​DALLAS, UNITED STATES – JUNE 27: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring to make it 1-3, extending his streak to seven World Cup matches in a row, during the World Cup match between Jordan and Argentina at the Dallas Stadium on June 27, 2026 in Dallas, United States (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images. Amidst controversy over North America hosting, the expanded 48-team tournament, and hydration breaks, fans were treated to one of the most memorable group stages in FIFA World Cup history, filled with underdog stories, notable failures, and standout moments. Here are the biggest winners and losers from the group phase.
Winners
Cabo Verde emerged as the tournament’s Cinderella story, dazzling fans with a staunch defensive display that began with a dramatic draw against Spain and now positions them to shock Argentina in the Round of 32. While DR Congo also contended for a deep run, Cabo Verde captured hearts worldwide.
Lionel Messi continued to settle the debate over the greatest player of all time. His continued world-class form in the World Cup, despite questions about retiring and his MLS tenure, underscored his enduring impact. With what appears to be a relatively straightforward path for Argentina into the knockout rounds, Messi and his teammates could be well on their way to defending their title with consecutive World Cup glory.
Denis Undav has been one of the tournament’s standout stories, translating his Bundesliga success with VfB Stuttgart to the national team. Serving as a dynamic super sub for Julian Nagelsmann, Undav has posted the tournament’s best goal-contribution rate, proving valuable against fatigue and offering a potent off-the-bench option.
Canada proved that hosting a World Cup can unleash potential, even for a nation traditionally celebrated for hockey. They dominated most of their matches with eight goals across the group and, despite a final-game loss, earned a historic spot in the knockout stage for the first time, signaling a remarkable milestone for Canadian football ahead of the knockouts.