Latest World Cup 2026 takeaways: Can anyone stop the French machine?

"MVP will always be Kylian, because Kylian will put up numbers that no one can do," former French star/Fox analyst Thierry Henry said postgame. "But the most important player is Michael Olise."

Olise has five assists at the 2026 World Cup. Citing OptaJoe, The Athletic reported that the only player to have more in a World Cup was Brazilian legend Pele (six) in 1970. Clearly, this most important player thing isn't just a hot take.

This may be the best Golden Boot race ever 

Much of the talk at the 2026 World Cup has focused on Messi and Mbappe, and rightfully so. They're tied for the most goals scored at the World Cup (six). Mbappe needs two more goals to tie his career high at a World Cup. Messi needs one. 

But let's not sleep on Norwegian forward Erling Haaland, who's playing in his first World Cup. He's now third in goals at the tournament (five) after scoring in the 85th minute of a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

Norway will need Haaland to net more goals in its next match against Brazil on Sunday at MetLife Stadium (Fox/Telemundo, 4 p.m. ET). It's won 16 consecutive matches when he scores. It can count on him doing that. 

Haaland ranks first in the tournament in expected goals (3.63). Expected goals are an advanced statistic that measures the probability that a shot will result in a goal. Messi ranks second in this stat (3.08), while Mbappe ranks sixth (2.43). His efficiency makes him a potential dark horse in what may be one of, if not the best, Golden Boot chase at a World Cup. That award is given to the tournament's top goal-scorer.

Mexico's fan base could be its difference-maker for rest of World Cup 

Mexico may not field a team that's as talented as France or other squads. But it does have one advantage over those teams: a raucous fan base. 

Just listen to it erupt after Julian Quinones gave Mexico a 1-0 lead over Ecuador in the 22nd minute of Tuesday's match at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City.

"Our home crowd is our 12th man," Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre said before the 2-0 win, per ESPN. "I don't mean to say we don't have support elsewhere, but we are aware that we have a whole country behind us, and that motivates us a lot. I would say that we're all excited about what's to come." 

Mexico will face England or Congo DR in the Round of 16 on Sunday (Fox/Telemundo, 8 p.m. ET) at the same venue. Consider that a one-goal advantage.