Ghana defender Marvin Senaya has been named in Opta Sports’ Best XI of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage after a series of impressive performances for the Black Stars.
The AJ Auxerre right-back featured in all three of Ghana’s group matches against Panama, England and Croatia, playing a key role in the team’s defensive performances as they progressed through the opening phase of the tournament.
Senaya delivered one of his standout displays against England, where he successfully neutralised the threat posed by winger Anthony Gordon throughout the encounter.
His disciplined defensive performance earned widespread praise and highlighted his growing influence in the Ghanaian backline.
The 24-year-old’s statistics further underscore his impact. He registered a tournament-leading 18 tackle attempts during the group stage and won 24 of his 38 duels, reflecting his effectiveness in one-on-one defensive situations.
According to Opta’s advanced analytics, Senaya also posted a 72 per cent success rate in “true tackles”—a metric that credits defenders for successfully making contact with the ball during tackles, even if possession is not immediately retained.
The figure ranked him among the competition’s top defensive performers.
His performances secured him a place in Opta’s Team of the Group Stage alongside Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, Cape Verde’s Diney, and Japan’s Nakamura in defence.
The midfield comprises United States international Weston McKennie and Ecuador’s Pedro Vite, while the attacking line-up features Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Vinícius Júnior.
What is Opta’s Best XI?
Opta’s Best XI is a performance-based team selected by Opta Sports, one of the world’s leading sports data and analytics companies.
Unlike traditional Team of the Tournament selections, which are often based on expert opinion or fan voting, Opta’s Best XI is determined using detailed statistical analysis and advanced performance metrics.
The company tracks thousands of on-field actions during every match—including passing accuracy, duels won, tackles, interceptions, chances created, and defensive efficiency—to generate performance ratings.
The highest-rated player in each position is then selected based on objective data rather than subjective assessment.
Senaya’s inclusion in the Best XI reflects his outstanding defensive contributions during the group stage and reinforces his emergence as one of Ghana’s standout performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
