The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with standout performers already emerging after the first round of group-stage matches.
FIFA continues to award the Superior Player of the Match (also called Player of the Match) after each fixture, recognising the most influential player on the pitch.
As of June 17, 24 players have received the award following the opening round of group-stage matches.
June 11, 2026
Julian Quiñones (Mexico) earned the award after Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa.
Hwang In-beom (South Korea) received the honour following South Korea’s 2-1 win against Czechia.
June 12, 2026
Ismael Koné (Canada) was named Player of the Match in Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Folarin Balogun (USA) scored twice and earned the award in the USA’s 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
June 13, 2026
John McGinn (Scotland) received the award after Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti.
Nestory Irankunda (Australia) earned the honour following Australia’s 2-0 victory against Türkiye.
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) was named Player of the Match despite Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco.
Mahmoud Abunada (Qatar) received the award in Qatar’s 1-1 tie with Switzerland.
June 14, 2026
Yan Diomande (Côte d’Ivoire) earned the award after Côte d’Ivoire’s 1-0 win over Ecuador.
Kai Havertz (Germany) was named Player of the Match in Germany’s dominant 7-1 victory over Curaçao.
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) received the honour following the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan.
Alexander Isak (Sweden) earned the award after Sweden’s 5-1 win against Tunisia.
June 15, 2026
Federico Valverde (Uruguay) was named Player of the Match despite Uruguay’s 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia.
Vozinha (Cabo Verde) earned the award in Cabo Verde’s remarkable 0-0 draw against Spain.
Ramin Rezaeian (IR Iran) received the honour following IR Iran’s 2-2 tie with New Zealand.
Emam Ashour (Egypt) was named Player of the Match in Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Belgium.
June 16, 2026
Michael Olise (France) earned the award after France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal.
Erling Haaland (Norway) scored in Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq and received the Player of the Match award.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) was named Player of the Match following Argentina’s 3-0 victory against Algeria.
Ali Olwan (Jordan) earned the honour in Jordan’s match against Austria.
June 17, 2026
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) was named Player of the Match after DR Congo held Portugal to 1-1 draw.
Harry Kane (England) earned the honour after scoring a brace in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia.
Antoine Semenyo earned the award after helping Ghana secure a 1-0 victory over Panama.
Luis Diaz was named Player of the Match after scoring a goal and creating an assist in Colombia’s 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.
