The group stage for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is done and dusted with Germany home already. So, who would join Cody Gakpo in a best-performing team from the first round?
Qatar 2022 threw up a number of shocks along with four-time champions Germany failing to get out of Group E. Their’s was the only group from the eight to feature two past winners of the quadrennial FIFA tournament. Yet Spain would also only finish as runners-up to Japan.
Despite losing their second game to Costa Rica, Japan came from behind to win 2-1 in their ties with Germany and Spain. Saudi Arabia also came from behind to beat Argentina 2-1 in Group C. While goal difference split 2018 champions France and Australia to top Group D.
Qatar, meanwhile, set a new record as the worst team to host a World Cup after failing to take a point during the group stage in their maiden appearance. Wales also only took one point to finish last in Group B on their return to the FIFA stage for the first time in 64 years.
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Group B winners England, on the other hand, were one of just five sides to go unbeaten in the groups. As did the Netherlands (Group A), USA (Group B), Morocco and Croatia (Group F). So, which players would feature in a Team of the Group Stage at the 2022 World Cup?
Wojciech Szczesny (GK): Poland had the best stopper in the Qatar 2022 group stage
Poland have been underwhelming yet made the knockouts thanks hugely to Wojciech Szczesny’s performances in goal. The 32-year-old saved two penalties over their three fixtures. He also made a tournament-high 18 saves for two clean sheets, per SofaScore.
Achraf Hakimi (RB): Morocco topped Group F with PSG’s star key in their team
Morocco topped a Group F including 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and the #2-ranked FIFA nation, Belgium, at Qatar 2022. Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi was vital for their progression with the 24-year-old winning more tackles (13) than any other right-back did.
Ibrahima Konate (CB): France can build their World Cup defence on the defender
France will feel they can build their World Cup defence around Ibrahima Konate after his work in the team during the group stage. The Liverpool 23-year-old, with Hakimi, won the most tackles (13) of any defender in the first round. No player also dribbled around him.
Kalidou Koulibaly (CB): Senegal’s captain sent them through to the Round of 16
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly sent his nation through to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Chelsea defender was a man mountain at the back through their three Group A fixtures. He also scored the West African’s winner over Ecuador to advance.
Eduardo Camavinga (LB): He took one game to make our Team of the Group Stage
Eduardo Camavinga is a central midfielder who Real Madrid paid £34.5m for in 2021. Yet it only took the 20-year-old one game at left-back as France lost to Tunisia to make our Team of the Group Stage for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It was also his only appearance so far.
Despite it not being his natural position and going on to lose 1-0, Camavinga won 18 duels. Per SofaScore, it set the record for the most won by a Frenchman in a single World Cup tie since 1966. He also won 11 tackles, whilst making three interceptions and six clearances.
Only Hakimi and Konate through the entire group stage won more tackles than Camavinga did in his only outing. No Tunisia player would dribble past the makeshift full-back, either.
Tyler Adams (CDM): Leeds star was the engine behind the USA’s endeavours
Tyler Adams was the engine behind the USA’s endeavours in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. The £20m Leeds United star’s defensive efforts let Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie push on. But Adams was also capable of breaking down an opponent’s lines.
Frenkie De Jong (CDM): Barcelona ace gave the Netherlands an all-round package
Frenkie De Jong gave the Netherlands an all-round package in the engine room as Oranje topped Group A. The Barcelona star battled hard with 11 tackles and three interceptions. He also created their first goal of the tournament with a perfect cross into the Qatar box.
Lionel Messi (RM): The Argentina icon is carrying his country at another World Cup
Lionel Messi told Star+, via TN, before Qatar 2022 that this year’s World Cup is ‘surely’ his last appearance. And the 35-year-old clearly does not want to end an iconic career without the FIFA title. At his fifth tournament, Messi is again carrying his nation on the world stage.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was the South American’s best threat in all three of their first-round fixtures. La Albiceleste could have gone home in the group stage had Messi not inspired his team to beat Mexico, as well, after scoring his eighth goal at a World Cup so far.
Antoine Griezmann (CAM): Deschamps has kept his 2018 champion busy in Qatar
Didier Deschamps has kept Antoine Griezmann busy as the 2018 World Cup winners chase another title at Qatar 2022. The 31-year-old created a tournament-high five big chances in the group stage for one assist for France. He also won seven tackles and took on five shots.
Kylian Mbappe (LM): The 2018 Best Young Player is chasing a Golden Ball
Kylian Mbappe won the Best Young Player award at Russia 2018 and he is now chasing the World Cup Golden Ball at Qatar 2022. The 23-year-old could also snatch the Golden Boot after a joint-high three goals in the group stage from a tournament-high 16 shots attempted.
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Cody Gakpo (ST): Liverpool will love what the PSV forward is showing
Liverpool will love what Gakpo showed as the PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands star made our Team of the Group Stage at the 2022 World Cup. Dean Jones has claimed the Reds are scouting the 23-year-old, who scored three goals during as many first-round appearances.
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