Before Erling Haaland was making history for Norway in the 2026 World Cup, was he dropping rhymes?

Yes, he was.

The superstar striker made a remix of a song he rapped in 2016, “Kygo jo,” with DJ and music producer Kygo, who has worked with high-profile groups/artists including Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons and Selena Gomez, according to ANI. 

Haaland originally released the song with then-Bryne teammates Erik Botheim and Erik Tobias in 2016, forming the group “Flow Kingz.”

In a post to Instagram on July 8, Haaland captioned audio of the remix, saying “made it moment” and asking if this means he’s “officially an artist now?”

As for his work on the pitch, Haaland helped Norway reach the quarterfinal round of the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.

Haaland has been shredding defenses this tournament, scoring seven goals in four games, including three braces (June 16 against Iraq, June 22 against Senegal and July 5 against Brazil); Haaland didn’t play in Norway’s June 26 loss to France. Norway, which advanced through Group I at 2-0-1, went on to defeat the Ivory Coast in the round of 32 (2-1) and Brazil in the round of 16 (2-1).

Next up for Haaland and Norway is a quarterfinal round showdown against England on July 11 from Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida.

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There’s something you should know about me: I’m a romantic. For better or worse, I am often blamed for idealizing emotion. Someone who thrives for beauty out of the simplest things in life. I also love to root for a narrative to be twisted on its head. It brings joy out of something unexpected.  

It’s a helpful character trait for a writer, but sometimes, it can be a detriment for a football analyst.

And this was my dilemma Thursday as France, once again — like a sea monster destroying everything in its sight — won its World Cup quarterfinal, 2-0, against Morocco with history repeating itself, as this was the same scoreline from 2022 in Qatar when Les Bleus won out against the Atlas Lions in the semifinal stage. 

Me, the eternal romantic, thought Morocco could actually create the upset and reclaim a spot in the semifinals once again. 

But my goodness. How silly of me to become so romanticized with the notion that the Northern Africans could even be on the same level as France. In the words of Oscar Wilde: “After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. … Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.” 

And that’s what happened to Morocco, in a blistering heat in Foxborough, southwest of Boston, as Mohamed Ouahbi melted under pressure and played in a way that really was the opposite of what I believed his team to be. 

(Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

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It says a lot when your best player of the day was the wonderful goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, who stopped a first-half penalty from Kylian Mbappé. Maybe then, you thought, Morocco might stand a chance. 

But Mbappé, just like this French side, doesn’t ever stop charging. 

France, in fact, isn’t a team. It is an ocean. And you, Morocco, can only hope not drown in your dinghy. Morocco didn’t register a shot on target until the 82nd minute. It only had five touches in the opponent’s box — France had 25 — and did not register a single big chance. It was lost at sea.

(Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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What angered me was the strategy because this was not the Morocco I knew from this tournament. I was there at New York/New Jersey Stadium in the first match of the group stage, witnessing the magnificent Ayyoub Bouaddi, only 18, turn Casemiro into a middle-schooler. I saw bravery against the Netherlands and tenacity against Canada. 

That’s why today it perplexed me. Morocco, quite simply, showed France too much respect. 

Don’t get me wrong: Didier Deschamps’ team deserves the ultimate respect. But it doesn’t need a red carpet to walk on, which is what happened today. 

And if you allow France to even have an inch, the 2018 winner, 2022 runner-up and 2026 semifinalist won’t take a mile. It will eat your entire map. 

(Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

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Kylian Mbappé continues to marvel at us as he scored his eighth goal of the tournament, leveling Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot race and only one behind the Argentinian in the all-time record of 20. Ousmane Dembélé netted his fifth and Michael Olise has actually transformed himself into somewhat of a modern hybrid version of Zinedine Zidane — a legend who scored but, most importantly, created. 

So now comes the winner of Spain and Belgium, and to me, in this moment, there is no point in romanticizing anything anymore. 

Let’s just call it as it is: This is France’s World Cup to lose. 

And there’s nothing poetic about that statement. These are just the facts. 

France vs Morocco Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Quarterfinals

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France has clinched its spot in the 2026 World Cup semifinals after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco, a game in which Les Bleus proved they were far superior.

Despite not scoring or assisting a goal on the day, one player stood out to Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović: midfielder Michael Olise.

France only won 2-0, but the margin could have been much greater based on the balance of play, and that was despite Kylian Mbappé missing a penalty earlier on after a save from Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored within six minutes of each other in the second half to give France a much-deserved victory.

Despite not registering a goal or assist, Olise still bossed the game as France’s main creative outlet, showing his technical ability and his ability to find teammates with accurate, line-breaking passes. His play earned high praise from FOX Sports analysts Henry and Ibrahimović, who compared him to Tom Brady as Olise put on a display at Boston Stadium.

“I want to talk about the pass of Michael Olise,” Henry said. “… As soon as you get the ball, it’s over. We’re here in Foxborough … Tom Brady, that’s one of your loop passes in between. This team is very good.”

“He did amazing again,” Ibrahimović said of the Bayern Munich star. “He was the point guard. The Tom Brady of France today. 

“When you have a player like Olise … don’t think, just run and the ball will arrive – and it will arrive exactly where you want it.”

France overpowered Morocco in one of the more one-sided quarterfinal matchups in recent history. France never really looked like getting out of second gear. And from the get-go, Morocco looked second best.

“This France team is gonna destroy you, and it feels like they’re not even giving 100%,” Ibrahimović said. “I’m sorry to say, but it feels like that. Imagine if they would push and give 100%, where they suffer and they really push for it and fight for it.”

“This is world-class,” he added. “If I talk about [Kylian] Mbappé, world-class players, you give them a little space, they will punish you. That’s the difference between world-class and the average player.”

France vs Morocco Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Quarterfinals

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France now awaits the winner of Spain-Belgium in the semifinals. Henry believes this France team will have a difficult test no matter which team it faces, and he hopes there is still another level France can reach even after this overpowering performance.

“I hope they’re going to have more gears, because whoever is coming next is going to be a big game,” Henry said.

“If you play Belgium, there is a bit of rivalry there. And if you play Spain, you better be ready because they’re the European champions. You know what Spain can do. They got France out of the last Euros in the semifinal.

“But yeah, let’s be calm, composed, focused. You did what you had to do today, and (did it) well, by the way. On to the next one. Recover, watch the game and see who you’re going to play. Analyze it with whoever you need to analyze it with and get ready.

“It’s going to be, once again, difficult.”

France will take on the winner of Belgium-Spain on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas Stadium (3 p.m. ET on FOX and streaming on FOX One).

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France became the third team ever to reach three straight men’s World Cup semifinals with its 2-0 win over Morocco, and it added to Didier Deschamps’ already stellar resume.

The match marked another milestone for France head coach Deschamps, who coached his 25th World Cup match, tying Helmut Schön for the most in history. With the victory, Deschamps reached 20 overall wins at the World Cup and 10 wins in the knockout rounds, both of which are the highest totals for any manager in the history of the tournament.

Deschamps has announced he will step down from the position after the tournament, but he has made a case to be labeled as the greatest coach in international football in his time at the helm. Following the match, FOX Sports’ “World Cup NOW” crew analyzed the impact of Deschamps on the French national team. Alex Scott highlighted his career achievements as both a player and a manager.

“It’s incredible … in terms of what he managed to win as a player, and now this is his 10th World Cup knockout-game win,” Scott said.

Peter Crouch expanded on Deschamps’ resume, noting his titles at both the club and international levels as a player and manager.

“Yeah, I mean, you know he’s won the Champions League with Marseille. He’s won everything there is in football. He won it as a player, everything, and then again European Championships, the World Cup, potentially twice. … That’d be absolutely incredible,” Crouch said.

Former World Cup midfielder Maurice Edu explained his primary hesitation regarding France, which he predicts will lift the trophy when it’s all set and done this summer. Edu noted the difficulty of achieving tournament success over multiple cycles, though Deschamps and his squad have proved otherwise.

“My only apprehension when I picked France was that getting to three consecutive World Cup finals is pretty difficult, right?” Edu said. “But the thing that kind of reassured me, gave me confidence beyond the depth, beyond the quality of this team, was the quality of the manager.”

Edu pointed to Deschamps’ experience with the roster across multiple tournaments as a primary reason for France’s sustained level of success at international tournaments.

“He knows how to manage these players,” Edu said. “He’s had some of them from the very beginning. He’s had to reintroduce or introduce new faces. He’s had to manage some of the existing players, and I think he’s done an incredible job.”

Didier Deschamps celebrates after France beat Morocco for his 20th World Cup victory. (Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

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Edu also cited specific examples of player management and tactical adjustments during the current tournament.

“He’s pulled all the right strings. He brought (Desire) Doué into the game instead of (Bradley) Barcola to start this match. It’s paid dividends in terms of France finding themselves (in) another semifinal.”

Former Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel agreed, emphasizing that Deschamps’ established record insulates him from criticism within the squad.

“He’s got credit in the bank,” Schmeichel said. “Who can question him? Like, what player can question him? His record speaks for itself as a player and as a coach. … Nobody’s going to dare to question him.”

France vs Morocco Extended Highlights 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Quarterfinals

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Schmeichel added that the manager’s ability to handle high-profile personalities over an extended period remains a key factor in France’s success.

“He’s the main man, and he manages to manage big egos and big personalities,” Schmeichel said. “And you’ve said it yourself. You’ve done it through three cycles now. Lots of big players, and you know he comes out on top every single time. So he must be doing something right.”

Peter Crouch contrasted France’s stability under Deschamps with other national teams that failed to meet expectations despite possessing talented rosters.

“When you talk about those big egos and big players, there’s huge players and massively incredible squads that haven’t been able to gel,” Crouch said. “You look at Portugal, obviously. Look at that midfield, probably the best midfield in the tournament … they haven’t been able to gel. … Belgium, another one. You know, there’s a generation of players there that should have won something that didn’t.”

Crouch noted that other highly regarded groups of players from the current era have struggled to replicate Deschamps’ tournament consistency.

“He’s done it on a consistent basis over three World Cups now,” Crouch said. “Deschamps has managed to get a group of unbelievable players together, but also with the consistency of never letting a tournament slip, consistently being involved in the knockout stages and getting to major finals. So, he deserves great credit for that.”

Didier Deschamps could finish with three World Cup trophies in four appearances as a player and coach combined. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

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Schmeichel evaluated Deschamps’ placement among the sport’s historical managers based on his sustained performances while facing never-ending pressure to deliver.

“For me, the determination of success is sustained success,” Schmeichel said. “To be able to keep doing it over and over again, because it’s one thing doing it, but having the hunger and desire and will to keep doing it. … Because winning is difficult, winning World Cups is difficult, and to have that, you know, that willingness, the time, the energy that it takes to manage these players, manage these teams – (he has) that pressure on (him) every time he steps out of his front door in France.”

Schmeichel concluded that managing the expectations of the French supporters requires a rare level of commitment.

“To have that love of still doing it is incredible, and he is one of the elite managers,” Schmeichel said. “He should be in the bracket of one of the best.”

Crouch finished by pointing out the total number of World Cup titles Deschamps could claim across his career.

“Could you imagine having four World Cups on your shelf?” Crouch said. “Seriously, imagine that.”

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Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has delivered his definitive prediction for the final stages of the World Cup, backing France to lift the trophy once again. The current FIFA chief of global football development insists Didier Deschamps’ men look unstoppable, while naming just one European powerhouse capable of halting Les Bleus’ charge.

Arsène Wenger Backs Les Bleus

Wenger has tipped the French national team to emerge as world champions in this year’s tournament after witnessing the convincing performances of Mbappe and Co. Deschamps’ men have looked formidable in their opening five matches before their scheduled quarter-final clash against Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Boston. Wenger believes Les Bleus possess an extraordinary speed and momentum that will make it incredibly difficult for rival teams to match their strength.

Frenchman Predicts Tournament Victory

The 76-year-old legendary former Arsenal manager shared his in-depth analysis during a guest appearance on Felix and Toni Kroos’ podcast. Wenger emphasised that his prediction is purely based on technical quality on the pitch, rather than any subjective bias as a French citizen.

He stated: “France will win the World Cup. I know you’re going to say it’s because I’m French. But when you analyse the tournament a bit, the train is moving at a certain speed today. And you have to be capable of getting on board that train.”

Spain Pose Tactical Threat

Despite European representatives dominating the quarter-finals, Wenger dismissed England’s chances and believes Morocco and Argentina will struggle to thwart the reigning champions. In his view, only Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja squad possess the collective identity and tactical maturity to trouble the holders.

Wenger added: “For me, the real question mark is Spain. If any team is capable of beating France right now, I would say it’s Spain. Because they have a better technical level than France. They have a quality of collective play, and a culture of collective play, that nobody else in the world has at the moment. Not at this level, anyway. So it’s between those two in my opinion. After that, of course, France is stronger physically.”

Heavyweights Eye Semi-Final Spots

A stern physical and mental test now awaits France as they must contend with a Morocco side intent on gaining revenge for their 2022 semi-final defeat. Should they progress, the road to glory will only become steeper with a potential showdown against Spain’s new golden generation, spearheaded by Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal. Given the impressive form of both nations so far, physical consistency and squad depth will be the ultimate deciding factors in the race for football’s most prestigious trophy.

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The 2026 World Cup continues to bring out the best competition and the wildest wins across the month-long tournament, but what have some of this World Cup’s best goals looked like, and from whom?

Here are the top 10 goals, so far, of the tournament, according to our “World Cup Live” broadcast team as of Thursday:

10.

Is it really a top-10 goal of the World Cup if Lionel Messi didn’t find his way into the rankings?

The World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer and now assists leader, Messi’s goal against Cape Verde takes the No. 10 spot. In one of the most thrilling games of the tournament that went into extra time, Messi’s first touch into his flawless shot helped Argentina defeat Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32.

9.

The U.S. men’s national team’s opening game against Paraguay was one to remember, and so was Gio Reyna’s goal. 

Subbing in at the 82nd minute for Malik Tillman, Reyna helped the U.S. put an exclamation point on the win with his outside-of-the-foot shot from just inside the 18-yard box. 

8.

It was a back-and-forth battle between the two heavyweight teams in the round of 16, but Haaland’s brace sealed Norway’s spot in the quarterfinals. 

Haaland’s second goal came from a long-range, driven on-the-ground shot in the 90th minute that nutmegged a Brazil defender. Following his first header goal, Haaland’s second goal helped Norway clinch their first-ever quarterfinals appearance. 

7.

France’s captain and star striker Kylian Mbappé also found his way into the top-10 goals of the tournament. Of his eight total World Cup goals, his second goal against Senegal comes in at No. 7. 

Mbappé’s goal came in stoppage time, when he dribbled and soared in a shot way outside the 18-yard box that went over the goalkeeper’s head. His goal pushed France into a 3-1 win and marked their first three points in the group stage. 

6.

Another top-10 goal from Norway, but this time, it’s Antonio Nusa’s goal against Ivory Coast. 

Nusa took the space just past his defender that led to Nusa’s shot from the far right and snuck into the top right corner. Nusa’s strike came in the 39th minute that gave Norway an early 1-0 lead in their 2-1 win.

5.

Harry Kane claimed the title of England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with his goal against Panama. Against DR Congo in the round of 32, his brace kept their World Cup run alive. 

When England needed their captain the most, Kane delivered a powerful shot over the keeper’s head that led them to a 2-1 win. Kane currently has six total goals this tournament. 

4.

Belgium vs. Senegal remains one of the most thrilling games of the tournament as Ismaïla Sarr’s second goal comes in at No. 4. 

After a 1-0 lead, Sarr’s first touch with his chest off a long cross turned to shot off the volley made it 2-0, and set the tone for a competitive second half with Belgium. However, Senegal’s tournament run came to a close when Belgium completed the comeback with a 3-2 win in the round of 32. 

3.

Although Haiti’s World Cup debut saw three-straight losses and eliminated in the group stage, that doesn’t mean they still didn’t deliver memorable moments. At No. 3 is Wilson Isidor’s second goal against Morocco.

Isidor split two Moroccan defenders and took a shot from the far left that was merely impossible for the goalkeeper to save.

2.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only group stage win, Kerim Alajbegović delivered Bosnia’s first goal that takes the No. 2 spot. 

In their 3-1 win over Qatar, Alajbegović dribbled through multiple defenders and took a shot from far right that was just out of the goalkeeper’s touch to give them their early 1-0 lead.

1.

Cape Verde’s battle with the World Champions introduced the country — the smallest in the tournament by population — to the rest of the world. Fullback Sidney Lopes Cabral’s heroic second goal takes the cake for best goal in the tournament so far. 

When the Blue Sharks needed to make something happen, Cabral took a shot that soared past Argentina’s back line and perfectly found the top right corner to level with Argentina late. However, their historic run came to a close when Argentina found one more to advance with a 3-2 win. 

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Switzerland’s stars are fully motivated ahead of their monumental World Cup quarter-final showdown against reigning champions Argentina in Kansas City. Skipper Granit Xhaka has declared that his team is eager to cause a significant upset in the tournament, while several players relish the dream privilege of facing Lionel Messi for the first time.

Switzerland Target Tournament Upset

Switzerland successfully advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup after overcoming Colombia via a thrilling penalty shootout in the round of 16. Murat Yakin’s squad are now scheduled to challenge reigning champions Argentina, who recently qualified after a 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt. This duel, to be held at the Kansas City Stadium, is predicted to be the ultimate test for a Swiss side currently holding an eight-match unbeaten streak.

Captain Embraces Tournament Pressure

Xhaka emphasised that the pressure faced by his team has now turned into extra motivation to keep going as far as possible in the tournament. As quoted by Nau.ch, he said: “When you’re this close, the hunger is even greater. It’s a very good kind of pressure we have now – we want to keep going.”

The midfielder reflected on the historic honour of competing against the game’s greatest modern titans before turning his attention to their tactical preparations, adding: “It must be a great privilege for us to be able to play in the Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo era. We haven’t been able to analyse Argentina in depth yet, but we will begin a very thorough analysis tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, striker Cedric Itten and midfielder Remo Freuler shared that sentiment, admitting they view the opportunity to face Messi as an incredible milestone in their respective careers.

Itten said: “It doesn’t get much better than being able to play against Messi. He’s in good form, and we definitely need to be ready for the next game. But you can also see that every match is close – we’re looking forward to Kansas.”

Freuler stated: “I’ve never played against Messi in my career, that’s certainly something special. We deserved to reach the quarter-finals against Argentina. But one thing is clear: We won’t be satisfied with that. We’ll give it our all.”

Attackers Demand Defensive Sacrifice

Fabian Rieder admitted that, as a youngster, he never imagined he would one day share a pitch with the Argentine maestro on the grandest stage of all. He explained: “As a junior, I never would have imagined that I would one day play against Messi. So it’s all the more wonderful that it’s happening now. It will certainly be another cool game in a cool stadium, even if the majority of the team will be Argentinians.”

Forward Breel Embolo and winger Ruben Vargas also warned their team-mates that they must be prepared to suffer to contain La Albiceleste, pointing to the world champions’ fierce never-say-die mentality displayed when they overturned a two-goal deficit against Egypt.

Embolo admitted: “Egypt showed what’s possible. After 70 minutes, everyone would probably have bet on Egypt. But Argentina never gives up, that’s what makes them special. And Argentina has the best player of all time, which makes the match a bit more special. Respect? Yes, we have that. But we know we can hurt any opponent. Including them – we’re hungry.”

Vargas added: “We all know what Argentina is capable of. They are a tournament team. They are world champions – but anything is possible at this tournament.”

Champions Pose Ultimate Test

Switzerland have an extraordinary tactical challenge on their hands as they try to stop an Argentina frontline who have scored in each of their last five World Cup games. Messi tops the tournament’s scoring charts with eight goals and will be the biggest threat to the tight Swiss defence. The Rossocrociati need to be perfect if they are to dampen the collective power of Lionel Scaloni’s men, who are on a 12-game winning run in all competitions.

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A trip to the semifinals is on the line when Spain and Belgium meet on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium in the second quarterfinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As the reigning European Champions and having not conceded a goal through five games at this tournament, Spain enters this game as the clear favorites. But Belgium will not be an easy opponent after the team has come to life in its last three games, where it has scored 12 goals.

This could be a hard-fought game, with the winner taking on a very powerful French team. Here is everything you need to know for Friday at the World Cup:

Spain vs. Belgium

When: Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. ET

Where: Los Angeles Stadium

TV: FOX

Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

After two lackluster draws to begin the tournament, Belgium’s offense has taken its game to another level in the last three games, including a 5-1 win over New Zealand, a 3-2 win over Senegal and, most recently, a 4-1 win over the United States.

The Red Devils have received a balanced scoring attack during this run, with Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans all scoring twice, with Romelu Lukaku also adding three as a substitute. Belgium has also received five goals from substitutes at this World Cup, allowing it to attack effectively for the entire 90 minutes.

(Photo by Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) –>

Head coach Rudi Garcia’s team has been scoring goals with ease, but now must attempt to break through against a defense that has conceded no goals at this World Cup. There are many decisions that Garcia faces.

Veteran midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 35, is not fully match-fit and was rested in the win over the United States. But Garcia might feel the need to start him as the Napoli man has the unique skill to break lines with his passes and create chances against the run of play.

Garcia also faces a question at center forward. De Ketelaere was the Man of the Match against the United States with two first-half goals to set the pace for a blowout win. But veteran Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku, 33, has been excellent off the bench, and he offers a more physically powerful option to go against Spain’s elite defense.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) –>

So much has been made of Spain’s elite defense at this World Cup, with five clean sheets to get the team through. What is even more impressive is that Spain’s defense has excelled under the pressure of close games, not just blowouts. In the round of 16, Spain defeated Portugal, 1-0, with Mikel Merino only finding a winner in second half stoppage time.

A major factor behind the team’s defense is its elite possession, led by Pedri and Rodri, who are arguably the best central midfielder pairing at this World Cup. But the team’s offense needs to pick up as it is not close to the level it showed two years ago at the European Championships when it scored 15 goals in wins over Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and England en route to the title.

Luis de la Fuente’s team has been excellent at this World Cup, but is still capable of a lot more in the attack. Defense has been carrying the day for Spain, but there will come a time when it needs to be the other way around.

Players To Watch

The Arsenal winger has arguably been Belgium’s best player at this World Cup with two goals and two assists so far in the tournament (with those goal contributions all coming in the last three games). He has been instrumental in taking shots and creating chances. He could be the Red Devils’ most important option in trying to break down Spain’s impenetrable defense.

Spain will eventually be required to score more goals to have a realistic chance of winning the title. It will not be able to completely defend its way through the World Cup. Barcelona’s Yamal, 18, is the best teenager in the game and has already been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Through five games at this tournament, he has only one goal and no assists. If he can find the form he displayed this season at Barcelona, Spain will be in great shape.

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Lamine Yamal has become one of the most compelling stories at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The generational prodigy first captured global attention during Spain’s championship run at Euro 2024, where he earned Young Player of the Tournament honors just one day after turning 17. 

Now 18, the FC Barcelona forward is continuing his rapid ascent on the world stage in North America. 

Yamal scored his first career World Cup goal during a 4-0 group-stage win over Saudi Arabia and followed it up with an outstanding performance against Austria, earning Man of the Match honors in the round of 32.

It is the latest chapter for a player who has consistently shattered records, including becoming Barcelona’s youngest-ever debutant and Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer. 

Raised in the humble Rocafonda neighborhood of Mataró, he was famously bathed by Lionel Messi in a 2007 charity photoshoot. He later shattered records as Barcelona’s youngest-ever debutant and Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer. 

Let’s dive deeper in into the lore of Lamine Yamal:

The Meaning Behind The Name

Lamine Yamal carries a name meaning “the trustworthy beauty” in Arabic, chosen by his parents to honor the neighbors who supported them before his birth. (Photo by Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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While soccer fans know him simply as Lamine Yamal, his given names carry a deep personal meaning. 

His full name is Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, with Lamine and Yamal serving as two distinct first names. In Arabic, Lamine translates to “the trustworthy,” while Yamal means “beauty.” 

In the months leading up to his birth in Catalonia, Yamal’s family faced severe financial hardships and emotional uncertainty. During this difficult period, two local neighbors stepped forward to offer financial aid to help keep the expectant family afloat.

His parents chose the names to honor two individuals who provided critical emotional and financial support to the family in the months leading up to his birth.

Meeting Messi As A Baby

Long before he began rewriting the record books for Barcelona, Yamal shared a chance encounter with the club’s greatest icon. 

In 2007, local newspaper Diario Sport and UNICEF organized a charity raffle in Mataró. Yamal’s family won the raffle, earning a spot in a calendar photoshoot. 

The resulting session featured a 20-year-old Lionel Messi holding a six-month-old Yamal in a plastic baby bathtub inside the Camp Nou dressing room. 

The images went viral years later, presenting a prophetic passing of the torch as Yamal began his own career at Barcelona.

Raised In Rocafonda

When he finds the back of the net, Lamine Yamal often forms the numbers 304 with his fingers to honor the postal code of his childhood neighborhood, as depicted on a mural in Rocafonda. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

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Yamal was raised in Rocafonda, a working-class neighborhood in Mataró, Catalonia. 

His father emigrated from Morocco and his mother from Equatorial Guinea. Despite his sudden rise to global fame, Yamal remains deeply connected to his roots. 

When Yamal scores a goal, he often celebrates by flashing the number 304 with his fingers. The gesture represents the final digits of 08304, the postal code for Rocafonda, serving as a permanent tribute to his hometown.

Growing up in this working-class enclave, Yamal learned to play football on concrete pitches and narrow streets, developing the brilliant, unpredictable flair that defines his game today.

For the youth of Rocafonda and similar working-class communities across Europe, he is living proof that greatness can emerge from anywhere.

The Rise Of Yamal

After making his professional debut at age 15, Yamal shattered tournament records at Euro 2024 before bringing his world-class form to the international stage in North America. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Yamal’s footballing journey accelerated quickly after he was scouted at age 6. 

Yamal progressed through Barcelona’s La Masia academy at an unprecedented pace, making his professional debut for the first team at just 15 years old. 

His international breakthrough came at Euro 2024, where he became the youngest player and youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history as Spain went on to claim the title.

Alongside Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsí, he recently made more history against Austria, becoming part of the first teenage duo to start a World Cup knockout match together since Pelé and José Altafini did so for Brazil in 1958.

Global Superstardom

At just 18 years old, Barcelona’s Spanish forward Lamine Yamal has already established himself as the youngest nominee in Ballon d’Or history. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

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Yamal’s rapid ascent to the top of the footballing world has already translated into massive individual fame. 

He has quickly become the centerpiece of major marketing campaigns for global brands like Adidas and McDonald’s. His digital footprint is equally staggering; with over 45 million Instagram followers, he commands a larger audience than Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Mahomes, and Roger Federer combined.

This immense star power was perfectly captured last month in Atlanta, where a massive Powerade advertisement featuring Yamal draped the side of a 42-story downtown hotel. 

The 18-year-old phenom proved he is worth the hype, scoring Spain’s opening goal of the World Cup in a dominant win over Saudi Arabia. Days earlier, video clips of Yamal shopping at a Walmart in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, garnered millions of views on social media. 

Shifting the record books is already second nature for the teenager, who captured the Kopa Trophy, the prestigious global award crowning the world’s best player under the age of 21, and shattered history as the youngest-ever nominee for the Ballon d’Or at 17.

Yet, his true impact isn’t just measured by the individual hardware in his trophy case, but in his ability to take over games and terrorize defenses in the blink of an eye. 

As Spain marches into the high-stakes pressure cooker of the World Cup knockout rounds, the “wonderkid” label has officially been outgrown.

Yamal is the engine of Spain’s championship ambitions, and undeniably one of the most influential titans in global sports today, regardless of age.

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France star Kylian Mbappé has done nothing but stack his numbers every time he takes the stage at the World Cup. As he does so, he’s either on the precipice or already matching all-time records at the World Cup.

So, with Mbappé already approaching some historic marks in the history of the World Cup, is he the best player to ever play in the tournament? Well, FOX Sports’ Peter Crouch thinks Mbappé is well on his way to becoming the World Cup’s GOAT. 

“Mbappé, the numbers are becoming ridiculous. I’m going [to say he’s] potentially the greatest ever World Cup player,” Crouch said of Mbappé after France’s 2-0 win over Morocco. “27 years old, [he has the] most knockout goals, he’s got 20 goals, one behind Messi. He’s potentially playing in three World Cup finals if they get to the final, scored a hat trick in the final that France didn’t win. The numbers are stacking up.”

Mbappé entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup looking to make the final for the third time in as many tournament appearances. While this marks Mbappé’s first World Cup captaining France, he’s also set some records along the way. After he scored in Thursday’s win, Mbappé now has 20 goals at the World Cup, which are the second-most ever. He’s also the first player to score eight goals in two separate World Cups.

As Mbappé continues to add to his World Cup résumé, FOX Sports’ Stu Holden also thinks the France star is entering a category of his own. 

“At 19, he was the first teenager to win the World Cup since Pele. He’s different,” Holden added. “He has it all. When I see him playing at this level, he’s playing a different game than others. I know we all love Messi, but I feel like by the time Mbappé is done, he could be the greatest of all time.” 

In terms of goals, Lionel Messi is the only player Mbappé is chasing in World Cup history. Messi’s the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer with 21. But Messi also has a few other World Cup records to his name, like the most consecutive World Cup matches with a goal (nine) and the most World Cup assists of all-time (nine). 

However, Messi’s played in twice as many World Cups (six) as Mbappé (three). So, Mbappé certainly has time to catch up to the 39-year-old Messi’s records, if he hasn’t by the end of the 2026 World Cup. 

Mbappé & France ADVANCE to Semifinals Kylian Mbappé & Ousmane Dembélé Score Goals to Beat Morocco

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And Thursday was another day where Mbappé’s tenacity was on full display. Following a scoreless first half, Mbappé scored one of the goals of the tournament in the second half to give his side a 1-0 lead. Ousmane Dembélé followed suit shortly after with his fifth goal this tournament in the 66th minute to send France to the semifinals. 

Even if it took Mbappé 60 minutes to score against a competitive Morocco team, FOX Sports’ Kasper Schmeichel knew that he was not going to let up until he found the net. 

“It’s an absolutely phenomenal record. He wasn’t going to be denied today,” Schmeichel said of Mbappé’s growing list of World Cup marks. “His goal was exceptional, the skill and the vision. He is absolutely deserving of all the praise he gets, and he is absolutely undeserving of all the criticism he gets.” 

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