FIFA World Cup 2026: Team of the Round of 16 ft. Lionel Messi & Kylian Mbappé

Only eight teams are left competing for the trophy.

With the larger 48-team format, an extra round was added to the FIFA World Cup 2026, with 32 teams qualifying for the knockout stages.

France, Norway, and England won their games, with Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane scoring in the Round of 16.

Spain gained safe passage with a victory against Portugal, eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams of winning the one title that has evaded him throughout his stellar career.

Meanwhile, Argentina were on the brink of elimination before Lionel Messi summoned his magic and contributed an assist and a goal to lead Argentina to a 3-2 win over Egypt, while Colombia were eliminated on penalties against Switzerland.

Here’s our top XI from the round of 16.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Team of the Round of 16 (Formation: 433)

GK: Jordan Pickford (England)

Jordan Pickford was decisive in everything he did and produced two outstanding stops to deny Jimenez in the first half. Then, as Mexico threatened in the latter phases, he took complete control of his territory.

RB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

In Morocco’s 3-0 victory over Canada in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, Achraf Hakimi was exceptional. As the team’s captain, he anchored the defence with nine defensive actions, two tackles, and five clearances in addition to creating a critical opportunity and assisting on the first goal.

CB: Cristian Romero (Argentina)

Cristian Romero’s performance was undoubtedly action-packed. In addition to his goal, he made seven passes into the final third while maintaining a 94% passing accuracy as he inspired Argentina to a late comeback against Egypt.

CB: Ezri Konsa (England)

Like the rest of his defence, Ezri Konsa put his body on the line repeatedly to help England resist a late Mexico attack in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He was rock solid at the back.

LB: Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)

Mazraoui, normally a right-back, was moved to left-back against Canada, when he put up a spectacular performance and was unaffected as Canada conceded 3-0.

CM: Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)

Granit Xhaka played the entire 120 minutes and made four clearances and 84 accurate passes from his typical midfield position.

The Sunderland player also helped his team advance to the quarterfinals by winning half of his individual duels and converting his shootout penalty. He has continuously given excellent performances, and Switzerland’s success is largely due to his all-around influence.

CM: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)

Enzo Fernandez had outstanding ball retention and progressive passing throughout the match. He regularly received between the lines and propelled Argentina ahead when the squad sorely needed a creative spark.

His timing for the game-winning goal was perfect; he entered the box late and met the delivery with a strong header that Shobeir was unable to stop.

CM: Jude Bellingham (England)

In the first half of the match, Bellingham scored twice in two minutes to significantly tilt the contest at the Azteca. Given the loud enthusiasm for Mexico among the fans, Bellingham’s performance was outstanding on several fronts.

This was by far their finest performance of the competition thus far. According to Bellingham, he expects this would boost the team’s confidence.

RW: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Came through for his team against Egypt. Lionel Messi’s first-half penalty, which would have brought Argentina level with Egypt, was saved, igniting a 3-2 comeback. Continues to break records at the FIFA World Cup. Has now scored in nine consecutive World Cup matches.

ST: Erling Haaland (Norway)

Against Brazil, it was a one-man show, and Erling Haaland came through when it mattered most. Norway, who were the least likely to win this match, upset the odds, as their star striker Haaland scored two goals to lead his team to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and a matchup with England.

LW: Kylian Mbappé (France)

Kylian Mbappe’s solitary goal was enough to see France through to the quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the chaotic match, France found it hard to break through Paraguay’s defence, while Mbappe sought his eighth goal but failed to find the back of the net. However, a penalty in the closing stage of the game saw Mbappe slot in and send Les Bleus to the last eight of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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