The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 has delivered absolute drama on and off the pitch across Canada, Mexico and the US. Photo: AFP
The first 48-team World Cup has provided a thrilling spectacle and a string of compelling storylines. Here, we pick out some of the key talking points after more than five weeks of action in Canada, Mexico and the US.
The race for the Golden Boot caught fire early and has remained absorbing until the final weekend. The names at the top of the charts are a who's who of the world's top marksmen — including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Mbappé, who scored twice in France's 6-4 defeat by England in Saturday's third-place play-off, leads Messi by two goals with just Sunday's final to come. The Frenchman is also now the top goalscorer in World Cup history — with 22 to his name across three tournaments, one ahead of Messi.
Debutants Cape Verde finished the group stage unbeaten and advanced from a section that included former champions Spain and Uruguay.
