World Cup 2026: the best individual duels of the group stage
He lottery for him World Cup 2026, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada, fired the imagination of all soccer fans on the planet. And one of the most attractive ideas has to do with the confrontations that will occur between big stars.
See the titans of this sport face to face always motivates. In this case, with the extra seasoning that each of them will be defending their country’s shirt. Various styles. Different personalities. Multiple features.
Here we present the individual duels that, in the preview, generate greater expectations.
Kylian Mbappé (France) vs. Erling Haaland (Norway)
The French team, current runners-up in the world, did not have much luck in the draw. But for those who are neither French nor Norwegian, seeing the great Kiki, who is in an excellent individual moment and – we know – is even more enhanced when he represents his country, against Erling Haaland, the relentless Nordic scorer (who is also at an enormous level) is very motivating.
Vinicius Jr. (Brazil) vs. Hakimi (Morocco)
The Real Madrid man is indebted to his National Team, since he has not yet had a consecrating performance with the Verdeamarelha, and he will seek to redeem himself in the World Cup. In the group stage he will be face to face with the Moroccan Hakimi, one of the best defenders on the planet. This will be a direct duel, since the Brazilian is a fully offensive footballer and there are great chances that he will try to dribble several times at the African team’s emblem.
Lamine Yamal (Spain) vs. Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
Group H will bring an exciting clash between one of the main candidates for the title, Spain, and the always tough Uruguay. Within that confrontation, there will be an individual crossover that will take all the spotlight: Yamal, star of Barcelona, against Valverde, standard bearer of Real Madrid. In addition to the morbidity that implies that at the club level they are archrival clubs, they play in the same area of the field, the midfield. Face-to-face meetings are guaranteed.
Luis Díaz (Colombia) vs. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Two mega-talented players will go head to head in Group K, when Colombia and Portugal face off. Lucho Díaz has been showing for years that he is made for big moments, and he will have to confirm this when he is face to face with one of the best players of this century, the enormous CR7. Although it is unlikely that one will have to mark the other during the match, they will surely face each other at more than one point.
Harry Kane (England) vs. Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
Another of the exciting direct duels that the group stage of the World Cup will bring is the one between England’s phenomenal scorer, Kane, against the one considered by many to be the best defender on the planet, the Croatian Gvardiol. The British is usually infallible when given a minimum of space, precisely what the Balkan does not usually give up.
Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador) vs. Joshua Kimmich (Germany)
Ecuador, from a very good South American tie, will seek to take advantage of Germany’s irregular moment to achieve a victory that would be historic. For that he will need a Moisés Caicedo at his best. Among other issues, to try to cut the German game circuit in the midfield, whose main architect is Kimmich. A hierarchy duel that promises to be electrifying.
