The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the largest tournament in the history of football. For the first time, 48 national teams took part, playing 104 matches and scoring a record 308 goals. Spain were crowned World Cup champions after beating Argentina in extra time in the final. This article summarises the key highlights of the 2026 World Cup, including the final result, the podium finishers, individual honours, records, top scorers, upsets and the tournament’s most memorable moments.
Contents
- Who won the 2026 World Cup
- Medal winners
- Top scorers
- Individual awards
- Most exciting matches
- Upsets
- New records
- Scandals
- What made the tournament memorable
Who won the 2026 World Cup
Spain secured victory in a tense match against Argentina. It was only in extra time that La Roja managed to beat the ‘Blue and Whites’ 1–0.
2026 World Cup Finalists
- Spain
- Argentina
- England
Top scorers of the 2026 World Cup
Thanks to the new competition format and record-breaking goal-scoring, the race for the ‘Golden Boot’ at the 2026 World Cup proved to be an incredibly thrilling spectacle. The top scorer was France’s Kylian Mbappé, who scored 10 goals and became the first player in history to win this award at two consecutive World Cups.
The 39-year-old Lionel Messi was hot on Mbappé’s heels right up to the very end, having scored 8 goals. However, in the final against Spain, the Argentine captain failed to find the net, settling for the tournament’s silver medal and second place in the top scorers’ standings.
Rank
1 Kylian Mbappé (France) 10 goals, 4 assists
2 Lionel Messi (Argentina) 8 goals, 4 assists
3 Jude Bellingham (England) 7 goals, 1 assist
4 Erling Haaland (Norway) 7 goals, 0 assists
5 Ousmane Dembélé (France) 6 goals, 2 assists
6 Harry Kane (England) 6 goals, 1 assist
7 Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) 5 goals, 1 assist
8 Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) 4 goals, 1 assist
9 Julián Quíñones (Mexico) 4 goals, 1 assist
10 Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) 4 goals, 1 assist
Individual awards at the 2026 World Cup
Rodri – Golden Ball
Kylian Mbappé – Golden Boot
Unai Simón – Golden Glove
Pau Kubarsi – Best Young Player
The most exciting matches of the tournament
England v France (6–4) — ‘Bronze’ madness and 10 goals
This third-place play-off went down in history as one of the highest-scoring and most entertaining matches in World Cup history.
Norway v Brazil (2–1) — Haaland’s triumph in the round of 16
This first-round knockout match proved to be a major disappointment for South American fans and a real celebration for Norway. The main highlight of the match was the clash between Neymar and Erling Haaland. Both star players managed to score for their respective national teams. The Norwegians demonstrated ironclad discipline in defence.
Thanks to their winning tactics and Haaland’s goal-scoring talent, the modest European side caused a major upset by knocking the five-time champions out of the tournament at such an early stage.
Cape Verde v Argentina (2–3 a.e.t.) — arguably the biggest upset in history
In the round of 32, the underdogs, the ‘Blue Sharks’ from Cape Verde, put the reigning world champions through a real ordeal.
Messi’s milestone goal
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, netting his 20th World Cup goal of his career.
The islanders’ fighting spirit
Cape Verde came back twice during the match. Goals from Deroy Duarte and a fantastic, beautifully struck shot by Sidney Cabral into the top corner of Emiliano Martínez’s goal took the game into extra time.
A tragic own goal
Defender Lisandro Martínez saved Argentina from a humiliating exit by scoring early in extra time, whilst a unfortunate own goal by Cape Verde defender Dini Borges in the 111th minute sealed the victory for the Argentines.
Egypt v Argentina (2–3) — A mad 11-minute comeback
In the very next round (the round of 16), Argentina once again found themselves on the brink of disaster, but staged one of the tournament’s finest comebacks.
The triumph of Salah and his team
Up until the 78th minute, Egypt were sensationally leading 2–0 thanks to goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. What’s more, Mohamed Salah and his teammates were in complete control of the game.
Messi failed to convert a penalty in the first half.
Championship character
The Argentines turned the match on its head with just eleven minutes remaining. In the 79th minute, Cristian Romero pulled one back.
In the 83rd minute, Lionel Messi equalised, sending the stands into a frenzy.
Last-minute drama
Just as everyone was expecting extra time, in the 90+2nd minute, Enzo Fernández headed home a cross to secure Argentina’s place in the quarter-finals. This was followed by heated arguments on the pitch over an earlier Egypt goal that had been disallowed following a VAR review.
2026 World Cup statistics
Teams: 48
Matches: 104
Goals: 308
Average goals per match: 2.96
Highest-scoring match: England v France 6–4
Major surprises of the tournament
• the debut of 48 national teams;
• Cape Verde’s historic performance;
• Norway’s progress to the quarter-finals;
• Uzbekistan’s debut;
• Brazil’s early exit.
Read more about the tournament’s major highlights in the article ‘Standout matches and major surprises of the 2026 World Cup’.
New World Cup records
48 teams;
104 matches;
308 goals;
Mbappé — two consecutive ‘Golden Boots’;
Emiliano Martínez’s save record.
The biggest scandals of the 2026 World Cup
a brawl after the final;
hydration breaks;
red cards in the final.
How the favourites fared at the 2026 World Cup
Argentina: Runners-up
England: 3rd place
France: 4th place
Brazil: Round of 16
Germany: Round of 32
Portugal: Round of 16
What made the 2026 World Cup memorable
Historic achievements and records
Kylian Mbappé (France): The first player in football history to win the Golden Boot (top scorer) at two consecutive World Cups.
All-time scoring record: Thanks to the expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches, spectators witnessed a record 308 goals across the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): Scored his historic first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal against Croatia in the round of 16.
Erling Haaland (Norway): He made a spectacular World Cup debut and helped his national team pull off a major upset by knocking Brazil out (2–1) in the round of 16.
FAQ
The 2026 World Cup was one of the most memorable tournaments in the history of football. The new 48-team format produced a record number of matches, goals and upsets.
Who were the 2026 World Cup champions?
Spain.
Who was the top scorer?
Kylian Mbappé.
Where was the World Cup held?
In the USA, Canada and Mexico.
How many teams took part?
48
How many goals were scored?
308
Earlier, fans learnt about the legends who might be bringing their careers to a close at the 2026 World Cup.
