With the sun obstructed by haze, Spain’s players practiced Thursday ahead of the World Cup final outside in northern New Jersey while air conditions are hazardous because of smoke from Canadian wildfires.

It was not clear how fast-paced a practice Spain held. Media members are only able to observe the first 15 minutes of what was scheduled to be a hourlong session in East Hanover beginning at 11 a.m. EDT.

Argentina remained in the Atlanta area to work out less than 24 hours after rallying to beat England and reach the final for a second consecutive tournament. Marietta, Georgia, is far enough south to avoid the effects of the fire, which are being windblown to the southeast from northern Ontario, triggering warnings from the U.S. Midwest through the Northeast.

Officials urged people to stay inside or wear masks outside as air quality reached unhealthy to hazardous levels, meaning it’s unhealthy for anyone, regardless of health conditions. Experts expressed concern over holding practice outdoors.

“These are high-level athletes who are moving a lot of air through their lungs during every practice in every game, and really they shouldn’t be practicing outside if the air quality levels are at hazardous sort of ranges for wildfire-related air pollution,” said Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician and Global Climate and Health Alliance official. “That’s the time to schedule a practice inside. You could put an N95 mask on them, but trying to make sure that everybody’s mask is well-fitted, I suspect that’s not the best choice. I would go find an air-conditioned indoor facility that’s a clean-air shelter.”

Messages sent to FIFA and the Spanish Football Association asking whether that was considered or possible were not immediately returned. The smoke is expected to clear the area well before the championship game Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m.

The air quality in East Hanover on Thursday started early in the morning as “unhealthy” but got cleaner, so by mid-afternoon it was merely “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Now monitoring system. Particle pollution in New Jersey on Thursday was more than seven times higher than the World Health Organization standard. The forecast calls for an improvement to “moderate” for Sunday.

Smoke from wildfires — which are burning more of North America as Earth warms — attacks nearly every system in the body, killing tens of thousands of people a year, numerous medical studies show.

It attacks the body immediately, spiking asthma cases with increased ambulance runs within hours. Smoke can trigger inflammation in different parts of the body, often attacking a person’s weakest points, which can then cascade into different effects of an immune system trying to fight a nasty irritant, doctors and scientists said.

“It’s not healthy for anyone to be in the smoke, especially if you’re exercising,” Harvard School of Public Health environmental health research scientist Mary Johnson said. “You’re exchanging more air, so you’re being exposed to even more pollutants, and even healthy individuals at some point will have some type of health effect from the exposure to the smoke. So, even though these are healthy, young individuals, it’s not a good idea to be exercising in this type of environment.”

Scientists have counted at least 1,000 toxins in wildfire smoke, according to Colorado State University environmental toxicologist Luke Montrose.

“If I gave you a list you would recognize some of these as being very bad often times associated with the burning of diesel fuel or cigarette smoke things like formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds,” Montrose said. “Just the smoke itself can be bad.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

Source

Lionel Messi has a message for Argentina’s detractors: “Nothing was handed to us.”

The Argentina superstar responded to critics who have been bashing the reigning World Cup champions over perceptions of beneficial officiating and favoritism by the soccer establishment. He said the team’s ability to overturn late-game deficits, most recently the semifinal victory over England, is the result of championship pedigree and nothing more.

After trailing 1-0 going into the 85th minute, Argentina rallied for a 2-1 win over England on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final.

The victory led tens of thousands to flood the streets of Buenos Aires in ecstatic celebrations, and marked another remarkable comeback that showed the perseverance of a team that is now one win from a back-to-back titles. Argentina faces Spain in Sunday’s final.

Argentina earlier survived by beating Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time, and rallied for an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt after coming back from being down 2-0 with 11 minutes of regulation time to play. But both the Swiss and Egyptian coaches criticized the refereeing. Egypt’s Hossam Hassan went as far as to say that his team was the victim of a soccer establishment that favored Messi and Argentina.

The comments fueled criticism sparked by fans who argue that the FIFA bracket favored La Albiceleste, and unfounded allegations on social media claiming that the soccer governing body wants Argentina to once again become World Cup champion.

“We’ve been the best over these past four years, either you like it or not, and no matter what anyone says,” Messi said after the win over England.

“Once again, we’ve established ourselves among the top two teams in the world. That proves that everything we’ve done is no fluke and that nothing was handed to us.”

The game against Switzerland swung on a call that riled up those who believe Argentina has been favored by World Cup officials.

The Swiss had just tied the game at 1-1 on Dan Ndoye’s goal in the 67th minute when Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Breel Embolo. But video showed the Swiss player falling before the Argentina midfielder made contact with him, and since Embolo received a yellow card earlier in the match, he was sent off and Switzerland was left to defend with 10 players.

“We were punished because of a rule that in my opinion is completely unacceptable,” Swiss coach Murat Yakin said after the game. “It’s very painful that we were eliminated that way. I don’t think we deserve that today, and in my opinion, my boys are the real heroes.”

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Football Association had said it “cannot remain silent” after what it believed was unfair and biased officiating in Egypt’s loss against Argentina.

Argentina’s team had not acknowledged the complaints on officiating and FIFA. In previous press conferences, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni had even advised journalists asking about the matter “not to consume so much social media.”

But after the victory over England, the reigning champions fought back.

“Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is something very few achieve, and this group did it,” Messi said. “If we had lost to England, there would have been people coming out to spout some nonsense, but we didn’t give them the chance.”

Wednesday’s semifinal was the latest chapter in a long-running feud that has transcended the field to encompass British control over the disputed Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas and claims as its sovereign territory.

The British government on Thursday urged FIFA to investigate Argentina’s team after players celebrating their victory over England posed with a banner handed over by fans, reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” — “The Malvinas are Argentine.”

Enzo Fernandez acknowledged that his goal celebration, which leveled the score at 1-1, was aimed at Argentina’s critics. The Chelsea midfielder first cupped his hands to his ears, a gesture interpreted in soccer as a challenge to critics. Then, he opened and closed his fingers, as if inviting them to keep talking.

“There was a lot of talk; it was a mix of euphoria and frustration,” Fernandez said.

Scaloni, for his part, stated in the post-semifinal press conference that “this talk of ‘help’ will always exist; it doesn’t bother me.”

“With VAR today, it’s very difficult to get help; it would have to be glaringly obvious. We knew there was no help.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

Source

A No. 10 jersey worn by Brazil icon Pelé in the 1958 World Cup final has been sold for $4.9 million, Sotheby’s said Thursday.

Pelé, who died in 2022, was 17 when he scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 win over hosts Sweden at the Rasunda Stadium and still remains the youngest player ever to score in a World Cup final.

Sotheby’s said the jersey worn by the Brazilian star is the second-most valuable soccer shirt ever sold. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey sold in 2022 for $9.3 million.

The previous most valuable item of Pelé memorabilia was $976,000 for a 1958 trading card last month, the auction house said.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento — aka Pelé — had gifted the handmade shirt after the final to his roommate and teammate, Dida.

The jersey had remained with Dida’s family for decades before being housed in a Brazilian museum and eventually acquired in 2004.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

Source

Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final is packed with storylines, from Lionel Messi facing teenage sensation Lamine Yamal battling for the sport’s biggest prize. But Argentina enters the match with a chance to accomplish something no men’s team has done in decades.

A win would make Argentina just the third country to pull off back-to-back men’s World Cup titles, something that hasn’t been done since 1962. Messi has his squad right on the cusp of history, and they are one win away from sealing it.

These are the only two countries to win back-to-back FIFA Men’s World Cups:

Italy: 1934, 1938

Italy became the first nation to repeat as World Cup champions, defeating Czechoslovakia in the 1934 final before beating Hungary in 1938.

–>

Italy became the first nation to repeat as World Cup champions, defeating Czechoslovakia in the 1934 final before beating Hungary in 1938. Both championship matches were closely contested, but the Azzurri found a way to come out on top and make history.

After trailing 1-0 for much of the match, Italy found new life when Raimundo Orsi scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute. Angelo Schiavio then netted the winner in the 96th minute of extra time, lifting them to a 2-1 victory and their first World Cup title.

Four years after winning, Italy successfully defended its title with a convincing 4-2 victory over Hungary in the 1938 final. Gino Colaussi and Silvio Piola each recorded a brace, making them the first nation to win consecutive World Cup titles.

Brazil: 1958, 1962

With a 3-1 victory over Czechoslovakia, Brazil became the second team in World Cup history to capture back-to-back championships.

–>

The 1958 FIFA World Cup marked the arrival of 17-year-old Pelé, who would go on to become one of the greatest players in soccer history. He played a pivotal role in leading Brazil to its first World Cup title, defeating host Sweden 5-2 in the final.

Brazil repeated as World Cup champions in 1962 behind Garrincha, who delivered one of the greatest tournament performances in soccer history. This came after Pelé was ruled out with a pulled muscle suffered in the group stage.

With a 3-1 victory over Czechoslovakia, Brazil became the second team in World Cup history to capture back-to-back championships.

Can Argentina Make History?

(Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

–>

Argentina will enter Sunday’s World Cup final as underdogs against a strong Spain squad, but Messi gives them a chance against anyone. To pull off history, Argentina will need to find ways to get its captain involved early and often.

Messi’s showdown with Yamal will headline Sunday’s final, but the Argentine captain has another chance to add to his unmatched legacy. A victory would give Messi back-to-back World Cup titles, adding another rare accomplishment to a career unlike any other.

Source

The 2026 World Cup final is set as Argentina looks to defend its title against Spain. But after four wild comebacks, what was it about Argentina’s seminal performance that sealed its championship spot? Their X-factor, Lionel Messi. 

Although Messi has not scored since Argentina’s round-of-16 win over Egypt, he’s still managed to set up some of their game-winning goals that led them to the final, including a pair of assists against England in the semifinals. For FOX Sports’ Stu Holden, he noticed that England’s real shot of winning was gone when Messi continued to play a factor.

“I think I said this in the 60th or 65th minute. I said, ‘Uh oh, look out, England,’ [Messi is] was just camping out on the right side of the field,” Holden said on The Herd. “And he’s just waiting for his opportunity to get into this game. There was never even a thought in Messi or Argentina’s mind that that game was done. It was never going to be Messi’s last game.”

 (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) –>

England’s first goal in the 55th minute kept them in the game. But with a second consecutive World Cup final just in reach, Argentina netted two goals in the 85th minute and stoppage time to seal their win. 

Next to their comeback win over the Three Lions, Argentina’s road to the final saw four consecutive game-winners in stoppage time and extra time, including their 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the round of 32 and their round of 16 comebacks down 2-0, which saw three goals in the final 11 minutes. 

Although England’s first goal convinced fans a win was in sight, the script was flipped when its playing style turned defensive. Holden emphasized that coach Thomas Tuchel’s strategy was never going to work, especially against the defending champions and Messi. 

“I think Thomas Tuchel was naive to think that they could do that against, not just the defending World champions, but the best player in the world, Lionel Messi,” Holden said. “And then I saw it was a back five, and I said ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve got 30 minutes to go here, what are we doing?’ If Argentina sees that your back door is open a little bit, they’re going to kick that door down, and they are in, and that’s what they did.”

England’s ‘park the bus’ strategy proved successful against Mexico and Norway, but against the World Cup’s leading goalscorer and assist leader, Messi and Argentina took full advantage. 

Argentina is now competing for their second consecutive World Cup win, which has only been down twice in history (Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and Italy in 1934 and 1938). As it prepares to face Spain, who’ve only conceded one goal in this tournament, how can Argentina capitalize against players a star-studded lineup with Marc Cucurella, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal? Messi. 

“He’s crossing the ball to the back post, or he’s beating you on the inside. It’s just so hard to defend,” Holden said of Messi. “There was always that X-factor. With the great teams and the championship players, if and when they want to do that, you don’t have a chance. It was not a matter of if, it was always going to be a matter of when with Messi.”

Argentina and Spain will compete for the World Cup title on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at New York/New Jersey Stadium.

England vs Argentina Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

–> ]–>

Source

New Virginia Tech coach James Franklin knows the Hokies’ proud history going back to the Frank Beamer era.

Annual bowl bids. A trip to the national championship game. Special teams play so reliably good that it spawned the name “Beamer Ball,” and the beaten-up metal lunch pail symbolizing a blue-collar defensive ethic.

“You guys all remember that Virginia Tech,” Franklin said Thursday, “but none of the current players do.”

That explains why Franklin’s arrival as the big-name hire after a dozen years at Penn State is about more than trying to win a few more games on crisp autumn weekends in Blacksburg. Rather, it’s an admission that the school must elevate its sports profile after years of seismic changes to NCAA rules and conference alignments. That includes raising more money and investing more in athletics in what the school has described as a “reset” to meet that moment, down to the recent hiring of athletic director Brian White and the ongoing search for a new university president.

As always, the spotlight is on football with its revenue-driving role in college sports.

“Even before the job was open, Virginia Tech I think had realized that what we had been doing for the last nine or 10 years hadn’t worked,” Franklin said during the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason football media days. “And there needs to be a commitment.

“And I think this a problem at a lot of places: does your expectations match your commitment?”

A Firing Marked The Start Of A Change-Filled Year For The Hokies

Trouble seemingly arrived last fall with an 0-3 start that led to the September firing of Brent Pry as coach. Yet the issues go back further, back to the gradual slide that began in the latter part of Beamer’s 29-year tenure followed by the inability of successor Justin Fuente to sustain the kind of success needed for national relevance.

Yet as the Hokies ousted Pry, they also pointed to a need to reshape their athletics operations to complete with the ACC’s best in a strategy soon called “Invest To Win.”

And changes kept coming:

— By the end of September, the school’s Board of Visitors had approved spending an additional $229 million on athletics over four years.

— By December, the school announced an anonymous gift commitment of $20 million, coming weeks after Franklin’s hiring.

— In early June, school announced the creation of the “Hokie Ventures” nonprofit corporation to support athletics with investment and revenue generation, followed by the announcement of a $75 million gift with the majority earmarked for athletics.

— And late last month, the school hired White away from Florida Atlantic as its new AD.

“In our world, it’s a national conversation: ‘Man, Virginia Tech, they’re putting all their chips in,'” White said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. “That’s something you want to be a part of.”

Sports Success Can Boost The Financial Bottom Line In The ACC

There’s a financial incentive to improving Hokies athletics beyond fans buying up tickets, concessions and paying for gameday parking. It could offer a significant bump to the ACC’s annual payout (largely tied to media rights) to the school, which received more than $46.5 million for the 2024-25 season according to the league’s most recent tax filing.

First there’s the 2024 launch of the ACC’s “success initiative” allowing teams to keep the money generated from their own postseason success, most notably with any deep push in the College Football Playoff.

As an example, Clemson and SMU each earned $4 million for bids to the 12-team CFP in 2024, while Miami’s run to last year’s championship game secured $20 million.

The league also changed its revenue-distribution model in 2025 to reward programs that generate higher TV viewership, also a byproduct of teams winning enough to earn marquee broadcast slots with must-watch games.

Those come amid league-wide efforts to generate more revenue while facing a significant financial gap behind the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference.

“There’s so many places around the country that it’s a critical time for, because it’s a critical moment in the history of college athletics with the amount of change that’s happening right now,” White told the AP. “There’s never been a more important time to be the best version of yourself.”

Franklin’s Penn State Exit Became An Opportunity For Virginia Tech

That’s part of why Franklin is here now, absorbing traditions like the use of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” as a gameday anthem at Lane Stadium while trying to offer a bridge to something new.

It didn’t seem likely at this time last year, with Franklin coming off leading the Nittany Lions to the CFP semifinals and was set to enter the year with the AP Top 25’s No. 2-ranked team. But things unexpectedly unraveled, swiftly enough that Penn State fired Franklin by mid-October amid a 3-3 start.

“He’s a big name, and it’s just crazy he’s here,” defensive lineman Kemari Copeland said Thursday.

Franklin also represents a marquee addition to the league’s coaching ranks, still headlined by two-time national champion Dabo Swinney at Clemson. SMU coach Rhett Lashlee is among those to cross paths with Franklin before; his Mustangs lost to Penn State in the 2024 CFP first round.

“He brings a lot of experience, he knows how to win and I think he brings a lot to our league and our coaches,” Lashlee said Wednesday back in Texas.

Franklin talked Thursday about the importance of getting Beamer’s blessing in a phone call before taking over. It captured his approach now: embrace the past, but make sure to evolve, too.

“I want the people that love Virginia Tech to watch us and say, ‘That’s what Virginia Tech football’s supposed to look like,” Franklin said.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

Source

Best World Cup ever? Best World Cup ever. The world’s greatest have thrived this summer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, led by an untouchable constellation of stars.

Ahead of the final between Spain and Argentina, we ranked the 50 best players in the tournament. Most of the players toward the top of this list are already household names and are among the world’s best. Others, though, have broken out and became stars during the tournament.

We start our list with a player who fits that bill and is poised to be a star for Mexico moving forward … but who will come in at number one? 

50.

Gilberto Mora is the future of El Tri. (Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

–>

The 17-year-old Mexican talent entered the World Cup with an opportunity to establish himself as one of the brightest young players in international football. 

Mora had already broken into Tijuana’s first team, making 20 Liga MX appearances and scoring six goals during the season, while his performances attracted interest from several major European clubs.

Mexico carefully managed Mora during the early stages of the tournament, introducing him from the bench in the opening match against South Africa. He was then handed his first start in the final group-stage match against Czechia before retaining his place for the knockout games against Ecuador and England.

Mora displayed remarkable composure, technical quality and creativity for a player of his age. He finished the tournament with four appearances and three starts, becoming the youngest Mexican to play at a World Cup and the second-youngest player ever to start a World Cup knockout match. 

Mora’s performances confirmed his enormous potential and further increased the interest surrounding his future.

49.

Vitinha entered the World Cup following another exceptional season with Paris Saint-Germain, continuing to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. His composure in tight spaces, press resistance and ability to dictate the tempo were instrumental as PSG won a second consecutive Champions League title, with Vitinha earning Player of the Match honors in the final.

Vitinha produced a solid individual World Cup despite Portugal’s elimination by Spain in the round of 16. Playing alongside PSG teammate João Neves, he helped Portugal control matches from midfield and completed 96% of his passes throughout the tournament. 

Vitinha did his part for Portugal, despite the team’s round of 16 loss to Spain. (Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

–>

48.

Guéhi entered the World Cup following an excellent season that saw him move from Crystal Palace to Manchester City in January. He quickly established himself in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup, bringing composure, leadership and defensive stability to a City side that recovered from its early-season struggles and pushed Arsenal deep into the Premier League title race.

Guéhi made his World Cup debut from the bench in England’s opening victory over Croatia before returning to the starting lineup against Ghana and becoming a central figure in Thomas Tuchel’s defense. His strength, positioning and calmness in possession provided England with consistent stability at the back, highlighted by an excellent quarterfinal performance against Erling Haaland and Norway. 

Guéhi continued to start through England’s semifinal defeat to Argentina, completing an impressive debut World Cup campaign.

47.

Cunha entered the World Cup following a productive debut season with Manchester United. He gradually grew into the campaign and became an important part of a United side that recovered from a difficult start to finish third and secure a return to the Champions League.

Cunha began Brazil’s opening match against Morocco on the bench but impressed after being introduced late in the 1-1 draw. That performance earned him a start against Haiti, where he scored twice in a 3-0 victory and established himself as a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s attack.

Operating in a roaming central role, Cunha contributed both as a goalscorer and as a creative link between Brazil’s midfield and attack. His movement, combination play and ability to find space gave the team greater balance. He also won an early penalty against Norway in the round of 16, although Bruno Guimarães was unable to convert it as Brazil suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat.

46.

Romero has played in every Argentina game except the final group-stage match against Jordan. He even scored against Egypt in the round of 16, and his header led to the own goal that gave the reigning champions their win over Cape Verde in the round of 32.

The Tottenham defender may be on the move this summer, but he’s known for his passing ability and fiery attitude. He fits in very well with this Argentina team and has developed a strong partnership with Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez in the center of the field. 

45.

Trossard entered the World Cup after helping Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final. He contributed six goals and six assists in the league, including one of the most important strikes of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign. His 83rd-minute winner against West Ham secured a crucial 1-0 victory in the penultimate match of the season, keeping the Gunners in control of the title race before they lifted their first league title since 2004.

He carried that form into the World Cup, recording two goals and two assists as Belgium reached the quarterfinals. His creativity, intelligent movement and ability to operate between the lines made him one of Belgium’s most influential attackers. 

Trossard was particularly impressive in the round of 

16 victory over the United States, repeatedly causing problems from the left-hand side as Belgium secured a convincing 4-1 win. He enters the final tied for second in chances created at the World Cup, trailing only Lionel Messi.

44.

The Canadian-born Bounou entered the World Cup following another strong season with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. The veteran recorded 14 clean sheets in 26 league appearances, once again demonstrating the composure, concentration and shot-stopping ability that have made him one of Africa’s leading goalkeepers.

Going into the World Cup, he maintained that form and once again delivered in decisive moments for Morocco. He kept a clean sheet in the crucial 1-0 group-stage victory over Scotland before saving Crysencio Summerville’s penalty in a shootout win over the Netherlands in the round of 32. 

Bounou then recorded another clean sheet in the 3-0 victory over Canada that made Morocco the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals at consecutive World Cups. 

Although the Atlas Lions were eventually eliminated by France, Bounou also denied Kylian Mbappé from the penalty spot during another impressive tournament.

43.

Van Dijk entered the World Cup following a difficult season with Liverpool, who failed to defend their Premier League title and fell short of expectations. The club’s defense endured several rough periods, with Van Dijk also struggling to consistently reach his usual standards, but Liverpool recovered sufficiently to secure Champions League qualification.

The Netherlands captain began the tournament strongly, scoring in a 2-2 opening draw against Japan. He then anchored the defense during convincing victories over Sweden and Tunisia as the Dutch finished top of their group, while also providing an assist in the 3-1 win over Tunisia.

Van Dijk produced another composed performance against Morocco in the round of 32 and helped the Netherlands protect a 1-0 lead deep into stoppage time. However, Issa Diop’s 91st-minute header forced extra time before Morocco prevailed 3-2 in the penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

It was a heartbreaking conclusion for the veteran captain, who will be 38 when the 2030 World Cup begins and turn 39 during the tournament. 

Virgil van Dijk has been one of the best defenders in world soccer for the past decade. (Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) –>

42.

Neves entered the World Cup following another impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain. Playing alongside Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz, he remained an integral part of PSG’s midfield as the club won a second consecutive Champions League title. His relentless energy, technical quality and ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch made him a key figure in one of Europe’s strongest teams.

Neves continued in that all-action midfield role for Portugal alongside Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes. He scored the opening goal and was named Player of the Match in Portugal’s 1-1 draw against DR Congo, providing an immediate impact in their first game of the tournament. The 21-year-old remained an important figure as Portugal reached the round of 16 before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to eventual finalists Spain.

41.

Pickford entered the World Cup following another dependable season with Everton, playing every minute of their 38 Premier League matches and keeping 11 clean sheets. His position as England’s first-choice goalkeeper had long been secure as he prepared to compete at his third World Cup and fifth major international tournament.

Pickford produced arguably his best major tournament for England, repeatedly making important saves in crucial moments. Even during the 2-1 semifinal defeat to Argentina, he came to England’s rescue several times after they took the lead, keeping Argentina at bay before the pressure eventually became too much. 

Although England fell narrowly short of the final, Pickford was one of their most consistent and reliable performers throughout the tournament.

40.

Alvarado entered the World Cup following another productive season with Chivas, making 35 appearances across all competitions while recording four goals and five assists. He remained one of the club’s primary creative outlets, using his movement, technical quality and left-footed delivery to consistently create opportunities from wide areas.

Alvarado carried those qualities onto the international stage, repeatedly cutting inside onto his left foot and delivering dangerous crosses into the penalty area. 

He registered three assists during Mexico’s run to the round of 16, including the delivery of Raúl Jiménez’s first career World Cup goal in the opening victory over South Africa. Alvarado’s tournament total made him Mexico’s all-time leading assist provider at the World Cup.

39.

Salah entered his second World Cup following the most difficult season of his Liverpool career. The defending Premier League champions fell to fifth, while Salah lost his guaranteed place in the starting lineup amid a public breakdown in his relationship with Arne Slot, who was later dismissed. Despite those struggles, Salah finished his final Liverpool campaign with 12 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances.

Salah rediscovered his spark with Egypt and led the nation on a historic run. He scored the go-ahead goal and assisted Mahmoud Trezeguet as Egypt came from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1, securing the first World Cup victory in the country’s history. He then helped the Pharaohs overcome Australia on penalties to record their first knockout-stage win before their tournament ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 3-2 defeat to Argentina after surrendering a two-goal lead.

After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and exiting at the group stage in 2018, Salah finally delivered the landmark tournament run that had previously eluded him with Egypt. His performances further cemented his place as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

38.

Along with Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister has been a mainstay in Argentina’s midfield since before the World Cup triumph back in 2022. Then, he was at Brighton. He has since moved to Liverpool, where he has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.

Mac Allister is an all-action player who covers every blade of grass on the pitch. He didn’t start Argentina’s meaningless group-stage match against Jordan (only playing 29 minutes), but he has otherwise played every single second of the tournament for the reigning champions.

While Fernández brings more tenacity, Mac Allister is more technical and thrives on the ball. Another World Cup win would put him in rarefied air.

37.

Manzambi entered the World Cup following a breakout season with Freiburg, recording seven goals and nine assists across 47 appearances. The versatile 20-year-old helped Freiburg reach the first European final in the club’s history, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Europa League Final. His energy, ball-carrying and ability to operate in several attacking roles made him one of the most exciting young players in Switzerland’s squad.

Manzambi began the tournament as a substitute but changed the trajectory of his World Cup with a brilliant late brace in Switzerland’s 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. That performance earned him his first start against Canada, where he recorded a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win. 

Manzambi retained his place for the round of 32 victory over Algeria, producing excellent ability to go at the Algerian defender before setting up Breel Embolo for the opening goal.

Manzambi finished the tournament with three goals and two assists before suffering a knee injury in training that ruled him out of Switzerland’s victories over Colombia and their heartbreaking extra-time quarterfinal defeat to Argentina. Despite his campaign ending prematurely, he emerged as one of the breakout players of the World Cup.

36.

Gill plays his club football for San Lorenzo in Argentina’s Primera División and has become an important part of Gustavo Alfaro’s Paraguay side. In a team that defends deep, invites pressure and often operates in a low block, Gill’s concentration, shot-stopping and reliability provide a reliable last line of defense.

Gill endured a difficult start to the World Cup as Paraguay suffered a 4-1 defeat to the United States, but he responded with consecutive clean sheets in a 1-0 victory over Türkiye and a goalless draw against Australia. He made six saves against Türkiye and another five against Australia, helping Paraguay collect the four points required to advance as one of the best third-place teams.

Gill then produced his defining performance in the round of 32 against Germany. He made five saves across 120 minutes before stopping two penalties in the shootout, helping Paraguay advance 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

–>

35.

Díaz entered the World Cup following arguably the finest club season of his career during his debut campaign with Bayern Munich. The Colombian recorded 15 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga, forming one of world football’s most dangerous attacking trios alongside Harry Kane and Michael Olise. He finished with 26 goals and 19 assists across all competitions as Bayern won both the Bundesliga and German Cup while reaching the Champions League semifinals.

Díaz arrived as Colombia’s leading attacking threat as the nation attempted to build on its run to the 2024 Copa América final. He recorded one goal and one assist at the World Cup, producing both during Colombia’s 3-1 group-stage victory over Uzbekistan. 

Although Díaz remained dangerous with his direct running and ability to beat defenders, he did not influence the tournament as consistently as he would have hoped. Colombia frequently failed to turn its promising attacking play into goals before being held scoreless by Switzerland and eliminated on penalties in the round of 16.

34.

Modrić turned back the clock during his first season with AC Milan. Even at 40 years old, the Croatian remained one of the club’s most influential players, with his composure, passing range and ability to control matches translating smoothly to Serie A. Although Milan endured a disappointing campaign, Modrić continued to demonstrate that he could perform at the highest level.

His World Cup began poorly as Croatia lost 4-2 to England, with Modrić conceding the penalty that led to the opening goal. However, he grew into the tournament and produced his best performance against Ghana, becoming the oldest player in World Cup history to register an assist as Croatia secured its place in the knockout stages. 

Modrić also performed well against Portugal in the round of 32, but Gonçalo Ramos’ stoppage-time winner eliminated Croatia in a 2-1 defeat. It was likely the final World Cup appearance of his legendary career, which included captaining Croatia to a runner-up finish in 2018 and third place in 2022. 

Regardless of what comes next, Modrić will be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders in World Cup history.

Luka Modrić’s last World Cup game came in the round of 32 against Portugal and former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. (Thiago Szwarc/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

–>

33.

Díaz entered the World Cup following a solid season with Real Madrid, making 30 La Liga appearances and starting 13 matches. His most impressive performances, however, came at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored five goals and played a leading role in Morocco’s run to the final. After initially losing 1-0 to Senegal after extra time, Morocco were later awarded the title following a controversial CAF ruling.

Díaz carried that form into the World Cup and remained one of Morocco’s primary creative outlets. Although he did not fill the scoresheet in the same way he had at AFCON, he registered four assists and consistently created opportunities for his teammates during the Atlas Lions’ run to the quarterfinals.

Morocco consequently became the first African nation to reach at least the quarterfinals at consecutive World Cups, with Díaz playing an important role in another historic campaign.

32.

Tielemans entered the World Cup following an impressive season with Aston Villa, helping the club win the Europa League. It was his first major international tournament as Belgium’s permanent captain after he was given the armband in September 2025. Tielemans proved to be an ideal leader for a squad transitioning from its experienced golden generation toward a younger group of emerging players.

He played an instrumental role in Belgium’s run to the quarterfinals, most notably scoring twice during their dramatic comeback against Senegal in the round of 32. Tielemans equalized in the 89th minute before converting a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of extra time to secure a remarkable 3-2 victory.

Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up before Belgium’s quarterfinal against Spain and was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup as his country was eliminated in a 2-1 defeat. His performances strengthened his reputation further, with Manchester United having signed him in the days after Belgium’s exit from the tournament.

31.

Rice entered the World Cup following an outstanding season with Arsenal, playing a pivotal role as the club won its first Premier League title since the unbeaten 2003–04 campaign and reached the Champions League final. Rice controlled matches from midfield, provided consistently dangerous set-piece delivery and emerged as one of the team’s leading figures alongside captain Martin Ødegaard.

His World Cup performances were more understated as he operated in a double pivot alongside Elliot Anderson. Rice continued to work tirelessly, protect England’s defense and provide a threat from dead-ball situations, although he did not dictate matches as consistently as he had for Arsenal. An illness affected him during the latter stages and forced him off at halftime of the quarterfinal against Norway.

Rice recovered to start the semifinal as England suffered a painful 2–1 defeat to Argentina, and it may not be a coincidence that both goals that England conceded came after the midfielder was taken out of the game.

30.

Tillman entered the World Cup following his first season with Bayer Leverkusen after completing a club-record move from PSV Eindhoven. He recorded six goals and one assist in the Bundesliga, becoming an important part of a Leverkusen side undergoing a major transition following Xabi Alonso’s departure for Real Madrid.

Tillman enjoyed a breakout tournament while operating as an attacking midfielder for the United States. His ability to occupy different pockets of space, make late runs into the penalty area and produce moments of individual quality made him one of the team’s most influential players.

He scored two crucial free-kick goals during the knockout stages. His strike against Bosnia and Herzegovina sealed a 2-0 victory after the United States had been reduced to 10 men, while his deflected effort against Belgium briefly brought the USA level in the round of 16. 

Tillman finished the tournament as one of the United States’ key contributors and, at only 24, has put himself in a strong position to remain a central figure for the national team.

29.

Quiñones entered the World Cup having re-established himself as a key player for Mexico following a sensational season with Al-Qadsiah. He led the Saudi Pro League with 33 goals in 31 appearances, forcing his way firmly into Javier Aguirre’s plans ahead of the tournament.

Operating from the left, Quiñones scored four goals and delivered whenever Mexico needed him most. He scored the opening goal of the entire World Cup against South Africa before finding the net in both of Mexico’s knockout-stage matches, against Ecuador and England.

His remarkable tournament moved him level at the top of Mexico’s all-time World Cup scoring list, capping one of the finest individual campaigns by a Mexican player on the sport’s biggest stage.

28.

Costa, who plays for FC Porto in Portugal, entered his second World Cup as Portugal’s undisputed No. 1, having also started every match for his country at the 2022 tournament. 

Costa repeatedly came to Portugal’s rescue, most notably during their goalless group-stage draw against Colombia. With Colombia creating chance after chance, he produced several important saves to preserve the clean sheet and help Portugal escape with a point.

His performances further strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s leading goalkeepers. Now 26 and entering the prime of his career, Costa has reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea as speculation continues over a possible move away from Porto.

27.

Wirtz entered the World Cup following an uneven debut season with Liverpool after completing his high-profile move from Bayer Leverkusen. He initially struggled to adjust to the physicality and intensity of English football, but gradually grew in confidence and produced several encouraging performances during the second half of the campaign.

The World Cup presented Wirtz with an opportunity to rebuild his momentum in the environment where he has consistently looked comfortable. Although Germany’s tournament ended in disappointment with a round of 32 defeat to Paraguay, Wirtz was one of their few bright spots. He registered three assists in four appearances and served as the team’s primary creative outlet throughout the competition.

26.

The RB Leipzig winger entered the World Cup with considerable excitement surrounding him after a breakout Bundesliga campaign in which he scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 33 appearances. His performances earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award and attracted attention from several leading clubs across Europe.

Diomandé immediately announced himself on the international stage with a breathtaking performance in Ivory Coast’s opening victory over Ecuador, earning the Player of the Match award. His directness, explosiveness and willingness to constantly run at defenders created problems for every opponent he faced. 

Diomandé helped Ivory Coast reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time and emerged as one of the tournament’s breakout players, demonstrating that he possesses the ability to reach the very top of the game.

Yan Diomandé shined while helping Ivory Coast advance out of the World Cup group stage for the first time. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images) –>

25.

The Crystal Palace winger entered the tournament following the best club season of his career, scoring 21 goals and providing two assists across all competitions. He played a central role in Palace’s Conference League triumph, finishing as the competition’s leading scorer with nine goals and being named its Player of the Season.

Sarr carried that form into the World Cup, emerging as Senegal’s main attacking threat. He scored four goals in four appearances and also registered an assist. Although he was slightly wasteful in Senegal’s opening match against France, he grew into the tournament and consistently looked lively and dangerous whenever he received the ball.

24.

Balogun entered the World Cup following an impressive season with Monaco. He scored 13 Ligue 1 goals and finished the campaign with 19 goals and three assists across all competitions, earning the opportunity to showcase his talent on the biggest stage while representing one of the tournament’s co-hosts.

Balogun announced himself as one of the United States’ leading performers, scoring three goals during its run to the round of 16. He was initially shown a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, although FIFA later suspended the resulting ban and allowed him to face Belgium. Despite the United States’ heavy defeat in that match, Balogun’s overall tournament strengthened his reputation and demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level.

–>

23.

Vozinha became a star at the World Cup, first with a stellar performance in a 0-0 draw with Spain and then more amazing saves throughout Cape Verde’s run. Against Argentina, the keeper was stellar, keeping out some of the world’s best players, including Lionel Messi himself.

The Cape Verde goalkeeper had about 50,000 followers on Instagram before the tournament started. As of Thursday, July 16, he has 29 million.

Now, the 40-year-old is without a club ahead of the new season, which will begin in August. Whoever signs the veteran will get a reliable shot-stopper and a new celebrity within the soccer world.

22.

Saka entered this tournament lacking match fitness after suffering an injury in March and still playing 49 games for Arsenal this past season. He helped lead the Gunners to a Premier League crown and appearance in the Champions League Final.

Saka appeared in England’s first six games but did not play against Argentina with England protecting a lead late.

Saka managed just 268 minutes for England at the tournament, but he showed why he’s one of the best right-wingers in the world. He registered three assists and was constantly wreaking havoc down the Three Lions’ right wing.

21.

Akanji made 33 Serie A appearances after joining Inter Milan on loan, helping the club win the Scudetto. Inter’s title victory and Akanji’s number of appearances met the reported conditions required to trigger the obligation to make his move from Manchester City permanent.

His club success carried over to the international stage, where he anchored the defense of a Switzerland side that produced its deepest World Cup run in 72 years. The Swiss reached the quarterfinals for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1954, with Akanji playing a pivotal role at the heart of their defense.

Manuel Akanji helped carry Switzerland through a deep World Cup run.(Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)

–>

20.

Cucurella entered the World Cup following another consistent season with Chelsea, making 50 appearances across all competitions. The left-back remained defensively dependable while also providing energy and attacking support with his overlapping runs down the left flank. His performances earned him a move to Real Madrid shortly before the start of the tournament.

Cucurella has provided Spain with that same two-way presence throughout the World Cup. He has offered a reliable outlet in possession, pushed forward to support the attack and remained disciplined defensively. 

Cucurella has been an important part of a Spanish unit that has recorded six clean sheets and conceded only one goal in seven matches on its way to the World Cup final.

Marc Cucurella is embraced by goalkeeper Unai Simón during Spain’s win over France in the semifinals. (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

–>

19.

Hakimi entered the tournament after playing an important role for a Paris Saint-Germain side that won back-to-back Champions League titles. Widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, he arrived determined to lead Morocco on another deep run after the nation reached the semifinals in 2022.

Morocco did not quite return to the semifinals, but it was still another successful tournament as the Atlas Lions reached the quarterfinals. Hakimi provided a constant attacking threat with his overlapping runs, movement into central areas and ability to stretch opposing defenses. He finished the tournament with one goal and two assists.

18.

Porro was a key player for Tottenham in the Premier League last season and proved to be one of the bright spots during what was a forgettable campaign. With La Roja, Dani Carvajal’s regression opened up a space for him on the right side of defense.

Porro has made right back his spot for Spain, playing alongside a talented defense that has been the best at the World Cup this summer. It will once again be tested in the final against Argentina.

Porro’s biggest highlight was his goal in the semifinal win over France. It was a good example of what makes him so good for Spain, putting his ability going forward and hustle on full display.

17.

Upamecano entered the World Cup following an excellent season with Bayern Munich, playing a key role as the club won the Bundesliga and reached the Champions League semifinals. Vincent Kompany’s aggressive, high defensive line placed significant responsibility on Upamecano, whose recovery speed, strength and ability to defend large spaces were crucial to Bayern’s system.

The center back carried that form into the World Cup and rarely put a foot wrong during France’s run to the semifinals. His physicality, recovery defending and composure helped Les Bleus concede only two goals across their first six matches. France ultimately fell 2-0 to Spain, but Upamecano was one of their most consistent performers throughout the tournament.

16.

Fernández entered the World Cup following another productive season with Chelsea. After playing a key role in the club’s 2025 Club World Cup triumph, he remained one of its brightest performers during a difficult campaign, recording 15 goals and seven assists across 54 appearances. 

Fernández has provided a threat with his forward runs, ball-carrying and ability to arrive inside the penalty area. He has performed in a deeper role for Argentina, using his passing range, composure and defensive awareness to help control matches from midfield. 

Fernández has remained an integral part of the defending champions’ run to another World Cup final and delivered one of their biggest moments of the tournament, scoring a powerful late equalizer against England before Lautaro Martínez headed home the stoppage-time winner in a dramatic 2-1 semifinal victory.

15.

Cubarsí emerged from Barcelona’s La Masia academy and broke into the first team as a teenager under Xavi Hernández. He later established himself as a key figure under Hansi Flick, providing Barcelona with a major defensive boost during a period in which the club’s financial difficulties limited its ability to strengthen the squad. Cubarsí has since helped Barcelona win back-to-back La Liga titles while establishing himself as one of the brightest young center backs in world football.

Although Cubarsí was included in Spain’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024, he was one of three players omitted from the final 26-man roster. Two years later, the 19-year-old has become an integral part of Luis de la Fuente’s defense alongside Aymeric Laporte. 

Cubarsí has started throughout Spain’s run to the World Cup final, displaying remarkable composure, intelligence and quality in possession. He has played a pivotal role in a defense that has recorded six clean sheets in seven matches and conceded only one goal across the entire tournament.

14.

Pedri entered the World Cup after helping Barcelona win back-to-back La Liga titles, further demonstrating why he is considered one of the most technically gifted midfielders in world football. His close control, awareness, passing range and ability to dictate the tempo continued to make him an important player for both club and country.

The 23-year-old began the tournament in Spain’s starting lineup, but Luis de la Fuente made a tactical adjustment for the quarterfinal against Belgium, selecting Fabián Ruiz alongside Rodri and Dani Olmo. After Spain secured a 2-1 victory, De la Fuente retained the same midfield for the 2-0 semifinal win over France.

Despite losing his starting position during the latter stages, Pedri has still performed well when called upon. His place on the bench should not overshadow his overall quality or future importance to Spain, with the midfielder still having the best years of his career ahead of him.

13.

Yamal entered the World Cup following another exceptional season with Barcelona, helping the club win back-to-back La Liga titles while establishing himself as one of its most important attacking players. His extraordinary left foot, creativity and ability to beat defenders have already made him one of football’s brightest stars, but a hamstring injury suffered late in the club season forced Spain to ease him into the tournament.

Yamal made a 25-minute cameo during Spain’s opening draw against Cabo Verde before gradually receiving more playing time as his fitness improved. He scored his first World Cup goal in the 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia and has continued to show flashes of his individual brilliance throughout Spain’s run.

Although he has not consistently reached the remarkable standards he has already set for himself, Yamal has grown into the competition and remains capable of producing a decisive moment as Spain prepares for the World Cup final.

Lamine Yamal will be in the World Cup Final thanks to Spain’s win over France. (Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) –>

12.

Saliba entered the World Cup after playing a key role in Arsenal’s Premier League-winning season. Alongside Gabriel Magalhães, he anchored a defense that conceded only 26 league goals and was widely regarded as one of the strongest in Europe. Saliba was also an important figure as Arsenal reached the Champions League final.

The French defender produced an outstanding tournament despite arriving with a back issue that raised questions over his availability. He played through the discomfort and rarely put a foot wrong as France reached the semifinals. However, Saliba suffered another injury setback after approximately 30 minutes against Spain and was forced off before Les Bleus were eliminated in a 2-0 defeat.

11.

Ødegaard entered the tournament after captaining Arsenal through a remarkable season in which the club won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final, narrowly losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

At the World Cup, he served as Norway’s main creative outlet during its historic run to the quarterfinals. Ødegaard provided the perfect complement to Erling Haaland, growing into the tournament and becoming increasingly influential as Norway progressed. He finished the competition with three assists.

10.

Dembélé entered the World Cup as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner after another trophy-filled season with Paris Saint-Germain. PSG retained both the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles, further strengthening Dembélé’s case as one of the best players in the world. Although he had already achieved international success with France, his individual quality had never fully translated into consistent production at a major tournament.

That changed at this World Cup. Operating across France’s front line, often from the left alongside Kylian Mbappé, Dembélé scored five goals during Les Bleus’ run to the semifinals. His tournament was highlighted by a sensational hat trick against Norway in France’s final group-stage match, before he scored again to seal a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Morocco. 

France ultimately fell 2-0 to Spain in the semifinals, but Dembélé produced the finest international tournament of his career.

–>

9.

Vinícius Júnior entered the tournament facing criticism for not consistently replicating his Real Madrid performances with the Seleção. The Brazilian has been a key figure for a Madrid side with which he has won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.

At this World Cup, however, Vinícius was one of the Brazilian players who truly lived up to the weight of the shirt. He recorded four goals and one assist in five appearances, playing a crucial role in Brazil reaching the round of 16.

8.

Oyarzabal entered the World Cup following an excellent season with Real Sociedad, scoring 15 La Liga goals and captaining the club to the Copa del Rey title. Although he may not have the same global profile as some of Spain’s other stars, he has consistently been one of the team’s most dependable attacking players.

For the first time at a major tournament, Oyarzabal arrived as Spain’s primary center forward after Álvaro Morata had led the line at previous competitions. He has been outstanding, scoring five goals while also contributing to the build-up with his intelligent movement, link-up play and ability to drift away from traditional No. 9 positions.

Oyarzabal converted the penalty that gave Spain an early lead in their 2-0 semifinal victory over France, sending La Roja into the World Cup final. His fifth goal also moved him level with David Villa and Butragueño for the most by a Spanish player at a single World Cup.

7.

Rodri entered the World Cup following a long road back from a serious knee injury. After helping Manchester City win the Premier League and being named Player of the Tournament as Spain lifted Euro 2024, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner tore his ACL early in the following season. His return was disrupted by further fitness setbacks, but he gradually grew into the 2025–26 campaign and began showing glimpses of the player who had previously controlled matches for both club and country.

At the World Cup, Rodri has looked much closer to his best. The Spain captain has controlled the midfield, dictated the tempo and provided defensive stability in front of Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte. 

Rodri was particularly impressive during Spain’s 2–0 semifinal victory over France and has been a pivotal part of their run to the final, where they are now one victory away from winning the second World Cup in the nation’s history.

6.

Olise entered the World Cup following an extraordinary season with Bayern Munich. He recorded 15 goals and a league-leading 19 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances, helping Bayern win the domestic double and reach the Champions League semifinals. His performances earned him the Bundesliga Player of the Season award and established him as one of the best attacking players in world football.

His remarkable form continued at the World Cup, where he registered five assists during France’s run to the semifinals, finishing only one short of Pelé’s record of six in a single tournament. Olise was one of the competition’s standout performers, consistently displaying his ability to progress the ball, operate in tight spaces and deliver defense-splitting passes for Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué. 

Although France’s campaign ended with a 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain, Olise further strengthened his reputation as one of the world’s leading creative players.

5.

Jude Bellingham entered the World Cup having already enjoyed a phenomenal start to his Real Madrid career. He won La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup during his debut season before adding the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup in his second campaign. Although Madrid ended the 2025–26 season without a trophy, Bellingham maintained his status as one of the club’s most important players.

The 23-year-old produced a sensational World Cup for England, scoring six goals from midfield during their run to the semifinals. His late runs into the penalty area, powerful ball-carrying, technical quality and relentless work rate made him one of the tournament’s standout performers. 

Bellingham finished level for the most goals ever scored by a midfielder at a single World Cup, further establishing himself as the defining player of England’s next generation.

4.

Erling Haaland entered his first major senior international tournament determined to replicate his club success with Norway and demonstrate why he is considered one of the best players in the world.

He did exactly that, scoring seven goals in five appearances and carrying Norway to the first World Cup quarterfinal in the nation’s history. Haaland put the team on his back throughout its remarkable run, firmly announcing himself on the biggest stage in international football.

3.

Harry Kane entered the World Cup following the finest individual season of his career with Bayern Munich. The England captain scored an extraordinary 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions, helping Bayern win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double while also reaching the Champions League semifinals. He remained the goalscoring focal point of one of Europe’s most prolific attacking teams.

Kane carried that form into the World Cup, scoring six goals during England’s run to the semifinals. He scored the goal that secured the lead against Panama, produced a brilliant late brace to complete a 2-1 comeback against DR Congo in the round of 32 and converted the decisive penalty in England’s 3-2 round of 16 victory over Mexico.

His goal against Panama moved him past Gary Lineker as England’s leading World Cup scorer, and he ended the tournament with 14 career World Cup goals. Kane once again demonstrated his clinical finishing and ability to deliver in decisive moments for his country.

–>

2.

Kylian Mbappé entered the World Cup following another outstanding individual season with Real Madrid. He scored 42 goals in 44 appearances, winning the Pichichi Trophy with 25 league goals and finishing as the Champions League’s leading scorer with 15. 

However, Mbappé’s remarkable production was not enough to prevent Madrid from ending the season without a trophy.

Mbappé responded by producing a sensational World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals in seven appearances and leading France to the semifinals. Although Les Bleus were eliminated following a 2-0 defeat to European champions Spain, Mbappé once again demonstrated his ability to deliver on the biggest international stage and finished as one of the tournament’s standout performers.

1.

Lionel Messi continues to demonstrate why he is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He entered the World Cup after captaining Inter Miami to the first MLS Cup title in club history and becoming the first player to win consecutive MLS MVP awards.

Messi has produced another extraordinary World Cup, recording eight goals and four assists while leading defending champions Argentina back to the final. The 39-year-old has repeatedly taken control in decisive moments, including providing both assists during Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 semifinal comeback against England. His delivery created Enzo Fernández’s equalizer before setting up Lautaro Martínez’s stoppage-time winner to book a final against Spain. 

Messi may be 39, but he continues to perform like he’s a decade younger.

]–>

Source

Argentine President Javier Milei said on Thursday he won’t be attending the World Cup final because of superstition, instead choosing to view Sunday’s match between Spain and Argentina from home — where he has watched the defending champion’s previous seven games, all victories, in the tournament.

In a bid to help his nation’s beloved soccer team secure its second consecutive title, Milei added, he’ll be wearing the same heavy jacket, too.

Fans and players around the world cling to superstitions they believe can bring good luck to their team — or misfortune to their opponents. But in Latin America, and particularly in Argentina, so-called “cábalas,” or ritualistic beliefs and habits, carry unusual weight, reflecting the intensity with which many here watch their national team.

When asked Thursday whether he’d travel to New Jersey for Sunday’s game to watch alongside his close ally U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as was widely expected, Milei replied, “No way.”

“I’m going to keep watching all the games from Olivos,” he told a local Buenos Aires radio station, El Observador, referring to his presidential residence.

The journalist asked if he’s staying home for superstitious reasons. Milei said yes, going on to explain another of his rituals: “Since it’s cold and I don’t turn on the heat, I wear an oil company-branded jacket. The day of the Switzerland game, it made me really hot. I took it off, and they scored a goal against us. I put it back on and never took it off again.”

Like Milei, most Argentines have cábalas that require they stick to the exact same routine if the team is winning. Some wear the same clothes during every match, refusing to wash their jerseys for the duration of the World Cup. Some watch each game in the same spot — or are not allowed to watch at all, as can be the case with those who happen to be in the bathroom when Argentina scores.

Argentina Related Stories

The smallest actions take on extraordinary meaning. In one widely shared video from this World Cup, a group of fans began reading from the Bible just as Argentina started scoring against Egypt, obliging them to repeat the ritual at every match since. One common ritual to impact the rival team involves freezing figurines of players or pieces of paper with opponents’ names on them.

Argentine presidents have long been cautious about attending high-stakes World Cup matches to avoid bringing bad luck to their teams. The superstition dates back to the 1990 tournament, when then-President Carlos Menem visited the Argentine squad right before it suffered a stunning opening loss to Cameroon.

Menem was branded a “mufa,” a jinx. No sitting Argentine president is known to have attended a national team match since. There is no such superstition on Spain’s side, however: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to attend Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina, his office said Friday, and Spanish King Felipe VI is also expected to watch the game in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

]–>

Source

In Driver’s Eye with James Hinchcliffe, the six-time INDYCAR winner will bring you inside the mind of a racer while breaking down the nuts and bolts of the sport for fans.

After back-to-back road course races, INDYCAR switches gears again this weekend in Nashville, heading to the tricky concrete superspeedway oval just outside the Music City. McLaren dominated the last stretch of road-course races with Christian Lungaard and Pato O’Ward taking a win apiece.

But heading back to an oval means all eyes are on one man this weekend: Josef Newgarden.

The Team Penske front man has put up an absolute masterclass on ovals since very early in his career. Lately, however, it’s been on another level. 

Newgarden’s last 11 INDYCAR wins have been on ovals, including his two victories so far this season at Phoenix Raceway and Gateway (a.k.a. World Wide Technology Raceway). His last non-oval victory was at Road America back in 2022 — of course, not counting St. Petersburg 2024 when he was DQ’d after crossing the finish line first on track.

In the span of those 11 oval wins, there have been 27 oval races, meaning Newgarden has a win rate higher than 40% on this type of track. That is quite simply astounding in the most competitive era of the sport.

His oval prowess was evident from his first days in the series. He had strong showings at the Indianapolis 500 from his rookie season, and he took his first of many wins at Iowa Speedway in the predecessor to the current ECR squad back in 2015.

That checkered flag opened the floodgates for Newgarden on ovals.

2016 Iowa Speedway winner Josef Newgarden poses with fans after the Iowa Corn 300. (Icon Sportswire)

–>

It is interesting — despite them being the same cars week in and week out — how different the skillsets can be for success racing on ovals vs. street courses vs. road courses.

Oval racing requires such a unique feel and understanding of the car, what it wants and how to drive it. This was something Newgarden figured out quickly and to devastating effect.

On an oval, the speeds are significantly higher, so the inputs are so much smaller. If you’re driving your road car at 10 miles an hour, a big swerve of the steering wheel doesn’t upset things too much. Do that same input at 70 miles an hour, and you’re barrel rolling into a ditch. That same concept applies in INDYCAR.

At the speeds we see on ovals, you have to recalibrate your senses to feel the smallest and most subtle feedback markers the car is giving you. You crank up your sensitivity to the feedback from the car and pull way back on the severity of the inputs you respond with. 

It’s not easy and it’s not natural. It’s a talent that has to be refined. Josef has an uncanny ability to feel what his race car is telling him. Combine that with an astute understanding of what the car needs to be fast, and it makes him almost unstoppable.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 27: Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske, poses for a photo during the 108th Indianapolis 500 champion’s portraits at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

–>

Another key to success on ovals is trusting the car. 

Josef is piloting a machine bolted together by some of the best in the business. He and his engineers work tirelessly on perfecting the setup. When he straps in on Sunday, he has limitless trust in the car’s and his team’s capabilities, which gives him the kind of confidence that makes you devastatingly quick.

But speed isn’t the only key to oval racing. The race craft — where to put your race car and when, how to set up passes laps in advance, exploring the grip in different and non-conventional lanes — has to be honed, too. 

And this may be where Newgarden’s true advantage lies. 

He doesn’t always qualify up front on ovals. But after three-quarters of a race, you can be sure that not only is he up in the fight for the win, but he’s also spent every second up to that point carefully tuning his car to be what he needs it to be to beat you at the end.

When a driver has that kind of speed on a certain type of track, beating them there feels so much more satisfying. 

I was able to out-duel Newgarden at Iowa Speedway — a track he’s won at more than anyone else — back in 2018, and it remains one of the sweetest victories.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE FAST: NASHVILLE

INDYCAR takes on Nashville Superspeedway this weekend, and this is a very different oval compared with others we’ve raced on so far in 2026.

Phoenix Raceway and Gateway are short ovals, while Indianapolis Motor Speedway is longer as a 2.5-mile superspeedway. 

(Chris Owens, Penske Entertainment)

–>

At 1.33 miles, Nashville is unique not only in its length, but also because of its surface. Concrete instead of asphalt means the tires react differently here than they do on other ovals, so setups from one oval track don’t necessarily translate to another seamlessly.

That element makes it tough and crucial for the engineers to get on top of how to create the most mechanical grip possible. Dampers, spring packages and suspension geometries will be the name of the game. 

From there, it’s up to the drivers to figure out where the biggest bumps are — and in Nashville there are plenty — so they know what to avoid when trying to make a pass.

(Joe Skibinski, Penske Entertainment)

–>

You have to work hard in practice to run up on the high line and get comfortable being up there to have any shot at winning on Sunday. That’s where guys like Christian Rasmussen, Santino Ferrucci and Marcus Ericsson usually shine. 

But don’t count out the other two Penske drivers in Scott McLaughlin and David Malukas — one with short oval wins on his resume and the other with that first INDYCAR win in his sights. Or maybe the McLaren train will keep chugging down the tracks. 

In the two years since we moved this race from the streets of downtown to the superspeedway outside the city, O’Ward has led more laps than anyone, and he was leading comfortably last year before a blown tire took him out of contention and paved the way for, you guessed it, Newgarden to steal a popular hometown win.

Some drivers prefer ovals, some road courses, some the streets. Yes, results play a part in that, but so does the feeling you get when driving them. 

I loved racing in INDYCAR specifically because there were all these different types of tracks to race on, and they all challenge, reward and punish you in different ways.

While some drivers will be rubbing their hands together salivating because we’re back on an oval, and others will be wishing the road course streak was continuing, I always felt that whatever type of track I was driving into on a Thursday was, well, my favorite type of track!

And that is one of many reasons I love INDYCAR racing!

MORE DRIVER’S EYE:

Source

It’s safe to say that the 2026 World Cup was an excellent platform for young players to shine under the brightest of spotlights.

Many of these players laid the foundation to be dominant figures in the international game for years to come. Here are the 10 best players ages 21 and younger from the 2026 World Cup:

Age: 18

Position: Central midfielder

Club: Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of the key reasons behind Morocco’s rise in international soccer. Born and raised in France, Bouaddi previously represented French youth teams but made the switch to represent Morocco shortly before the World Cup. Bouaddi has already impressed at the club level with Lille since he was 16.

One of his career highlights was starting in a win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday. At the World Cup, he impressed and helped Morocco control the midfield in a 1-1 draw with Brazil. He is likely soon to be transferred to a top club for an enormous sum. For Morocco, he will ensure the Atlas Lions are a top team for years to come. 

Age: 19

Position: Central defense

Club: Barcelona

Most fans knew of Cubarsí heading into this tournament after the 19-year-old anchored Barcelona’s backline to the LaLiga title. But this World Cup has put Cubarsí on the brink of becoming a global superstar. 

Entering the final, Spain conceded just one goal and Cubarsí has been a huge part of that. Despite being a teenager, he might be the best central defender in the world. 

Age: 19

Position: Winger

Club: RB Leipzig

After a stellar club season with RB Leipzig where he was named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season and is now reportedly nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, expectations were very high for Diomande heading into this tournament. 

He did not score and only had one assist in a win over Curaçao. But there were plenty of times his elite dribbling was on display, and it helped to open the game up for his teammates. In particular, he was explosive in the Ivory Coast’s win over Ecuador and was dangerous in the narrow loss to Germany. 

Age: 21

Position: Winger

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

Doué is one of the many top young French players to move from the 2024 Olympic team and into the 2026 World Cup team. He has won Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year twice and has won the UEFA Champions League twice. He has also won the award for the top young player in both the Champions League and the Club World Cup. 

At this World Cup, he played well in the wins over Senegal, Norway, Paraguay, and Morocco to live up to what is already a remarkable résumé of a player of his age. He scored in France’s win over Norway and then assisted on the opening goal in the win over Morocco. 

Age: 21

Position: Attacking midfielder

Club: Freiburg

Aside from the first game, Switzerland was very good in this World Cup. If Johan Manzambi was healthy and able to play against Argentina, it might have been a different tournament entirely. Unfortunately for Switzerland, Manzambi was injured just before the Colombia game in the round of 16 and did not play in the final two games. 

But what Manzambi showed against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, and Algeria was enough to easily make him one of the top young players of the tournament with three goals and two assists in those three games. Manzambi can play every position in the attack, and he combines elite athleticism with a high level of skill that makes him tough to defend. He is rumored to be joining Newcastle United in the near future. 

Age: 17

Position: Attacking midfielder

Club: Club Tijuana

Although it did not advance to the quarterfinals, Mexico enjoyed many positives from this World Cup. It won its group convincingly and then easily defeated Ecuador in the round of 32, and it was not until its dramatic 3-2 loss to England that it finally conceded a goal. 

But the arrival of Gilberto Mora on the international stage was perhaps the biggest positive for El Tri as Mora was outstanding as he started Mexico’s last three games. He handled the pressure well of starting knockout games at home and at times was leading his team’s attack.

Club Tijuana has a very valuable player on their hands. It will be interesting to see Mora’s next steps. 

Age: 21

Position: Winger

Club: RB Leipzig

Everything Norway wants to do in the attack revolves around finding ways to get Erling Haaland the ball. That typically happens through the team’s wingers and, fortunately for Norway, Antonio Nusa has developed a solid chemistry with Haaland that will only continue to pay dividends into Euro 2028 and the next World Cup.

Nusa was contained in the quarterfinal loss to England, but he was key to the team’s success earlier in the tournament. In the 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast in the round of 32, Nusa scored an important goal.

Age: 21

Position: Left back

Club: Manchester City 

O’Reilly started five of England’s games at this World Cup, which were the ones that the Three Lions won. He plays the fullback position in a very modern way, which requires a lot of athleticism to both defend well and push aggressively into the attack. His absence from the starting lineup against Argentina was surprising, but he will be an important part of the team for years to come. 

As a starter with Manchester City, he has now played well in the World Cup, in the Champions League, and in the Premier League to make him one of the top left backs in the world. 

Age: 21

Position: Right back, central defender

Club: Villarreal

Just 18 months ago, Alex Freeman was a second team player with Orlando City in MLS with no national team experience and limited history at U.S. youth national teams. Since then, he became one of the league’s best defenders, earned a transfer to Villarreal, and became a lock starter with the full national team. 

At this World Cup, Freeman offered head coach Mauricio Pochettino a lot of tactical flexibility with his ability to defend and move into the attack. His elite athleticism was on display at several moments, and he even scored an important goal in the win over Australia. 

Age: 19

Position: Winger

Club: Barcelona

As a runner-up to the Ballon d’Or in 2025, Yamal is the most exciting young attacking player in the world. Entering Sunday’s final, Yamal has just one goal in this tournament, but he has been instrumental in opening the game and making Spain’s attack more dangerous. Against France, he drew a penalty and helped in the build-up to the team’s second goal. He fits Luis de la Fuente’s system beautifully. 

Honorable Mentions

Rayan (Brazil)

João Neves (Portugal)

Lucas Herrington (Australia)

Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa)

]–>

Source