The 2026 World Cup in 26 unforgettable moments

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Well, this stinks.After six glorious and chaotic weeks, the World Cup is over. Now we’re going to have to find something else to do with our afternoons. Besides monitoring Erling Haaland’s Instagram account to see if he got any new Birkins or stuffed raccoons, of course.To help stave off that post-World Cup hangover, here are 26 moments that defined the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.Spain’s stifling title runBe honest. That pre-World Cup favorite label looked awfully suspect when La Roja struggled against little Cape Verde, a tournament first timer, in their first game. But as the best teams do, Spain grew into the tournament.It did not trail the entire World Cup and conceded only one goal in eight games. Its semifinal smothering of Kylian Mbappé and France was stunning. And while the final wasn’t the most exciting game, Spain was clearly the best team on the field and is very deserving of its second World Cup title.Argentina’s hot messesArgentina took everyone on a roller coaster ride at this World Cup. Not one of those pedestrian ones with a single drop and one curve, either. A hair-raising, stomach-dropping screamer that requires a warning sign before you board.After cruising through the group stage, Lionel Messi and the Albicelestes flirted with disaster in every knockout game. It needed overtime to get by Cape Verde. It survived Egypt because of an defensive collapse by the Pharoahs, who had a two-goal lead up to the 78th minute only to lose 3-2.Then came another overtime win in the quarterfinal, this one against Switzerland. Another defensive collapse, this one by England, which parked the bus far too early and paid for it with a 2-1 loss.Finally, the final, where Argentina didn’t have a single shot through the end of regulation. Not shots on goal. Shots of any kind. Even worse, the Albicelestes completely lost their composure, with Leandro Paredes getting a deserved red card for attacking Eric Garcia after the final whistle.Third-place game gone wildSpeaking of hot messes … The third-place game is the World Cup’s equivalent to a dentist appointment. You know you have to do it, but you hate every second of it.Not this time! France and England’s raucous, 10-goal match was so delightful we wouldn’t have been mad if it had gone longer.The 10 goals were the most in a World Cup game since 1982. Bukayo Saka had a hat trick. Mbappé’s brace secured the Golden Boot. There were four goals in the final 32 minutes, one of which was a penalty.And the soccer gods rewarded Jude Bellingham for letting Saka take that PK to complete the hat trick, as he closed out the scoring with a goal in the 98th minute to end the insanity.May all future third-place games have this kind of anarchy.Kylian Mbappé's Golden BootsMbappé now has a Golden Boot for each of his feet.For the second consecutive World Cup, the French star led all scorers. He had a whopping 10 goals, two more than Messi, and four assists. The 10 goals tie Germany’s Gerd Müller for third-most at a single World Cup.It’s not just on the field where Mbappé shines. He called out racist comments by a Paraguayan lawmaker, and took to social media to deliver a heartfelt tribute to Didier Deschamps before the longtime France coach’s last game.“I feel privileged to have been able to be at your side for one of the greatest moments of our country and I will have only the best memories of all that we have lived and accomplished together,” Mbappé wrote.“I wish you the best in your new adventure, and again thank you for all that you brought to this jersey that is so important to me.”Lionel Messi lives up to the hypeEven if it didn’t end with a second title, or a Golden Boot, the greatest to ever play the game gave us another incredible World Cup.The 39-year-old opened the tournament with a hat trick and finished with eight goals and four assists. Two of those assists came in the semifinal against England, when Messi orchestrated a post-84th minute comeback from certain defeat.“The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal,” Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday, July 20. “But I also hold on to all the good… The matches we turned around, giving our all, which will forever remain in our memories, the support of an entire country that, together with the hard work and effort of this group, led us to be, once again, among the best in the world.”Erling Haaland owns 'Most Interesting Man'Norway’s striker was the Most Interesting Man of the World Cup, and it wasn’t even close.From his collection of high-end Birkin bags to his trip to buy a cowboy hat in Dallas to walking off the plane back home with a stuffed raccoon in tow, Haaland was pure fun. Even better, the Manchester City star embraced his bigger and brighter spotlight, interacting with fans on social media, leading the Norway row and talking hair strength with Zlatan Ibrahimović.“It’s kind of difficult to take in this kind of show or rollercoaster we’ve been in now for the last six weeks. It’s been so much,” Haaland said after Norway was eliminated by England in the quarterfinals. “I think it’s changed Norway. I think it’s changed me.“In the end, I’m just proud,” Haaland added. “I’ve been so proud every single day here now, since we qualified.”Never change, Erling Haaland. Never change.Keyne Yamal steals the showLamine Yamal, one of soccer’s brightest young stars, has more than 50 million followers on Instagram.He might not even be the biggest star in his own family.Yamal’s little brother Keyne stole hearts around the globe during this World Cup. The 3-year-old was seen on camera screaming “Vamos!” during Spain games, making faces and having adorable reunions with his big brother.He even had a starring role in Spain’s celebration of its World Cup title, posing with his big brother and the trophy."I don't think he's realized," Lamine Yamal said earlier in the tournament. "He does what he does at home and when the camera is on him, he does something goofy."When he's older, he'll see it. I like that people have so much love for him. I like seeing him on the screen. He entertains me."Same, Lamine Yamal. Same.Vozinha was the only answer to SpainStories like Vozinha’s are why we can’t quit you, World Cup.The 40-year-old from tiny Cape Verde, who plays professionally in Portugal’s second division, was the only goalkeeper to keep Spain scoreless, making seven saves against the eventual World Cup champions. That’s like an NBA G-leaguer holding LeBron to a couple of free throws.He also had eight saves as Cape Verde nearly pulled off an upset of Argentina in the round of 32.And, and, and! After the World Cup opener, when Vozinha broke down in tears because his mother wasn't there to watch it, fans saw to it that she was able to come to the World Cup.Cape Verde keeper’s mom finally arrives in Miami before his next matchAfter his standout performance, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s mom, Ana Candida Evora, arrives in Miami for his next match with help from fans.By the time the World Cup was over, Vozinha's Instagram following had swelled from about 50,000 to more than 29 million.“I'm very grateful and very happy for everything that (has) happened in my life. Of course, I never (expected) that, but it's been like crazy, insane,” Vozinha said during a July 16 appearance on CBS Mornings.A game so good it cost Harry Kane his voiceThe England-Mexico game in the round of 16 was an instant classic.Not only was El Tri undefeated through their first four games, they hadn’t given up a goal. Then England came to town. With a raucous crowd rocking the Azteca, Jude Bellingham scored twice in a two-minute span and Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 60th that would prove to be the game winner.But Mexico kept pushing for a goal, and England had to turn back wave after wave of frantic attacks. When it finally ended, Kane’s voice was gone.“Speechless," a squeaky-voiced Kane said after the 3-2 win. "I can't even talk."Germany, the Netherlands disappointGermany and the Netherlands were top-10 teams coming into the World Cup. Both were gone before the round of 16.Since winning its fourth men’s title in Brazil in 2014, Germany hasn't won a knockout game. It didn’t make it out of the group stage at the last two World Cups. While it won its group in this tournament, it skidded into the round of 32 off a loss to Ecuador and then lost to Paraguay in penalties in one of the largest knockout-round upsets in World Cup history.The Netherlands, meanwhile, had their worst showing ever at a World Cup. Sure, it’s because there was an extra knockout round here because of the expanded field. But still. The Dutch, who had gotten to the quarterfinals or better in each of their last appearances, had never gone out before the round of 16 before.Womp, womp. Paraguay-Germany goes to penaltiesGiving the underdogs hope!Paraguay came into the World Cup ranked 31st in the World and was taking on No. 10 Germany in the round of 32. A mismatch right?Yes. But it turns out the mismatch was for Germany.Paraguay jumped out to an early lead and managed to keep Germany at bay. Though Germany scored an equalizer, they couldn’t find the game-winner through the end of regulation or overtime, and it wound up going to penalties.Orlando Gill, who’d been ridiculed after Paraguay’s 4-1 loss to the United States in the opener, saved two penalties, including Germany’s opener by Kai Havertz. Paraguay would advance, 4-3 on PKs. 48-team World CupI’ll admit, I was a skeptic of the expanded World Cup. And by a skeptic, I mean deadest against it, thinking it would dilute the quality of play.I was wrong. So, so wrong.Sure, the tournament wound up going chalk, but the early rounds were filled with upsets and unexpectedly exciting games. Cape Verde taking it to Spain. Cape Verde taking it to Argentina. Norway beating Senegal. Congo getting its first-ever World Cup goal. Ghana holding England to a draw.There were a few stinkers, of course, but that’s going to happen at any tournament. By including more teams, it gives smaller, less accomplished countries something to strive for and raises the level of the game worldwide.Messi and Lamine Yamal's early meetcuteIt started in a bathtub and ended in a World Cup final.It was both sweet and surreal to see Lamine Yamal and Messi on the same field for a World Cup final, knowing their first meeting came almost 19 years ago, when the Spain star was an infant. Yamal’s parents had won a raffle for a photoshoot with a Barcelona player, and they were paired with Messi. There are photos of the 20-year-old Messi cradling the 5-month-old Yamal, and giving him a bath.Fast forward to the final whistle after Sunday’s final. As Messi sat on the ground in shock and sadness, Yamal approached. Messi stood, and Yamal reached out, first with a handshake and then with a hug.They’d come full circle.USMNT and fans' 'Country Roads' singalongThe U.S. men’s national team made no secret that gaining new fans and bringing more people to the game of soccer was part of their objective at this World Cup.It was evident they’d accomplished that by the “Country Roads” singalong at Lumen Field.The stadium remained full following the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia in the group stage. As the players made their way around the field saluting fans and singing “Country Roads,” fans joined in and together they belted out the song. “Just walking around, it was incredible,” Tyler Adams said. “Looking at my family and the crowd, singing, everyone happy. … It was a fun one today.”Balogun’s red card controversyThe USMNT’s feel-good story came to a screeching halt with Folarin Balogun’s red card.Well, not his card. The overturning of the suspension for it after President Donald Trump acted like a mob boss and “asked” FIFA president Gianni Infantino to intercede so Balogun could play in the round-of-16 game against Belgium.It didn’t matter that FIFA had done something similar so Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t miss any games at this World Cup. Suddenly, we were back to being the ugly Americans, throwing our weight around and demanding things we had not earned.The furor took a toll on the USMNT, which looked utterly shambolic in a 4-1 loss that was, quite frankly, even worse than the score indicated. It also fired up Belgium, which had seemed to be on borrowed time until that point. “I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves,” Balogun said in an interview with CBS Mornings. “Because it is something that is so unique. The closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could, but it was difficult. A lot of outside noise and that’s hard to avoid.”Balogun, Freeman, Tillman and hopeSpeaking of the USMNT, the future is bright thanks to Balogun, Alex Freeman and Malik Tillman. The three were clearly the best players on the USMNT roster at this World Cup, and this is only the beginning for them.Balogun, who led the USMNT with three goals, is 25. Freeman, an anchor on the back line who scored against Australia, was the youngster of the team at 21. Tillman, who had two goals and an assist, is 24.Start getting your hopes up for 2030.Host cities show off American hospitalityThe host cities did this country proud. All the games went off without a hitch, with friendly volunteers and residents eager to welcome visitors. We filled stadiums and Fan Fests. In the cities that served as base camps, the teams were treated like treasured guests.The people of Lawrence, Kansas, even learned Algeria’s national anthem to make Les Fennecs feel more at home.Well done, America. We’re pretty great when we put our minds to it.Eloy Room puts on a show in goalThe Curacao goalkeeper stood on his head in the group-stage game against Ecuador. His 15 saves were a World Cup record for regulation, and second to the 16 saves USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard had in a 2014 game against Belgium that went to overtime.Belgium’s frenetic comeback against SenegalProbably best to not mention VAR around Senegal players anytime soon.Senegal was four minutes and stoppage time from upsetting Belgium in the round of 32, only to have Romelo Lukaku and Youri Tielemans score to force extra time. Then, just before the end of extra time, Tielemans was fouled on a low cross into the box.VAR awarded a penalty, Tielemans smashed it and Senegal was out in a stunner.“We’re devastated,” Habib Diarra said.The lesson from this World Cup? Bunkering down leads to bad things. Always play through the whistle.Norway's Viking row tradition goes viralWe’re never going to hear “row” without thinking of Norway’s fans.Their “Viking row” tradition went viral early in the tournament, and soon people were doing it in Times Square. On escalators. All over Norway. Erling Haaland and the team even did it after they qualified for the knockout round.Merlin the Duck's star turnMexico’s superfan had feathers and a beak.Merlin the Duck became a star after he was spotted waddling around Mexico City in an El Tri jersey and custom socks.The 2-year-old duck belongs to Carla Gomez, and follows Gomez and her son Christian as they sell drinks from a cart in Mexico City’s tourist areas. Gomez said the duck accompanies them because they don’t like to leave it alone."For us it has been a surprise, truly," Gomez told Reuters. “The fact that Merlin is the ​unofficial mascot of the World Cup ... we feel very pleased ​about such ⁠a situation and above all that people love my duck."Mexico City's cutest World Cup fan is Merlin the duckMerlin just might be Mexico City's cutest World Cup superfan. The duck charms crowds in a little El Tri jersey.The Tartan Army takes overBoston is never going to forget the visit from The Tartan Army.Scotland’s fan base took over the city, draining it of its beer, playing bagpipes, renting yellow school buses and leaving traffic cones in their wake. And Boston loved it.For the first three weeks of the tournament, stories about Scottish fans bonding with people in New England abounded. Neighbors inviting them over for barbecues. Having drinks with them. Joining in their watch parties and celebrations."Boston, you've embraced us like long-lost cousins who turned up unannounced, drank all your beer, decorated your statues, and somehow remained welcome. You are all welcome back to ours to keep this party going,” The Tartan Army wrote in a thank you note to the city."We loved making memories together. Stories will be told down through future generations in Boston and in Scotland."Iran's composureIran was the model of class and composure despite the U.S. government doing everything it could to ensure Team Melli’s early exit from the World Cup.Team Melli became a pawn in the political turmoil between Iran and the United States. It was forced to move its base camp to Tijuana, Mexico, at the eleventh hour after the U.S. government restricted how long it could be in the country. Several members of its delegation were denied visas to the United States.The team also was not allowed to arrive in Los Angeles until 24 hours before its first two group games and made to leave immediately afterward.Though Iran’s players and coach repeatedly criticized their treatment, they did it in respectful fashion.“You cannot deny that our situation has (not) been the same as all the other teams," midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi said.Markwayne Mullin, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, wasn’t nearly as gracious."I’m just glad they’re done and not coming back,” Mullin said. "I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas. … I might have sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance.”Not exactly a gracious host.Standing Congo fanYou think you ride hard for your favorite team? Congo fan Lumumba Vea put you to shame.Vea, whose real name is Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, stood for the entirety of the World Cup games he attended, dressed in a colorful suit and with his arm raised. He does it to honor Congo's first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, who helped lead the country to independence from Belgium in 1960 before being assassinated a year later.Ranch dressing goes globalWho knew so much of the world didn’t know about ranch dressing? And who knew once they discovered it, they wouldn’t be able to get enough of it?Ranch dressing became the surprise must-have-souvenir of the World Cup, with fans running afoul of TSA when they tried to bring it home with them. Ranch dressing, made with buttermilk, mayonnaise, herbs and spices, is a uniquely American product and was not widely known or available outside of a handful of countries.Meeting the moment, Kraft made TSA-compliant pouches of ranch dressing. Enterprising airport stores also set up displays of full-size bottles of ranch after security.Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović, they’re just like us!One of the highlights of Fox’s studio coverage was watching Ibrahimović and, to a lesser degree, Henry diss and dismiss Alexi Lalas. Lalas has a long history of being obnoxious and overbearing, and Fox has enabled if not encouraged it.But Lalas is a lightweight when compared with Henry and Ibrahimović.Sure, Lalas parlayed his role on the USMNT at the 1994 World Cup into being the first American to play in Italy’s Serie A. But Henry is a World Cup champion and two-time FIFA Player of the Year. Ibrahimović scored more than 500 career goals and won league titles in Italy, Spain and France.One of these folks is not like the other, and it was Lalas.“America,” Zlatan said early in the tournament after Lalas was suddenly absent from the studio, “you’re welcome.”