The opening round of matches at the 2026 World Cup has concluded, delivering a series of compelling performances.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé demonstrated why they are among the game’s elite, each delivering standout performances on the same day, while emerging talents like 40‑year‑old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha seized the spotlight. A rapid rise from 50,000 to 10 million followers in days underscores the historic nature of such displays.
While several players have attracted attention, the question remains: who truly excelled in the first 24 games? Sky Sports’ True Performance metric is designed to answer that.
What is ‘True Performance’?
True Performance is Sky Sports’ proprietary method for evaluating each player’s display in the 2026 World Cup. Leveraging a Power Ranking system that considers over 40 data points, each player receives a score out of 100, with weighting adjusted for position. For instance, a goal by a forward carries greater weight than an identical contribution from a defender who also concedes multiple goals and makes errors. This approach assesses performance relative to peers and positional expectations.
In essence, the metric gauges a player’s output against both competition and positional standards.
So, did Messi claim the top spot? Did Mbappé dominate? Or did an unexpected player rise to the summit? Let’s explore.
Kane England’s main man – but off the pace of rivals
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Sky Sports’ Jay Bothroyd and Jamie Weir analyse Harry Kane’s man-of-the-match display in England’s opening match against Croatia
England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas was one of the most exciting performances from a Three Lions team at a major tournament in recent memory. Especially the second half.
On paper, there were several who put on a noteworthy display. Noni Madueke impressed on his World Cup debut, as did Elliot Anderson. Statistically though, they were off the pace.
Only two England players returned with a score of 90+. Jude Bellingham silenced the doubters and proved his supporters right with a showing that highlighted his penchant for the big occasions. His second-half strike guided him to a score of 90.0 exactly, aided by a steady and efficient display at both ends of the pitch.
Unsurprisingly, it was Harry Kane who took the crown for Thomas Tuchel’s side with a score of 92.0. The captain scored twice, was the most constant presence in the opposition penalty area with seven shots and outperformed his xG by nearly double. Important to note too, his missed penalty was not factored into the equation as a retake was ordered. It is as if it never happened.
Harry Kane’s heatmap and shotmap vs Croatia
Despite leading his country to another triumph, Kane’s performance did not rank among the top ten opening‑match displays. His contributions were eclipsed by Erling Haaland’s debut, who scored 93.7, and Alexander Isak’s showing for Sweden earned 93.6. Kane still has ground to cover to reach those heights.
How good was Vozinha’s display really?
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Hayley McQueen brings your bite-sized roundup of everything you need to know from the 2026 World Cup, the morning after Cape Verde shocked Spain with a draw and Bukayo Saka confirming he is fully fit to face Croatia
He was mentioned earlier, but Cape Verde shotstopper Vozinha won over the hearts of the world – minus Spaniards – with his incredible showing against the European champions.
He became the first 40-year-old to make seven or more saves in a World Cup game aged 40+ since Pat Jennings in 1986. He also had the most touches of any Cape Verde player with 78.
It was a heroic display that will live long in the memory and left him with a score of 93.4. But how did that compare to the tournament’s other ‘keepers?
Vozinha kept a clean sheet against Spain despite having the fourth highest xG against
Only one other goalkeeper landed a score in the nineties: Scotland’s Angus Gunn. As for other notable names, Jordan Pickford scored 42.8. Thibaut Courtois a measly 20.4. Manuel Neuer returned to international football only to pick up and 18.4.
It really puts into perspective just how heroic Vozinha was.
‘Just’ what the doctor ordered
New Zealand’s Elijah Just celebrates after scoring against Iran
Heading into the World Cup, New Zealand were the lowest-ranked side in the competition. 82nd in the FIFA world rankings, many would’ve predicted them to have been one of the teams to leave the tournament without a point.
However, thanks to one man, they remain firmly in the hunt for a place in the knockout stages. Elijah Just’s double saw Darren Bazeley’s side earn a point against Iran, which leaves them standing tall in Group G thanks to Egypt and Belgium also drawing.
Not only did Just find the net twice, but the winger was also a top-three performer on the night in chances created, final third passes and with a conversion rate of 100 per cent, it was efficiency at its finest from the Motherwell star.
Messi and Mbappe top the charts – but are split by one man
Lionel Messi’s touch map and shot map versus Algeria
Finally, who topped the early rankings after the opening 24 matches? Following his hat‑trick against Algeria, Messi appeared unstoppable. He recorded three goals, created the most chances, touched the ball the most in the opponent’s box, and made the second‑most forward passes—an extensive list of statistics.
Consequently, Messi received a perfect 100 rating. While this may not represent a flawless performance, it establishes a benchmark for the remainder of the tournament. Should another player deliver a superior display, that score could decline, but for now it remains the target for everyone else.
Perhaps more intriguing is that Mbappé’s standout performance against Senegal did not even secure him second place; instead, a surprising name claimed the bronze position.
The player is Yasin Ayari from Brighton. Indeed, on the world’s biggest stage alongside the sport’s biggest stars, a participant who had started fewer than half of his 29 Premier League appearances still shone.
Although his goal contribution tally was lower than that of his compatriot Isak, his double from midfield placed him above every other midfielder. Players such as Vitinha, Pedri, and Declan Rice pale in comparison to the 22‑year‑old’s impact. None could match his contribution.
