi, who proves day after day that he is one of the greatest right-backs in African football history, and arguably the best at the 2026 World Cup. His attacking threat was immense, and his brilliant assist for Azzedine Ounahi’s opening goal unlocked a highly complex match for Morocco.
⚙️ Midfielders
Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco):
A predictable phenomenon: whenever the World Cup arrives, Ounahi takes center stage. The Moroccan maestro netted a brace against Canada, putting on one of the finest displays of his career, mirroring his sensational form from the 2022 World Cup.
Jude Bellingham (England):
One of the few players to secure a perfect 5/5 rating, Bellingham is having a flawless World Cup campaign. He scored twice for Thomas Tuchel’s side in a highly volatile atmosphere at the Azteca Stadium. His tactical versatility as a second striker makes him one of the most valuable gems in world football.
🚀 Forwards
Heitham Hassan (Egypt):
Hassan made just one mistake—conceding the penalty that Shobeir saved. From that moment on, the Real Oviedo star played a flawless game, registering an assist and driving the counter-attack for another disallowed goal. Had he not gone off injured, Egypt might have clinched a historic quarter-final spot.
Mostafa Ziko (Egypt):
Earning a perfect 5/5 rating from Fanzword users, Ziko proved that sheer determination and fighting spirit can take you to the absolute pinnacle of football. Netting a stunning brace against Argentina while tracking back to deliver immense defensive work, the Pyramids FC star put on a monumental performance, even if the final whistle brought a tragic end for the Pharaohs.
Lionel Messi (Argentina):
For 80 minutes, Messi was completely neutralized by the Egyptian defense. But once the maestro found his spark, chaos ensued. He scored one and assisted another, turning into a defensive nightmare for Egypt, reaching his 8th goal of this tournament and his 21st overall in World Cup history.
Erling Haaland (Norway):
A truly monstrous performance from Haaland against Brazil. He opened the scoring by completely outwitting the Seleção defense before sealing the historic qualification with an unstoppable trademark strike. Haaland has now scored 7 goals in his debut World Cup campaign.
