The 2026 World Cup group stage is nearing its end, with the final round of fixtures getting under way.
As is often the case, a fair few of the World Cup groups are pretty much done and dusted, with some teams already having booked their place in the knockout stages. For others, the World Cup dream is over for another four years.
So the final round of fixtures can bring squad rotation, with rare opportunities for fringe players or cult heroes. One of the big names already set to play is Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, a legend of the World Cup.
But who are some other names we’re looking forward to potentially seeing?
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Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)
- Opponent: Czech Republic
Ochoa has played 153 times for Mexico across his career, and will turn 41 before the 2026 World Cup is up. Eleven of those appearances have been at World Cups, and he is set to play game number 12 this week.
Over the past few tournaments, Ochoa has become synonymous with Mexico and the World Cup. For some, he’s a name you only hear every four years having had an unspectacular European club career. So, some fans were upset to see Mexico’s first starting XI of the tournament not include Ochoa. Of course, he was never going to be Mexico’s first-choice goalkeeper at this tournament, but it’ll be nice to see him get one last hurrah — assuming he won’t be playing in the knockout stages.
Alphonso Davies (Canada)
- Opponent: Switzerland
Davies wrote himself into Canada’s history books four years ago by scoring their first ever goal at the World Cup finals. The Canucks skipper was expected to be a poster boy for the co-hosts at this World Cup but for injury.
The Bayern Munich defender has been an unused substitute in each of Canada’s opening two games, with Jesse Marsch opting not to risk him. However, with his side only needing a point to guarantee their place in the knockout stages, he may be given an opportunity to build his match sharpness against the Swiss.
Memphis Depay (Netherlands)
- Opponent: Tunisia
It’s strange to think it’s been 12 years since Depay opened his goalscoring account for the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup, when they reached the semi-finals. Since then, he has gone on to become their all-time leading marksman.
The Corinthians forward has been restricted to a couple of substitute appearances so far in North America. Yet with the Dutch only needing a point against already eliminated Tunisia, it is surely an opportunity for him to add to his international tally.
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Nico Williams (Spain)
- Opponent: Uruguay
Williams played a starring role in Spain’s surge to glory at Euro 2024, notably scoring the opener in their 2-1 victory over England in the final. The Athletic Bilbao was expected to build on that momentum at this World Cup, but an injury-hit season put his participation in doubt.
Nevertheless, much like Lamine Yamal, Luis de la Fuente has carefully managed his minutes, restricting him to a couple of cameos off the bench thus far. Spain are all but through to the knockout stages with four points to their name, so Williams may be given his chance from the start against Uruguay.
Rafael Leao (Portugal)
- Opponent: Colombia
Similarly to Williams, Leao’s sheer pace, power and trickery down the flanks is the stuff of nightmares for many a full-back. The AC Milan winger appeared as a second-half substitute against DR Congo, and was also named on the bench against Uzbekistan.
It was surprising not to see him included from the start against the Congolese, as he would have provided a different dimension with Portugal struggling to find that creative spark for large periods of the contest. However, he marked his 10-minute cameo against the Uzbeks with a superb first-time finish, and will hope for an opportunity to start the final group game against Colombia – especially if his side are all but guaranteed a place in the round of 32.
Nick Woltemade (Germany)
- Opponent: Ecuador
This time 12 months ago, Woltemade was playing a starring role for Germany at the European Under-21 Championship, top-scoring as they reached the final before narrowly losing out to England. His performances prompted Newcastle United to fork out big money to bring him to St James’ Park.
The 24-year-old’s impact on Tyneside has divided opinion, but he would have loved the chance to build some momentum during the 7-1 rout of Curacao. However, he was an unused substitute in that game, as well as the dramatic victory over Ivory Coast. Nevertheless, with progress secured and Julian Nagelsmann likely to rotate, Woltemade could get his chance to make a mark against Ecuador.
Marcus Thuram (France)
- Opponent: Norway
Despite the envious options at France’s disposal, displacing a certain Kylian Mbappe at the spearhead of the attack is extremely unlikely to happen over the next few weeks. The only hope for the likes of Thuram and Jean-Philippe Mateta is that Didier Deschamps chooses to rest the skipper against Norway, or that he is moved out to the wing.
Thuram, fresh from winning another Scudetto with Inter, has been restricted to a second-half stoppage-time appearance from the bench so far, replacing Mbappe right at the end of the victory over Iraq. Therefore, he will desperate for a decent chance to stake his claim in the battle for top spot in Group I.
Nico Paz (Argentina)
- Opponent: Jordan
The playmaker earned a call-up to the World Cup squad following an impressive Serie A season with Como, who he helped secure Champions League football next term. Paz registered the most goals and direct involvements among midfielders in the Italian top flight.
However, he has had to be patient for his opportunity on the biggest stage of all, only playing the final 10 minutes of the 3-0 win over Algeria. With Argentina already through in commanding fashion, Lionel Scaloni should rotate against already eliminated Jordan, and Paz will hope to be one of the players given a chance from the start.
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