2026 World Cup round of 16 review: key players for each team

The 2026 World Cup has entered the round of 16, and the field is full of stars. Although the biggest names and teams remain in the game, there are also a few dark horses. Here's a look at the key players from each of the 16 teams left in the tournament before the next round begins. **Canada vs. Morocco** **Alphonso Davies** Defender Canada reached this stage without his help, but the presence of a healthy and fit Davies raises the level of the team. The Bayern Munich star has elite speed and strength on the left flank, although injuries have hampered him in recent years. Davies made his World Cup debut in the second half of the match against South Africa, making a 20-minute cameo. The next step may be to play one half, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to do more when Canada returns to action on Saturday afternoon. **Achraf Hakimi** Defender The Moroccan star on the right wing, although a defender in name, may be the team's best attacker. The 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain player won the last two UEFA Champions Leagues with the club. He is one of the fastest players in the tournament, but also strong enough to lead the game effectively. Ismael Saibari has scored twice in Morocco's first four games and is set to join Bayern Munich in the summer, but it is Hakimi who is the key player who drives Morocco's play. **Paraguay vs. France** **Gustavo Gómez** Defender The main feature of Paraguay is the difficulty of breaking it. Since losing 1-4 to the USA, Paraguay has conceded just one goal in three games against Turkey, Australia and Germany. Gómez is a key figure in defense. The team captain embodies her toughness and physicality. Gómez is also captain in Palmeiras, Brazil, where he has played over 400 games since joining the club in 2018. He scored the penalty in the winning match against Germany. **Kylian Mbappe** Attacker Only 27 years old, Mbappé is already one of the best players in World Cup history. He has 18 goals, which puts him one behind Lionel Messi, the all-time goalscorer. After two goals against Sweden, he became the leader with 10 goals in the knockout stage. The French captain is coming off a disappointing season at Real Madrid, but he has already scored six goals this World Cup and shown why he is one of the best in the world. France have plenty of assets in attack, including Michael Olise, who already has five assists, and PSG star Ousmane Dembélé. However, it is Mbappé who is the main character.  **Brazil vs. Norway** **Vinicius Junior** Attacker 'Vini' is Brazil's leading figure so far with three goals and one assist in four games. He didn't score against Japan, but he was the driving force behind Brazil's comeback to win and advance to the round of 16. The Real Madrid star has scored at least 21 goals in each of the last five seasons for Los Blancos. Playing on the left wing, he is a key player for Brazil. If the team is to go deep in this tournament, it will be thanks to Vini's form. **Erling Haaland** Attacker No player in the tournament has a more impressive international goalscoring record than Haaland, who scored 60 goals in 54 games for Norway. The Manchester City star has averaged over 40 goals a season since joining the Premier League. Haaland doesn't need much contact with the ball,to influence the course of the match. Against Iraq, he had 20 touches of the ball, but still scored two goals. In Norway's next match against Senegal, he scored two goals in 22 touches. Haaland now has five goals in three World Cup games after scoring the winner against Ivory Coast in the round of 16. **Mexico vs. England** **Raúl Jiménez** Attacker Jiménez has been a fixture in the Mexican national team for nine years. He has 127 appearances for El Tri and 46 goals, making him the second highest goalscorer in the team's history. Jiménez and his partner Julián Quiñones were crucial to Mexico's attack. Quiñones opened the scoring against Ecuador before Jiménez scored the second goal. If Mexico are to eliminate England, chances are it will be thanks to a Jiménez goal. **Harry Kane** Attacker England's greatest ever goalscorer is showing no signs of slowing down at this Championship. Kane has now scored 84 goals for England in his career and has overtaken Gary Lineker to become the Three Lions' top scorer at the World Cup. He has two two-goal appearances, including in England's last match against DR Congo. His second goal, which showed his precision and shooting ability, secured the victory in the 86th minute. England face a difficult task in Mexico City against the hosts, but no one will be surprised if Kane finds the net in the toughest of conditions. **USA vs. Belgium** **Christian Pulisic** Attacker Pulisic performed very well at this championship. Although he missed the second half of the USA's match against Paraguay and the entire match against Australia, Pulisic returned for a cameo against Turkey and started the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The US attack will rely on him on the left wing whenever he is on the pitch. The key figure for the USA against Belgium will be striker Ricardo Pepi, who will probably enter the starting eleven instead of the suspended Folarin Balogun. At just 23 years old, Pepi has already played 41 times and scored 13 goals for the national team. For a reserve striker, he is one of the best. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Julian Quinones: Mexico's Rising Star Ahead of England Clash](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/julian-quinones-mexicos-rising-star-ahead-of-england-clash) 2. [Lamine Yamal: 'It's an honor to play against Cristiano Ronaldo'](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/lamine-yamal-its-an-honor-to-play-against-cristiano-ronaldo)