Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher (Ireland)
Troy Parrott will take the headlines but Kelleher was just as important during Ireland’s fairytale week. A clean sheet against Portugal and decisive saves against Hungary kept Ireland in the game before Parrott’s heroics at the end. Kelleher’s been Ireland’s most consistent player throughout the qualifiers and has been a major part of their run to the World Cup play-offs.
Defence: Julian Ryerson (Norway)
Norway reached their first major tournament since Euro 2000, and it wasn’t all down to Haaland’s goals. Dortmund’s Ryerson was instrumental in Norway’s win over Estonia on Thursday, contributing two vital assists, one converted by Haaland and the other by Sørloth. Against Italy he didn’t contribute any goals or assists, but was part of the impressive team performance that came away 4-1 victors.
Defence: Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)
Mbemba delivered when it mattered the most. The DR Congo captain stepped up to convert the winning penalty that saw the nation win the African play-off final and take one step closer to the 2026 World Cup. The Congolese back four had the unenviable task of keeping out a Nigerian front three of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, but were able to restrict the Super Eagles and take the game to penalties, which they went on to win 4-3.
Defence: Joško Gvardiol (Croatia)
Faroe Islands raised a few eyebrows when they took an early lead, but Gvardiol’s drilled equaliser soon set Croatia on the way to a 3-1 victory and qualification for next year’s World Cup. The Croatian squad is in transition, with the old guard of Modric and Perisic still going strong, but Gvardiol is certainly emerging as the leader of the new wave coming through.
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary)
It was heartbreak in the end for Szoboszlai as Troy Parrott’s hat-trick ended Hungary’s World Cup qualification hopes, but his brilliant individual season continued with an assist against both Armenia and Ireland. For a player of Szoboszlai’s quality not to be at the tournament will be a great miss.
Midfield: João Neves (Portugal)
Portugal recovered from their shock defeat against the Irish with a comprehensive 9-1 destruction of Armenia. With Ronaldo suspended, there was an opportunity for the rest of the team to step into the spotlight – João Neves didn’t need a second invitation. The PSG midfielder scored a hat-trick with an impressive range of finishes. Portugal’s automatic qualification has increased the likelihood that their talisman will miss two group stage matches; giving Neves and co. another chance to shine.
Midfield: Casemiro (Brazil)
It’s been nearly 18 months since Jamie Carragher’s infamous quip that Casemiro should leave football before it leaves him. Since then, the midfielder has returned to form both for the national team and Manchester United. In Brazil’s friendly against Senegal, Casemiro was on the scoresheet and marshalled the middle of the park as part of an impressive partnership with Bruno Guimarães.
Midfield: Michael Olise (France)
Olise impressed at Crystal Palace but has reached new heights since his move to Bayern Munich. He has cemented his starting position for France – his creativity has made him arguably as important to Les Bleus as Mbappé. He was rested against Azerbaijan but was easily the standout player during the rampant 4-0 victory over Ukraine.
Forward: Estêvão (Brazil)
What a talent Estêvão looks to be already – at the tender age of 18.
Deployed on the right of Ancelotti’s 4-2-2-2 system, the young winger was a livewire throughout, scoring the opener and rightfully being awarded MOTM. In a Brazil team stacked with attacking talent, Estêvão is more than holding his own.
Forward: Erling Haaland (Norway)
Haaland’s goals have fired Norway to the World Cup; he grabbed 16 throughout the qualifiers and scored in every game. It’s been over a year since Haaland last blanked for his nation.
Against Italy, he scored twice, helping secure Norway’s fourth ever World Cup appearance. With Haaland in this kind of form, no team will fancy coming up against them.
Forward: Troy Parrott (Ireland)
A fairytale week for Parrott and Ireland. Coming into the international break, Ireland sat third of Group F on four points, trailing their upcoming opponents Hungary and Portugal. What followed was two consecutive surprise victories, powered by five goals for Troy Parrott – including the all-important last minute winner against Hungary.
Parrott became the first Irish player to score a competitive hat-trick since Robbie Keane in 2014; should Ireland hope to advance through the play-offs they’ll need Parrott to channel his inner Robbie Keane again.
