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					<![CDATA[Maradona's 'Hand Of God and 'Goal Of The Century' Joins Top World Cup Moments]]>
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				    <![CDATA[The World Cup is defined by memorable moments. Counting down to the top 100 of all-time.]]>
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				<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:44:49 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[What comes to mind when you think of the top men's FIFA World Cup moments? It could be Diego Maradona carving through England's defense for the Goal of the Century. Or, a legend like Pelé or Lionel Messi raising the trophy up high into the sky. Or something more controversial, like Cristiano Ronaldo's wink after getting Wayne Rooney sent off. Leading up to this summer, we're counting down the most iconic, most controversial, most defining moments in tournament history. Check out today's entry, but keep on reading as we count down to the BEST World Cup moment ever. JUMP TO: 100-90 | 89-80 | 79-70 | 69-60 | 59-50 | 49-40 | 39-30 | 29-20 | 19-10 | 10-1 No. 100: Pure Control, Pure Class, Pure Messi In 2018, the pressure on Lionel Messi was building. Argentina's star captain had gone scoreless through two games, including a 3-0 loss to Croatia. He needed to do something against Nigeria. That's when the Messi magic appeared. Argentina went on to win the game and advance. An unbelievable first touch from Lionel Messi that saved Argentina. And while La Albiceleste were eliminated by eventual champions France in the round of 16, Messi's sublime goal was perhaps the best of the tournament. No. 99: Red Card for … Celebrating?! Vincent Aboubakar made history for Cameroon when he scored a game-winning goal against Brazil in 2022, the first time an African country had defeated the five-time champions in a World Cup setting. The problem was that he was then sent off for excessive celebration. The Indomitable Lions were still eliminated despite the win, with the Brazilians advancing to the knockout rounds. Nonetheless, it was punishment worth the moment of shirtless joy. It even seemed like the referee felt a bit bad for having to hand out that red card. No. 98: Cuauhtémoc Blanco Leaps Into History Trying to shake off around two defenders? You should think about trying this trademark move created by one of the greatest Mexican players to ever live. It was so nice, it's known throughout the world as the "Cuauhtemiña." At the 1998 World Cup, Cuauhtémoc Blanco clamped the ball between his feet did his best impression of a kangaroo by hopping between two South Korean defenders. It may not have produced a goal, but the player from el barrio bravo de Tepito produced a move that has immediately leaped into the hearts and minds of soccer fans since. No. 97: Klinsmann's Roundhouse Flick Long before he coached the United States men's national team at the 2014 World Cup, Jürgen Klinsmann scored a ton of goals for Germany, including this stunner against South Korea. Klinsmann, who four years earlier had helped his country win the World Cup for the third time, would turn what looked like a routine pass reception with his back to the goal into one of the most memorable goals of USA ‘94 with one swivel of his hips. No. 96: This Free Kick Changed USA Soccer History The U.S. men's national team hadn't made a splash at the World Cup in decades – but that all changed it the USA hosted the 1994 edition. It was thanks to a wonder-goal against Switzerland by the USA star Eric Wynalda. Wynalda's unstoppable, curling free kick just before the teams headed to the dressing rooms nearly blew the roof off the Silverdome in suburban Detroit. The match ended 1-1. That point, plus an upset win over Colombia a few days later, was enough to send the USA to the second round, where they took eventual champ Brazil to extra time before losing 1-0. No. 95: One Of the Best Opening Goals Ever In 2006, Germany legend Philipp Lahm scored one of the best opening goals to a World Cup ever. From a distance, Lahm (wearing a cast on his right arm following a recent injury) curled the ball perfectly into the top corner past Costa Rica keeper José Francisco Porras. Of course, it was even sweeter as the Germans were hosting the tournament with high hopes of winning it all on home soil. The hosts fell in the semifinals but Lahm's amazing technique and control on this goal in Munich will be one of the tournament's highlights. No. 94: A Volley For The Ages Tim Cahill is arguably Australia's best men's soccer player ever and that's due to his ability to score in big moments at the World Cup. That included this spectacular volley at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where he showed his technique and ability against the Netherlands. A looping long pass from one side to the Porto Alegre pitch to the other, Cahill one-timed the shot into the net at the perfect angle as the ball kissed the underside of the bar. A stellar goal followed by his trademark fighting-the-corner-flag celebration. No. 93: This Rule Proved Too Cruel A new rule was introduced in the 1998 World Cup round of 16: Golden Goal. Score in extra time, and it’s over. Hosts France were deadlocked with Paraguay at 0-0 going into extra time in their round of 16 matchup at Lens. The ball found Laurent Blanc at the edge of the six-yard box, and he buried it to end the match at 1-0. France advanced; Paraguay was eliminated on the spot. France went on to win it all, but it would be one of the final few countries to benefit from the cruel rule, as it was scrapped altogether six years later. No. 92: First Back-to-Back Champs It didn't take long for the World Cup to have its first dynasty. After lifting the trophy on home soil at the second-ever World Cup in 1934, Italy did it again at France 1938, stamping its legacy forever. Italy might not be the most famous repeat World Cup champions of all time, but it will go down in history as the first. No. 91: A Goal That Deserved A Happier Ending Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal for Scotland in the 1978 FIFA World Cup would have sent them to the knockout stage if they hadn’t fallen short on goal difference against the Netherlands. Gemmill had Scottish fans dreaming of an upset against one of the world's best sides. In the 68th minute, the diminutive midfielder danced away from three Dutch defenders before lobbing a left-footed finish over the keeper Jan Jongbloed. With a two-goal lead, it seemed Scotland would advance. But it was to no avail as the Dutch scored minutes later, leaving the heartbroken Scots wondering what could have been. Instead, the Netherlands advanced on goal-difference and would go on to make a second consecutive World Cup final appearance. No. 90: The Ultimate Team Goal 25 passes. Nine players. One iconic goal for Argentina. At the 2006 World Cup (the first one in which Lionel Messi appeared), Argentina faced a stern test against Serbia in the group stage. It was one of those games where the underdogs knew they would have to be sharp on defense to keep a far more talented Argentina side at bay. Except it didn't work that way, and Argentina pounced from the get-go with an early goal in the sixth minute by Maxi Rodriguez. And that's when the Albiceleste magic took over. In the 31st minute, a patient ballet of teamwork that involved a combination of on-target passes led to Hernán Crespo looping a ball to early-match substitute Esteban Cambiasso. Goal, Argentina. Four more followed – including Messi's first ever at a World Cup.  But Cambiasso's strike stood above all that day. No. 89: A Controversial Goal Affects Three Teams One of the toughest groups at the 2022 World Cup featured Germany (four-time champions), Spain (2010 champions), always talented Japan, and feisty Costa Rica. So you knew that this group was going to have some fireworks. That happened on the final matchday. Germany facing Costa Rica and Japan taking on Spain with all four teams having hope of advancing. At halftime of both matches, it seemed like Spain and Germany would advance, while Japan and Costa Rica would go home. But the script was then ripped apart. In the 51st minute of the Japan-Spain game, Kaoru Mitoma chases the ball down — it looks out. But he crosses it to Ao Tanaka, who scores off an improbable angle. VAR says the ball remained in play by the slimmest of margins. The goal stands. Japan topped the group. Spain also advanced. Germany was eliminated despite beating Costa Rica. Joy and heartbreak all around. No. 88: Three Yellow Cards And One Red-Faced Referee Soccer is known for its simplicity of rules when compared to other major sports. And one of the most well-known rules is that when you get two yellow cards, that equates to a red card and therefore an automatic dismissal from the game. Which is why an error by England official Graham Poll at the 2006 World Cup was so memorable. Poll had shown Croatia's Josip Šimunić two yellow cards in the group-stage finale against Australia, but the player inexplicably stayed on. Only until a third card was shown to Šimunić that the defender actually left the pitch. It was the last World Cup game Poll ever worked as he asked not to be considered for future tournaments on account of his unforgettable mistake. No. 87: Matador Magic! A Star Rises For Mexico at France '98 When your nickname is "El Matador," you better have a killer instinct in front of the net. Luis Hernandez had that and then some as a star striker for Mexico at the 1998 World Cup. By beating South Korea and tying Belgium in their first two group stage games at France ‘98, Mexico appeared well-positioned to progress to the knockout rounds. Still, advancing was not guaranteed. And with the Netherlands looming in their final first-round match, the nerves of El Tri fans were, understandably, frayed. They stayed that way until almost the last kick of the ball. Mexico was losing 2-1 to the Dutch as the contest entered stoppage time. In the other Group E finale being played simultaneously, the Koreans and Belgians were tied. If El Tri lost and Belgium managed to score a late winner, they’d advance at Mexico’s expense. Hernandez, with his trademark flowing blonde hairstyle, wasn’t about to leave anything to chance. Instead of relying on another result, the striker known as "El Matador" pounced on a botched clearance in the box by Dutch center back Jaap Stam and stabbed the ball into the net. The goal pulled Mexico level in the 94th minute. When the final whistle blew moments later, Mexico was en route to the round of 16. No. 86: Hungary's Record Scoreline El Salvador was desperate to produce a respectable showing in just its second tournament appearance, having lost all three of their games and failing to score a goal at the 1970 event. But a lack of funding meant they took just 20 players, two short of the roster limit, and were the last team to arrive for competition. Add in an overly aggressive gameplan from young coach Mauricio "Pipo" Rodriguez, and the result was a 10-1 loss to Hungary in their opener. It remains the most lopsided scoreline in World Cup history. The performance was so humiliating that when ES forward Luis Ramírez Zapata scored to make it 5-1, some of his teammates implored him to tone down his celebration, lest he make the Hungarians angry. Maybe he did; László Kiss came off the bench to score a seven-minute hat trick (also a record) and Hungary added two more goals before the final whistle to complete the rout. No. 85: Bulgaria's Superstar Takes Over Summer of '94 Bulgaria were considered an afterthought. But one man made sure the world remembered them. At the 1994 World Cup, Hristo Stoichkov couldn't be stopped. After converting two penalties against Greece, the Barcelona legend scored against Argentina to secure a place in the knockout round. Then, the magic really started. In the Round of 16, Stoichkov bagged a 6th minute goal, as Bulgaria took down Mexico on penalties. Next came defending champions Germany. Trailing 1-0 in the 75th minute, he and Yordan Letchkov scored three minutes apart for the win. Stoichkov and Bulgaria would ultimately lose in the semifinals, but it was truly an unforgettable run. No. 84: No Era Penal Mexico benefited from some good fortune just to make it to Brazil 2014 — if not for a late goal by their archrival United States versus Panama, El Tri would've failed to qualify out of CONCACAF — but there they were, just moments away from finally reaching the elusive quinto partido, or fifth game, at a World Cup. Then their luck ran out. With just two minutes of the 90 to play, the Dutch made it 1-1 through Wesley Sneijder. Mexico captain Rafa Márquez was then whistled for tripping Arjen Robben inside the penalty box deep into second-half stoppage time. Replays showed that Robben had theatrically embellished the contact, if there was any at all. It wasn't a penalty. That didn't matter. VAR was still four years away from its World Cup debut. Without video review, the call on the field stood, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored from the spot, and Mexico were eliminated in the round of 16 for the sixth straight tournament. No. 83: Sneijder Stands Tall in Dutch Rally At 5-foot-7, Wesley Sneijder was never an imposing figure for the Netherlands. But he knew how to rise in big moments, such as his standout two-goal performance against Brazil in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals. The Brazilians were up early on Robinho's goal in the quarterfinal match, playing about as sound as anyone else in the tournament. But then the Dutch took over. Sneijder first had a deep wide cross that seemingly floated forever and slipped past Brazil keeper Julio Cesar's punchout before skimming off Felipe Melo’s head and into the net. Then it was the diminutive dynamo who scored again to complete the comeback, sneaking through the penalty area and finding space for an improbable header. Even he couldn't believe it, grasping his forehead in delight. But it's the win that kept the Netherlands marching on and eventually reaching the final. No. 82: No Option For Zaire In Loss To Brazil Zaire’s qualification for the 1974 World Cup was a watershed moment for the country. They were the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to make it, and just the third from that continent overall. But what should have been a joyous tournament for Zaire's players turned sinister. After losing their opener 2-0 to Scotland, the players were informed that they wouldn’t be paid their World Cup bonuses. They intended to boycott their next match, against Yugoslavia, but relented after threats from the country’s president, dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Following a 9-0 loss — tied for the most one-sided scoreline in World Cup history — Mobutu told the team not to bother coming home if they lost to Brazil by more than four goals. So, down three late in the game, Zaire’s Mwepu Ilunga raced from the defensive wall and booted the ball down the field. He was yellow-carded for time-wasting, but it was worth it: Brazil didn’t score again, and the match finished 3-0. A lackluster but perhaps life-saving performance for a country who are now trying to qualify in 2026 – this time with hopes of a better outcome. No. 81: South Korea Saves Mexico; Germany Hopes Dashed "¡Coreano! Hermano! Ya eres mexicano!" At the 2018 World Cup, this is how Son Heung-min and South Korea ousted the defending champions and helped out a very grateful Mexico squad. Despite losing to Mexico in their opening match, 2014 tournament winners Germany liked their odds of reaching the knockout stage at the 2018 edition in Russia. All the Germans had to do was beat South Korea by two goals to guarantee a spot in the business end of the competition. As expected, Die Mannschaft dominated the Taeguk Warriors through nearly 90 minutes, but the match was still scoreless. Germany was desperate and pushed as many players as possible forward. Then South Korea pounced on the opportunity as Kim Young-gwon first scored. It was then Son who sealed the whole group's fate with a second goal as time wound down. That meant Germany was out. Mexico, despite getting pummeled by group winners Sweden, were also advancing. A sigh of relief for El Tri fans, who gratefully serenaded Korean players and fans in Russia – and even held celebrations outside of South Korea's diplomatic offices across Mexico. No. 80: Did He Really Mean To Score That Goal? The old saying is that you can make your own luck. And this memorable goal by Maicon, which defied odds and angles, is an example of that. In the summer of 2010, the Brazilian right-back was at his absolute peak. A Treble-winning elite defender for Inter Milan and a stalwart for his country at the summer's World Cup. And it was against North Korea that Maicon produced his signature moment continues to be debated. As Maicon barreled down the flank and into the 18-yard box and caught up to a pinpoint pass by Elano, he powered a shot that whizzed behind keeper Ri Myong-guk and into the net on the tightest of angles. It seemed that Maicon was trying to actually cross to Luis Fabiano, but instead did the job himself. A celebration followed that seemed more relief than joy, and one of the best "Did he mean to do that?" moments in soccer lore was born. No. 79: USA's Pulisic Delivers a Winner The United States men's national team faced immense pressure to make it out of a tough Group B at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after failing to qualify for Russia 2018. The problem? It only managed two points after its matchups with Wales and England. With the U.S. in desperate need of three points in its final group stage match against Iran, Christian Pulisic put his body on the line to get his team on the board, diving in front of a cross to beat the two defenders marking him and colliding with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in the process. This goal sent the U.S. through — and gave Christian Pulisic his World Cup moment. In the 2022 World Cup Group Stage, the United States needed a win to advance. In the 38th minute, Weston McKennie sent in a cross Pulisic was forced off as a result of the collision, but his goal ended up being the difference for the U.S. as it advanced to the round of 16 with a 1-0 win and three much-needed points. No. 78: Richarlison's Wonder Goal Brazil entered the 2022 FIFA World Cup as one of the favorites to go the distance, and that hype only got louder after Richarlison's master class in the Seleção's group stage opener against Serbia. After failing to score in the first half, Richarlison scored a second-half brace, and his second goal will go down as one of the most skillful goals in World Cup history. Richarlison volleyed a cross from Vinicius Junior in the air to himself and scored with an acrobatic scissor kick. Brazil would ultimately bow out of the tournament in the quarterfinals, but it made its mark on the tournament thanks to Richarlison. No. 77: Don't Count Out Dempsey and the USA At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the soccer gods did the United States no favors. A group stage that included tournament heavyweights Germany, a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal squad, and Ghana (the team that had ousted the USA in two straight World Cups). Pundits had written off the USA even before the team reached the tournament, thinking there would be no way coach Jurgen Klinnsman's squad would survive a tough group. Against Ghana, Clint Dempsey scored the fastest World Cup goal in USA history. Ghana equalized before John Brooks rose to the occasion and netted a header for the dramatic game-winner. Against Portugal, Jermaine Jones smashed a stunner that was mooted after Ronaldo's last-second equalizer. A loss to Germany still saw the USA advance into the knockout stage thanks to a goal differential over Portugal. With tough-as-nails playmakers such as Dempsey, Jones and keeper Tim Howard, this USA squad proved a lot of folk wrong. No. 76: Sunday Oliseh's screamer vs. Spain There's something to be said for sheer power. Pretty passing sequences and deftly placed shots are nice and all, but sometimes you don't want to watch the lock get picked — you want to see a ball hit with enough force to blow the entire house down. That's what Sunday Oliseh gave us in Nigeria's first match of the 1998 World Cup. The defensive midfielder wasn't known for scoring — he managed only one other goal in 53 international appearances — but he knew what to do when a Spain clearance fell to him 30 yards from goal with about 12 minutes remaining in the game. Fernando Hierro and Raul scored for Spain on either side of halftime, but Nigeria equalized twice. With time running short, Hierro cleared a Super Eagles throw-in deep in his own end. Oliseh caught it on the half-volley and thundered a low strike just inside the post past stunned La Roja backstop Andoni Zubizarreta. The kick couldn't have been more ferocious. Not only was it enough to give Nigeria the win, but it also helped propel them to the top of Group D. Spain, meanwhile, failed to survive the group stage. Talk about a powerful shot. No. 75: Van Bronckhorst's Blast Giovanni van Bronckhorst wasn’t known as a scorer throughout his long and decorated international career for the Netherlands, for good reason. In 106 appearances with the Oranje, the outside back managed just six goals. And at age 35 in 2010, many wondered if the veteran would even crack Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk’s final 23-man roster for the tournament in South Africa. Van Bronckhorst didn’t just make it, he was named captain. And in the semifinal against Uruguay, he opened the scoring with an audacious, 40-yard, left-footed strike that grazed diving La Celeste keeper Fernando Muslera’s fingertips and kissed the inside of the far post before settling into the net. The only World Cup goal Van Bronckhorst ever scored helped send his country to the title match for the third time, and it remains among the most spectacular in tournament history. No. 74: Five Goals in One Game! Salenko Makes History You’ve heard of a hat trick. But what about a Salenko?When you score five goals in a single game, you’re worthy of having the feat named after you. At the 1994 World Cup, Russian striker Oleg Salenko found the net five times in a 6-1, group stage victory over Cameroon.The win wasn’t enough to help the Russians reach the knockout stage, but Salenko’s record-setting day did go a long way toward him becoming the only player in World Cup history to win the Golden Boot as top scorer despite only participating in the first round.Salenko also scored from the penalty spot against Sweden to finish USA ‘94 with six goals, the same number as Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoichkov, with whom he shared the award. Not bad for a guy who played in four fewer matches. No. 73: Rivaldo’s Oscar-Worthy Diving Performance We all know soccer stars have a penchant for the dramatic. But Brazilian legend Rivaldo may take the Oscar for an all-time acting performance for his inexplicable dive at the 2002 World Cup.During a group stage match, Turkiye's Hakan Ünsal, annoyed that Rivaldo was taking his sweet time preparing to take a corner kick, booted the ball off the Brazilian’s legs. Rivaldo collapsed and began rolling on the turf holding not his thigh — but his face.Ünsal was shown a red card and the ridicule against Rivaldo began. In an era before social media, the video went viral and shown over sports and news and late-night shows alike across the globe. Rivaldo was fined (but not suspended) by FIFA but he also got the last laugh — Brazil won its fifth (and its most recent) World Cup title. No 72: Rooney’s Red and Ronaldo’s Wink A heated moment at the world’s biggest stage between two World Cup heavyweights involved a pair of Manchester United superstar teammates.Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were among the faces of global soccer at the 2006 World Cup. So, when England and Portugal were pitted in the quarterfinals, the world knew sparks would fly.In the second half, Rooney stamped on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho and the referee reached for red. Ronaldo had been pleading to the ref that his Man United teammate should be sent off, and that’s when the cameras caught it: a sly, almost celebratory wink toward the Portugal bench right after Rooney’s dismissal.Portugal would survive on penalties as Ronaldo scores the decider. England’s dream of a World Cup title ends. And that wink — love it or hate it — becomes a defining, unforgettable and controversial moments in World Cup history. No 71: Kuwait's Princely Protest On a list of most bizarre World Cup moments, this would have to be near the top. At the 1982 event in Spain, first time qualifier Kuwait had just gone 4-1 down to France with 10 minutes left in their group stage match. Inside the stadium, Kuwaiti Prince Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah took exception, contending that a whistle from the crowd sounded before Les Bleus scored their fourth goal, causing Kuwait’s players to stop defending thinking Soviet referee Myroslav Stupar had halted the game. The Prince strode onto the field and threatened to pull his country’s players off of it if the ref didn’t reverse his decision — which he did! But France scored again anyway to restore the lopsided victory. The Prince was later fined by FIFA, and Stupar never worked a World Cup match again. Kuwait were eliminated in their final first round match, a 1-0 loss to England. They haven’t been back to a World Cup since. No. 70: The 'Saudi Maradona' Diego Maradona wasn’t the only player to dribble through an entire team and score at a World Cup. And if we’re being fair, the incredible solo goal Saeed Al-Owairan managed to pull off for Saudi Arabia at USA ‘94 was every bit as pretty. Al-Owairan’s run and finish didn’t come in the knockout stage, as Maradona’s slalom had eight years earlier. It didn’t come against England or any other former champion. It began deeper in his own half, though, and he beat one more would-be defenders. And while the Argentine legend picked the lock by calmly rolling the ball home after rounding keeper Peter Shilton, Al-Owairan blasted the door down with a ferocious shot past Belgian netminder Michel Preud'homme. The goal was meaningful, too. Not only did Al-Owairan’s unforgettable strike give Saudi Arabia a 1-0 win, it also sealed their passage to the second round — the only time the country has survived group play. No. 69: The Goal that Saved Germany This goal gave Germany hope — at least for one more game. On the brink of elimination in the group stage at Russia 2018, defending champions Germany were awarded a free kick from just outside the box in the 95th minute. Kroos lined the ball up from a difficult angle and curled the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Germany lives to see another day. Unfortunately for Germany, it only delayed the inevitable. Days later, Germany lost to South Korea and crashed out of the group. A masterpiece in a World Cup that ultimately slipped away. No. 68: Soccer in the USA, Changed Forever In 1994, the United States hosted the World Cup, marking just the second time ever a North American country had hosted the tournament. Across stadiums known for Super Bowls and college football games, more than 3.5 million people attended the tournament with an average of nearly 69,000 spectators per match. It's still the most attended World Cup of all-time. The USA would lose in the Round of 16 to eventual champion Brazil, but the landscape of American soccer was forever changed. A new men’s professional league, Major League Soccer, would be founded two years after the tournament. Stateside soccer fans began to wake up early on the weekends and follow the heroics of European teams and leagues. Soccer truly became part of the sports mindset in this country. Now it’s 2026 and the World Cup is returning to the U.S., co-hosted alongside Mexico and Canada. In many ways, it’s a bookend for the growth of the sport here in the country. But in others, it’s the beginning of a new chapter, with this generation now getting to see up close and personal the greatest sporting event in their own backyard. No. 67: Argentina Sends Mexico Home TWICE! Losing to the same opponent in the same stage in consecutive World Cups can definitely leave fans salty. Which is why a lot of Mexico fans don’t have much love for Argentina. In 2006, Mexican fans could be forgiven for thinking that maybe this was the year their team would advance to the quarterfinals for the first time away from home soil. Argentina and Maxi Rodriguez had other ideas. With the game tied 1-1 and halfway through the first additional 15-minute period, Rodriguez volleyed a curling shot past the outstretched glove of goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and into the side netting. The supernaturally beautiful strike was enough to send Argentina into the last eight. To nobody’s surprise, it was also named the goal of the tournament. Four years later and with the legendary Diego Maradona in charge, Carlos Tevez became the hero (or the culprit) in Argentina’s round-of-16 win over Mexico with a long-range golazo in a 3-1 win in which he scored twice. Same opponent. Same round. Two unforgettable goals. Mexico’s quest of reaching a quarterfinal at a non-hosted World Cup continues to this day. Will that change this summer? No. 66: David Villa Fuels Spain's First World Cup There was a time when Spain memorized the soccer world its midfield mastery, playmaking prowess and incredible chemistry. It led to a golden era for La Roja in which the team won three major titles – the 2008 Euro, the 2010 World Cup, and the 2012 Euro – in a span of four years. The 2010 squad in South Africa was incredibly special and one man provided the scoring prowess that its trademark possession-based system (often labeled as tiki-taka) to make it all click. David Villa scored five of Spain's eight goals at the tournament, and added one assist. He finished as the joint top goalscorer of the tournament along with Thomas Muller, but the German star won the Golden Shoe due to having more assists. No matter. David Villa lifted the hardware that mattered. Villa remains Spain's top goalscorer. No. 65: Diego Forlán’s Mastery of the Infamous ‘Jabulani’ Ball The beauty of each World Cup is how each edition weaves in the traditions and characteristics of the host nations. That’s especially true when the official ball is unveiled. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the Jabulani ball was noted for some of its aerodynamic quirks when in flight. Decorated with African-inspired designs with the name from a Zulu phrase of "be happy," it symbolized South Africa’s culture and remains among the most iconic World Cup balls. It was also hard for some of the players to control it. It floated and dipped and knuckled in all sorts of ways. But one player is arguably synonymous with the ball — Diego Forlán. The Uruguayan striker helped his team reach the World Cup semifinals, the deepest run they since winning its second title in 1950. And while Uruguay failed to reach the final, it was the third-place match against Germany that Forlán scored the goal of the tournament. Five goals overall. Golden Ball winner. In a World Cup featuring a unique ball, Diego Forlán mastered the one thing no one else could. No. 64: The Best Team Ever … To NOT Win a World Cup? The Brazil national football team of 1982 were absolute artists. Led by the elegance of Zico, the intelligence of Sócrates, and the rhythm of Falcão, this team moved like music — fluid, fearless, and beautiful. Every pass had purpose, every attack felt inevitable. Nonetheless, the ultimate objective of winning a World Cup (and one without the legendary Pelé) ultimately fell short during that summer in Spain. But this team will be remembered for being as talented – if not more – than teams that have won the whole thing. Brazil steamrolled its group stage competition against the USSR, Scotland and New Zealand by an aggregate total of 10 goals to 2. In the second phase of the tournament, the Brazilians dominated its fierce rivals Argentina (led by Maradona) before losing an epic 3-2 thriller to eventual champions Italy. No. 63: The Best Team Ever … To NOT Win a World Cup? The pressure was on the host nation in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. South Africa had both the privilege and responsibility of hosting the tournament's first game on African soil, but fans across the continent feared the worst. There were questions about whether the team affectionally known as Bafana Bafana — which got an automatic berth as the home team — could compete with the best in the sport. South Africa had won just one of its six outings over its two previous World Cup appearances, in 1998 and 2002, and the country had failed to qualify for the 2006 event. In other words, the pressure was on. So when Siphiwe Tshabalala hit a long-range missile past Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez and into the very top corner of the net in front of a packed stadium in Johannesburg, the entire continent erupted. It turned out to be the high point for the hosts, who conceded a late equalizer to El Tri and eventually became just one of two home sides not to qualify for the knockout stage (Qatar also failed in 2022). But Tshabalala's effort will forever live on. No. 62: Beckham Bends It to Save England David Beckham's time at the 1998 FIFA World Cup will forever be overshadowed by the red card he received in England's Round of 16 matchup with Argentina — so much so that many forget that he was actually the Three Lions' saving grace in the group stage of the tournament. In 1998, Beckham was on the cusp of soccer superstardom and just becoming a global icon we now know him for. With England facing elimination in its final group stage match against Colombia, England coach Glenn Hoddle gave into the pressure to play Beckham after sitting his young star in the first two group stage matches. Beckham proved himself to his skeptic coach by scoring his first international goal for England and doubling England's lead over Colombia. England went on to win the match 2-0 and advanced as the runner-up in Group G behind Romania. And that ubiquitous term "Bend it like Beckham" began to filtrate across the world. No. 61: Biggest Robbery Ever? USA Not Awarded A Handball The United States men’s national team could have made the 2002 FIFA World Cup final. In fact, they should have at least made the semifinals. And yet, they didn’t. Why? An obvious handball that wasn’t called in the quarterfinal against Germany. Arguably the most controversial moment involving the USA at any World Cup tournament. In 2002, the USA was primed for a run at the tourney co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. Led by a young core that included emerging talented duo Landon Donovan and Brian McBride, the USA defeated Portugal 3-2 and finished runner-up to group winners South Korea. In the Round of 16, they recorded a 2-0 victory over rivals Mexico behind goals from McBride and Donovan. Next, it was on to the quarterfinal against powerhouse Germany. Michael Ballack got the Germans out to an early 1-0 lead in the 39th minute. The Americans responded with several attacking plays to start the second half. - What if … the USA had been awarded THAT handball? But in the 50th minute, everything changed. Off a corner kick by Donovan, the ball landed to a wide-open Gregg Berhalter, who took a shot at goal from just a few yards out. German keeper Oliver Kahn was able to barely save the shot, but the ball would bounce off midfielder Torsten Fring' arm. Immediately, USA players began clamoring for a handball, and when the replay was shown — it was clear as day. However, referee Hugh Dallas didn't call it. And with VAR not yet in existence, the call was irreversible. Had it been called, the USA would have been awarded a penalty kick, and Frings would have been sent off, and the Stars and Stripes would have kept the momentum against a 10-man German side. Germany survived and eventually made it to the final, where they would fall to Brazil. As for the Americans? It remains the biggest "what if" moment in its soccer history. No. 60: Senegal Roars Into the Limelight In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Senegal came with little to no expectations. But, after a shocking win against defending champions France, The Lions of Teranga wrote a Cinderella story like no other. France, also the reigning European titleholders at the time, probably had a more talented team than the one they fielded during their triumphant run to the trophy four years prior. They were significantly more experienced. Senegal, by contrast, were participating in their first World Cup. The former French colony took a 30th minute lead on a goal by the wonderfully-named Papa Bouba Diop, who shot the ball while in a seated position. Senegal rode the momentum generated by their tournament-opening victory all the way to the quarterfinals. As for Les Bleus? Not only did France also fail to win either of their next two games, they exited the competition after the group stage without having managed a single goal. No. 59: David Luiz Caps Off Goal With Karate-Kick Celebration When Brazil hosted the 2014 World Cup, the whole event felt like one never-ending party. And the host team, fully aware of the pressures and expectations on their shoulders, needed to put on a show.The quarterfinals saw Brazil take on South American rivals Colombia, a squad that became one of the darlings of the tournament behind star midfielder James Rodriguez. But the Brazilians weren’t going to back down. And one of its most vocal leaders, defender David Luiz, ensured they’d keep the run going with a stunning second-half free-kick goal from 40 yards out that effectively sealed the game.Equally memorable as his knuckle-balling goal that befuddled Colombia keeper David Ospina was Luiz’s celebration, not to mention his signature locks of bouncing curly hair. As the goal sailed into the net, Luiz feverishly ran and karate-kicked the corner flag as his teammates joyously mobbed him.A moment that felt like Brazil’s last hurrah of the tournament. Captain Thiago Silva would be forced to miss the semifinal match against Germany for yellow card accumulation. Superstar Neymar suffered a devastating back injury that also kept him out of the semifinal. How did that turn out? We’ll get to that soon enough. No. 58: An Unlikely Hero in France's 2018 Run During the 2018 Round of 16, France was trailing Argentina by a goal and were in danger of being eliminated. After letting an early lead slip away, Les Bleus needed to keep up with La Albiceleste’s firepower and an unassuming hero stepped up. Just before the hour mark, French defender Lucas Hernandez sent over a cross that took a pair of bounces before landing in front of teammate Benjamin Pavard, who had never scored an international goal up to this point in his career. Pavard would hit a half-volley with his right foot, which created a top-spin effect that sent the ball swerving into the top-left corner, far beyond reach of Argentinian goalkeeper Franco Armani. The goal would flip the momentum back on France’s side as a then 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a four-minute span to give his country the lead and eventually a 4-3 victory. Pavard’s goal would later be voted as the goal of the tournament as France went on to defeat Uruguay, Belgium, and Croatia to lift the nation’s second World Cup Trophy. No. 57: 16 Yellow Cards and 4 Reds? The ‘Battle of Nuremberg’ No match in World Cup history has seen more cards given out. Portugal and Netherlands turned this 2006 Round of 16 clash into a record-breaking foul fest. By the time the final whistle blew, referees had shown 16 yellow cards and 4 reds, both World Cup records that still stand today. A 21-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo left early due to injury in tears. Luis Figo connected with a headbutt. Players argued, pushed, and collided for 90 minutes. In the midst of all the chaos, Maniche scored the lone goal in the 23rd. Portugal won 1-0 and advanced. But the scoreline was almost an afterthought. The "Battle of Nuremberg" remains the most ill-tempered match the World Cup has ever seen. No. 56: Italy Upset By North Korea at 1966 World Cup The most unlikely World Cup upset is not Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina in Qatar in 2022. That honor actually belongs to North Korea, who stunned Italy during the 1966 World Cup in England, the only country other than Brazil with multiple world titles to that point. The newcomers' prospects looked grim after a 3-0 loss to the Soviet Union and a 1-1 draw with Chile, leaving them as massive underdogs for their final group match in Middlesbrough. However, the unthinkable happened when Pak Doo-ik scored just before halftime. North Korea's defense held firm, securing a 1-0 victory that eliminated the Italians and made North Korea the first Asian team to reach the knockout stage. They nearly repeated the miracle in the quarterfinals, racing to a 3-0 lead against Portugal before eventually collapsing in a 5-3 loss. North Korea didn’t qualify again for 44 years and is still chasing its second tournament win. No. 55: Saudi Arabia's Upset Over Argentina Stunned the World We all remember how the 2022 World Cup ended, with Lionel Messi lifting the trophy for Argentina after the insane win over France in the final at Qatar's Lusail Stadium. But do you recall how Argentina's World Cup campaign started at that very same stadium only weeks before? What was supposed to be a routine group-stage opener against a less heralded Saudi Arabian side turned into one of the most memorable upsets ever at the World Cup. Messi even had his team up by a goal early thanks to a penalty, but two second-half goals saw the Saudis rally and get the win. Salem Al Dawsari's eventual game-winner was one of the tournament's most memorable goals, and included his iconic celebration flip. The result was a wakeup call for one of the tournament favorites. One that they would bounce back and eventually make their way to the final. As for the Saudis? They became overnight legends with the country even declaring a holiday for their Green Falcon heroes. No. 54: Ronaldinho's Fantastic Free Kick Whether it was a calculated masterpiece or a fortunate fluke, Ronaldinho’s epic 50-yard free kick against England in the 2002 quarterfinals remains one of the World Cup’s best goals in the tournament’s history. After Michael Owen and Rivaldo traded first-half goals, Brazil earned a set piece deep in midfield five minutes after the break. Expecting a routine cross, England goalkeeper David Seaman drifted off his line. Instead, Ronaldinho lofted a daring strike that sailed over the backpedaling keeper and tucked neatly under the crossbar. The goal secured a 2–1 lead that Brazil never relinquished, sending one step closer toward their record fifth world title. Regardless of whether it was intended to be a shot or cross, the audacity of the strike solidified Ronaldinho’s legend in football history. No. 53: Never Doubt Cristiano Ronaldo On the second day of the 2018 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a performance for the ages, netting a legendary hat trick to rescue a 3–3 draw against rivals Spain. This clash of titans became an instant classic, fueled entirely by Ronaldo’s individual brilliance. He opened the scoring early with a composed penalty and restored Portugal’s lead before halftime with a powerful strike that slipped through David de Gea’s grasp. After Spain surged ahead 3–2, the stage was set for a final act of heroics. In the dying minutes, Portugal earned a free kick at the edge of the box. With the world watching, Ronaldo curled a sublime, dipping shot around the wall and into the top corner. De Gea didn't even move. This stunning equalizer completed his hat trick, making him the oldest player to score three goals in a World Cup match and cementing this masterclass as an all-time tournament highlight. No. 52: When Ronaldo Became King The 2006 World Cup in Germany served as the ultimate stage for Ronaldo Nazário to cement his status as football’s premier "O Fenômeno." Entering the tournament just behind the legendary Gerd Müller’s long-standing record of 14 goals, the Brazilian striker carried the weight of historical expectation on his shoulders. The record-breaking moment arrived in the Round of 16 against Ghana. In typical R9 fashion, he timed a clinical run to perfection, immobilized the goalkeeper with a signature step-over, and slotted the ball into the net. This 15th career World Cup goal officially moved him past Müller, establishing a new benchmark that would stand for eight years. While Miroslav Klose eventually surpassed this total in 2014, Ronaldo’s achievement remains a pinnacle of sporting excellence. It wasn't just about the volume of goals, but the artistry and dominance he displayed across three different tournaments cemented his legacy as one of the greatest strikers to ever step foot on the pitch. No. 51: Croatia's Insane Run For generations, the World Cup final was an exclusive club. Between 1978 and 2014, every championship match featured previous finalists, with no new nation reaching the ultimate stage since 1974. In 2018, Croatia decided to crash the party. Led by Luka Modric, they defied the "usual suspects" narrative to become the second-smallest nation ever to reach the final. While their path through Denmark, Russia, and England was arguably smoother than France’s gauntlet against powerhouses like Argentina and Belgium, their ascent wasn't a total fluke as Croatia previously secured a third-place finish in 1998. Ultimately, France claimed the trophy in a 4-2 thriller, but by ending a 44-year drought for first-time finalists, the "Vatreni" proved that the sports world's most prestigious stage was no longer reserved solely for the traditional powers. No. 50: Best Mexico Goal Ever Manuel Negrete’s iconic goal against Bulgaria in 1986 is a cornerstone of World Cup history. In front of over 114,000 fans at the Estadio Azteca, the Mexican midfielder played a quick one-two with current national team head coach Javier Aguirre before launching into a sideways scissor kick, beating the Bulgarian keeper without the ball ever touching the ground. The goal paved the way for a 2-0 victory, sending Mexico to the quarterfinals for only the second time in their history. Mexico has not returned to that stage in the decades since, but the goal’s reputation has never faded. In 2018, a global FIFA fan vote officially recognized the strike as the greatest goal in the tournament's history. Negrete’s effort remains a definitive highlight of the 1986 tournament, perfectly capturing a rare moment of home-nation triumph while marking the last time Mexico reached the quarterfinals or as fans famously refer to it, "el quinto partido." No. 49: Heartbreak for Maradona History refused to repeat itself during the 1990 World Cup. Four years after Diego Maradona hoisted the trophy in Mexico City, he returned to the final seeking a historic back-to-back title. However, Rome offered no encore for the Argentine captain. Instead, it provided the opportunity for West German revenge. The match reflected the tournament’s broader tactical issues, defined by the lowest goals per game average at any World Cup. In response, FIFA implemented a pair of rule changes for future editions of the tournament, adding an extra point for wins to reward offensive play and preventing goalkeepers from collecting back-passes with their hands. For the first time in World Cup history, a team was held scoreless in the final, Argentina also became the first defending champion to reach the final, only to leave as runners-up. The stalemate finally ended in the 85th minute when Andreas Brehme slotted home a clinical penalty. As the whistle blew on a 1-0 victory, Maradona’s dream of a repeat vanished, replaced by the sight of West Germany lifting the trophy they had lost to him and Argentina just four years prior. No. 48: No Red Card?! De Jong's Studs-Up Kick Shocks Spain The 2010 World Cup final is often remembered for a single shocking moment: Nigel de Jong’s flying, studs-to-the-chest kick on Spain’s Xabi Alonso. In any other setting, the challenge would undoubtedly be a red card, yet on soccer’s biggest stage, De Jong somehow escaped with only a yellow. Referee Howard Webb later admitted his view was obstructed from behind Alonso, leaving him—unlike a billion stunned viewers at home—unaware of the tackle's true brutality. In an era eight years before VAR could intervene, the "Oranje" midfielder remained on the pitch, fueling a physical encounter that featured 14 yellow cards, the most ever in a final. Spain secured their first-ever world title when Andrés Iniesta scored the decisive goal in extra time. The Netherlands were left with a third final defeat, but De Jong’s kick remains one of the most controversial moments in tournament history. No. 47: James Rodríguez and Colombia Delight the World in 2014 Entering the 2014 World Cup as a rising talent playing for Monaco, James Rodríguez used the stage in Brazil to cement himself as a national hero. While he arrived with only five international goals, he departed as the tournament’s most electrifying force. The 22-year-old orchestrated a run that redefined Colombian soccer history, propelling Los Cafeteros to their first-ever quarterfinal. His signature moment came in the Round of 16 in an unreal sequence of technical perfection where he cushioned the ball on his chest before turning and sending a volley that deflected off the crossbar and into the net. That "turn-and-strike" missile earned the FIFA Puskás Award for the year's most beautiful goal and secured him the Golden Boot for most goals scored at the tournament. Rodriguez’s 2014 run reached a climax when he signed with Real Madrid later that summer becoming the face of his national team almost overnight. No. 46: Beckham and Owen — Remembered For Different Reasons The 1998 World Cup Round of 16 clash between England and Argentina remains defined by two moments at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum: Michael Owen and David Beckham. The match in Saint-Étienne, France, reached a fever pitch when 18-year-old Owen produced one of the greatest solo goals in history. After collecting the ball at midfield, the teenager moved past two defenders before firing a shot into the corner, far beyond reach of the keeper. However, the celebratory energy turned to anger shortly after halftime. After being fouled by Diego Simeone, Beckham—still lying on the turf—retaliated with a bad-tempered flick of his heel. Simeone might’ve exaggerated the contact on his end, but it was too late for Beckham as referee Kim Milton Nielsen booked him for a red card. England battled to a 2-2 draw with ten men but ultimately fell on penalties. While Owen’s wonder goal launched a superstar, Beckham was cast as a national pariah, a shadow he wouldn't escape until his redemptive free-kick against Greece years later. No. 45: Goals, Tussles and Drama: Argentina-Netherlands Had It All From last-minute goals to heated confrontations and a dramatic penalty shootout, this unforgettable battle had everything football fans search for. The 2022 quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands was an unforgettable battle in the latest meeting between the two rivals. Lionel Messi’s march toward the final seemed certain as Argentina coasted to a 2-0 lead. But Wout Weghorst had other plans and the "Battle of Lusail" soon descended into beautiful, tactical carnage. As tackles flew and a record 18 yellow cards were brandished, the tension hit a breaking point. In the 101st minute, a daring, low-pass free kick fooled the world, allowing Weghorst to equalize and send the match into extra time. Ultimately, Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez would become a national hero. During the shootout, the Argentine keeper’s heroics, ignited by pure defiance, denied the Dutch twice and kept Messi’s dream of lifting the World Cup trophy alive. It was a night defined by fury and flair, cementing its place as one of the most chaotic matches in World Cup history. No. 44: Italy Stifles Hosts Germany's Dream of World Cup Glory In the dying minutes of a grueling 2006 World Cup semifinal match between Germany and Italy in Dortmund, the atmosphere was suffocating. Despite the roar of 65,000 fans at the Westfalenstadion, the overwhelming majority of whom were supporting the hosts, Germany remained deadlocked with Italy late in extra time. Just as a penalty shootout seemed inevitable, Italy struck. Andrea Pirlo delivered a sublime, no-look pass to the unmarked Grosso, who sent a first-touch curling shot past the diving Jens Lehmann. The stadium went silent. As a desperate Germany scrambled forward for an equalizer, Alessandro Del Piero punctuated a clinical counterattack a minute later to secure a 2-0 victory. Germany’s dream of winning a World Cup on home soil vanished. The dramatic ending propelled the Azzurri to the final, where they defeated France to claim their fourth World Cup title. No. 43: The Inaugural World Cup in 1930 Makes History The 1930 World Cup in Uruguay marked the beginning of a new dawn for global soccer. In an era without qualification, every FIFA nation was invited, and 13 teams – including the United States – gathered in Montevideo for the inaugural tournament. As the reigning back-to-back Olympic champions from 1924 and 1928, Uruguay was the choice for the inaugural host, over several European bidders. The atmosphere reached a climax during the final at the Estadio Centenario, where over 90,000 fans packed the stands for a battle between the hosts and Argentina. The first World Cup final was famously defined by a dispute over the equipment. Both teams insisted on using their own ball. To settle it, an Argentine ball was used for the first half and a Uruguayan one for the second. Down 2–1 at the break, La Celeste switched to their preferred ball and the hosts took total control, netting three unanswered goals after the break to secure a 4-2 victory. FIFA President Jules Rimet presented the original trophy that would later be named after him to the winners, formalizing Uruguay’s status as the world’s first official champion. As for the USA? That team finished in third place, still the best ever position by the men's team at any World Cup. No. 42: The Secretary of Defense In the 2014 World Cup Round of 16, Tim Howard’s record-setting performance rewrote the history books and earned him the nickname 'The Secretary of Defense.'. In Salvador, Brazil, Belgium’s high-caliber offense launched wave after wave of attacks, only to be met by a one-man barricade. Though Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku eventually found the net, Howard refused to yield, finishing the night with 16 saves—the most ever recorded in a World Cup match. Tim Howard’s performance was nothing short of heroic. By the time the match reached extra time, he had already racked up 11 saves. "I don't know how you're going to survive the mobs when you come back home, you're going to have to shave your beard so they don't know who you are,"  former President Barack Obama said to Howard over the phone. Despite a heartbreaking 2-1 loss, Howard was the undisputed Man of the Match and delivered arguably the most memorable individual performance in American soccer history. No. 41:  Maradona, Argentina Win Memorable Title in '86 The 1986 World Cup in Mexico cemented Diego Maradona's reputation as the greatest player on the planet; Argentina's little magician scored five times (including two of the most famous strikes in the sport's history), led the Albiceleste to their second title and was overwhelmingly voted the Golden Ball winner as the tournament's top player. The only thing Maradona didn't do, it seemed, was score the World Cup-winner for his country. That honor instead fell to Jorge Burruchaga, who capped a wildly entertaining final by breaking a 2-2 tie against West Germany with just four minutes of regular time remaining. The Germans, trailing 2-0 deep into the second half, had stormed back. They had marked Maradona out of the game to that point, with Lothar Matthäus never more than a yard away from his fellow No. 10. And they had all the momentum following Rudi Völler's 83rd minute strike in front of more than 114,000 spectators at Estadio Azteca. Burruchaga changed all that with one slick run and finish after receiving a slick seeing-eye pass from — who else? — El Diego. No. 40: Portugal Roars Back Behind the ‘Black Panther’ In 1966, North Korea arrived at the World Cup quarterfinals as the ultimate underdog in the quarterfinals against Portugal. Having already stunned the world by eliminating Italy— widely considered one of the tournament's greatest upsets — North Korea became the first Asian nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage. Within 25 minutes, the North Koreans seemed poised for an even bigger miracle at Goodison Park after storming to a shocking 3-0 lead over Portugal. However, the momentum shifted behind the brilliance of Eusébio. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner delivered a legendary performance, spearheading a relentless Portuguese rally. Portugal roared back, scoring five unanswered goals, four of which were netted by Eusébio himself. The ‘Black Panther’ would go on to win the Golden Boot as he finished with nine goals. Portugal’s journey eventually ended in the semifinals against the host nation and eventual champions, England. To this day, the 5-3 result remains one of the greatest comebacks the World Cup has ever seen. No. 39: A Germany Legend Seals A Title At Home Gerd Müller scored an astonishing 68 goals in just 62 games over the course of his international career, but one of them stands out above the rest. During the 1974 World Cup final, West Germany was locked in a 1-1 stalemate against the Netherlands, at Munich's Olympiastadion. Müller scrambled back to control a pass in the area, pivoted, and instinctively slotted a low shot past the keeper. That chaotic yet beautiful goal put the Germans ahead 2-1 and secured the nation’s second world championship. It was more than just a trophy-winner; it was Müller's 14th and final World Cup goal, cementing his legacy as one of the best finishers to ever play the game. Müller's parting gift gave his home crowd a memory that would last a lifetime. No. 38: Frank Lampard's Goal That Wasn't Against Germany Everyone in the stadium seemingly saw this goal—except the referee. When England met Germany in the 2010 World Cup Round of 16, history repeated itself in the most ironic way possible. In the 1966 final, Geoff Hurst scored a controversial "phantom goal" against West Germany that led to England’s only title. Forty-four years later, Germany finally got their revenge. With England trailing 2-1, Frank Lampard launched a screamer off the crossbar. Replays showed the ball bounced clearly past the goal line, but the officials ruled it no goal. Tens of millions of fans watched the robbery unfold live on television. Deflated, England collapsed to a 4-1 loss—their worst World Cup defeat ever. But the injustice wasn't for nothing. This massive blunder helped usher in Goal-Line Technology in 2014 and later VAR in 2018. No. 37 Garrincha steps up in place of the injured Pelé When Brazil arrived in Chile for the 1962 World Cup, the plan for every opponent was simple: Stop Pelé. But two games in, disaster struck the Seleção, Pele, the world’s greatest player was forced out due to injury. When a Brazilian legend fell, a hero rose — Manuel Francisco dos Santos — aka Garrincha. Garrincha decimated England in the quarterfinals with two goals, then broke Chilean hearts with two more in the semis. Even though he was booked for a red card against Chile, he was cleared for the final where he led Brazil to a 3-1 victory over Czechoslovakia. Pelé was limited to the role of spectator, but Garrincha led Brazil to become only the second team to win consecutive titles and became the first player to win both the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer and Golden Ball as its best player in World Cup history. No. 36: Mbappé, France End Croatia's Unlikely Run An unconventional scoreline with the unlikely finalist. The crowning moment for a talented youngster. The 2018 World Cup final stood out on its own. Unlike previous World Cup finals, Croatia and France came to play in 2018. The Croatians – in their first final ever of a major tournament – were all over Les Bleus early, but France took the lead against the run of play on an 18th-minute own goal by Mario Mandžukić. Ten minutes later, the score was even again courtesy of Croatian veteran Ivan Perišić. The video assistant referee then awarded a penalty to France after spotting a handball in the box. Antoine Griezmann converted it to restore his team's advantage at the half. That's when a memorable second half broke out. France star midfielder Paul Pogba restored the two-goal before Mandžukić made up for his earlier error to give Croatia some life. But Kylian Mbappé then scored the clincher as he became the first teenager since Pele to score in a final. France stood as 4-2 winners (the highest-scoring World Cup final since 1966) for its second World Cup title. No. 35: Paolo Rossi's Return Paolo Rossi had barely played in two years. Banned for his involvement in the betting scandal that rocked Italian soccer in 1980, the forward returned to the field with club side Juventus with just three games left in the 1981-82 Serie A season. That was enough for Azzurri manager Enzo Bearzot, who controversially included Rossi on his roster for the 1982 World Cup in Spain. It looked like a severe miscalculation at first. The striker went scoreless through Italy’s first three games, and Bearzot was under intense pressure to drop him from the starting lineup. That he didn’t succumb to it looks like a masterstroke now. While Rossi didn’t score as Italy first defeated defending champion Argentina, he exploded for three goals in the Azzurri’s fifth game, a 3-2 triumph over Brazil that sent his country to the final four. The seal broken, Rossi had both goals in the 2-0 semifinal victory over Poland in the semis before finding the target for the sixth time in three matches in the final, a 3-1 win over West Germany that gave the Italians their first title since 1938. Not only did Rossi take home the Golden Boot as the tournament’s goal leader, he also won the Golden Ball as MVP. No. 34: South Korea's Historical Semifinal Run Came With Controversy The benefits of home-field advantage are given for any World Cup host. South Korea’s bordered on the absurd in their Round of 16 meeting with Italy in 2002. South Korea stunned Italy in one of the most controversial matches in FIFA World Cup history during the 2002 World Cup Round of 16, featuring disputed referee calls, a disallowed Italian goal, and Ahn Jung-hwan’s dramatic Golden Goal winner. The Azzurri might have known it wouldn’t be their night when the Koreans were awarded a phantom penalty just three minutes in. The effort was saved by Gianluigi Buffon, the last bit of good fortune they’d get. With VAR still 16 years away, Italy had two apparent goals — including one in extra time — controversially ruled offside. They also saw maestro Francesco Totti shown a second yellow card during the additional half-hour for diving; replays suggested it should’ve been a foul and a potentially match-deciding penalty instead. Italy just couldn’t beat both the host and the officiating; Ahn's game winner for the South Koreans mercifully ended the contest with just three minutes left. No. 33: No ‘Last Dance’ For Maradona The 1994 World Cup in the USA was to be the fourth and final trip to the planet’s greatest sporting event for Argentina superstar Diego Maradona. After leading the Albiceleste to the 1986 title in Mexico and then to a runner-up finish four years later in Italy, he had dreams of going out on top. In their first game against Greece. Maradona scores and celebrates wildly—eyes wide, veins bulging, screaming into the lens and for one moment, it looked like redemption. Days later, Maradona tests positive for a banned substance. Despite Maradona's claims that the drug was taken as part of a weight-loss regimen, FIFA upheld the ban. The 33-year-old icon is removed from the tournament—and from the World Cup camp entirely. Maradona never plays for Argentina again. That celebration becomes the last image the world sees of Maradona on the biggest stage. No. 32: Götze, Germany Break Messi's Heart in Rio de Janeiro Mario Götze scored one of the most iconic goals in FIFA World Cup history, delivering Germany a dramatic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil with a stunning extra-time finish. Götze’s unforgettable game winner at the iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janiero crushed Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream and secured Germany’s fourth FIFA World Cup title in one of football’s greatest finals. But the 2014 World Cup finale still wasn't what anyone would describe as a thing of beauty. With just seven minutes of extra time to go and still no goals on the scoreboard, the possibility that this would become just the third World Cup championship match to be decided by the dreaded penalty kick tiebreaker felt inevitable. One moment of artistry by Götze changed all that. In the 113th minute, Götze found himself on the end of a cross from fellow substitute André Schürrle. Götze caught the ball on his chest and before letting it hit the ground, side-volleyed it with his left foot across Argentine keeper Sergio Romero and inside the right post. It's arguably the prettiest World Cup-winning goal of all time. No. 31: Mario ‘El Matador’ Kempes Secures Argentina's First Star Long before Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona became household names, Mario Kempes was the hero who established Argentina as a global soccer powerhouse. Known as "El Matador," Kempes spearheaded the nation’s journey to its first-ever World Cup title in 1978 on home soil. While he started the tournament slowly, he exploded in the knockout stages, eventually leading the competition in scoring with six goals. His most iconic moment came during the final in Buenos Aires against the Netherlands. With the match deadlocked in extra time, Kempes found the back of the net in the 105th minute to put Argentina ahead 2-1. That strike secured the trophy and earned him both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball as the tournament's MVP. He remains one of only three players in history to win the World Cup, the top scorer award, and the MVP trophy in the same year—a feat even Messi and Maradona never achieved. No. 30: ‘Dos a Cero' The United States had stunned Portugal — one of the pre tournament favorites — in their 2002 opener. They’d tied co-host South Korea in their second group stage game. Yet there they were on the brink of elimination, down 3-1 to Poland late in their third before the Koreans gave them a gift by knocking the Portuguese out and sending the US on to the knockout stage. The Americans got another gift in the round of 16: a date with neighbor and chief rival Mexico. It wasn’t that El Tri was weak; Javier Aguirre’s team had surprised most observers by topping a group that contained three time champion Italy. (The Azzurri would win a fourth title four years later.) Mexico was a familiar foe, though. And the U.S. had beaten them before – including a 2-0 win in 2001 to open the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Brian McBride gave the Stars and Stripes an early lead, and Landon Donovan – later named the tournament’s best young player — put El Tri away with a later second-half header. The U.S. would torment Mexico by the same "dos a cero" score line often over the next two decades, including in qualifying for the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022 World Cups. But the one that eliminated their arch nemesis on the global stage remains the mother of them all. No. 29 The Flying Dutchman: Van Persie's Acrobatic Feat Shocks Spain The 2014 World Cup group stage presented the Netherlands with a haunting sense of déjà vu. A rematch of the 2010 Final against a Spanish side that had previously left them in tears. When Xabi Alonso buried a first-half penalty, it seemed the "Oranje" were destined for another heart-wrenching "what if." Then, the trajectory of international soccer shifted. In the 44th minute, Daley Blind launched a speculative diagonal ball toward Robin van Persie. Rather than controlling the pass, the veteran striker launched himself into the humid Brazilian air. In a moment of pure physics-defying brilliance, the "Flying Dutchman" met the ball with a looping header that sailed over a stunned Iker Casillas. That single, parallel-to-the-pitch header ignited a 5-1 demolition that shattered the Spanish era of dominance. One moment of aerial magic gave an entire nation the satisfying feeling of revenge and placed Van Persie’s effort into World Cup immortality. No. 28 Just Fontaine’s Untouchable Record In the world of international soccer, some records are chased, while others are simply untouchable. In 1958, French striker Just Fontaine didn't just win the Golden Boot; he authored a feat of scoring geometry that defies modern logic. Over just six games in Sweden, Fontaine somehow found the back of the net 13 times—a mark that has stood the test of time. While legends like Ronaldo, Gerd Müller, and Miroslav Klose eventually surpassed his total tally, they required multiple tournaments to do so. Fontaine did it in his one and only trip to the world stage. From a hat-trick opener against Paraguay to a four-goal masterclass against West Germany, his one-touch lethality was unstoppable. To put his dominance in perspective: in the 66 years since, only one Golden Boot winner has even broke double digit goals in the tournament, West Germany's Gerd Müller scored 10 in 1970. Some records may not be meant to be broken. No. 27: Banks Denies Pelé It's often called the best save in soccer history. In England's group stage match against mighty Brazil at the 1970 World Cup, Gordon Banks, the gentlemanly Three Lions keeper, raced across this line and somehow kept out what looked like a certain goal from none other than Pelé himself. Unmarked at the far post, Pelé met Jairzinho's cross from the right side perfectly. "I hit that header exactly as I had hoped. Exactly where I wanted it to go. And I was ready to celebrate," Pelé, who became close friends with Banks over the decades following their shared moment on the biggest stage, said following the Englishman's death in 2019. "He came from nowhere, and he did something I didn't feel was possible," the Brazilian great added. "He pushed my header, somehow, up and over. And I couldn't believe what I saw. "Even now when I watch it, I can't believe how he moved so far, so fast." No. 26: Ronaldo's Redemption Four years after suffering a seizure on the day of the 1998 World Cup final, then sleepwalking through France’s commanding 3-0 win, Brazilian striker Ronaldo had a chance to make things right. It’s not that the first World Cup Ronaldo played in — he was the youngest member of Brazil’s triumphant 1994 squad at 17, though he didn’t appear in a match — was a failure. Despite falling at the final hurdle, Ronaldo won the Golden Ball as the best player at France ‘98. Brazil expects to win every World Cup, of course. And in Japan in 2002, Ronaldo and the Seleção got another chance when they reached the championship game for the third World Cup straight. Ronaldo wasn’t about to let his chance at redemption pass by. He scored both goals in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Germany, and finished as tournament’s leading scorer. No. 25: Morocco's Magical Run Morocco made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation ever to reach the semifinals of the tournament. Led by unforgettable performances, passionate supporters, and stunning upsets over football giants, Morocco’s magical run inspired millions around the world. No. 24: Two Superstars, One Unforgettable Bite One bite changed the entire 2014 World Cup. In a moment that stunned football fans everywhere, Luis Suárez sank his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and turned a tense knockout clash into one of the most infamous moments in World Cup history. The furious defender showed the puncture marks to the referee, while Suárez — perhaps realizing he’d bitten off more that he could chew — began theatrically checking his teeth as if Chiellini had shouldered him in the chops. Inside the stadium, it was hard to know what the fuss was about. Outside of it, the replays beamed across the globe showed millions what had happened. But Brazil 2014 was the last World Cup not to use video assistant referees, and the man in the middle that day missed the chomp. FIFA wasn’t amused, though, banning Suárez — who had been involved in biting incidents twice before — for nine international games. No. 23: Its Milla Time: Cameroon's 1990 Run In 1990, a 38-year-old Roger Milla led an underdog Cameroon straight into the World Cup quarterfinals. Cameroon’s "Indomitable Lions" shocked the globe from the jump, topping a brutal group that featured Romania, the Soviet Union, and the reigning champions, Argentina, led by Diego Maradona. But it was the Round of 16 where Milla truly cemented his legendary status. Coming off the bench against a fierce Colombia squad, the charismatic veteran unleashed a masterclass in extra time as Milla danced past the Colombian defense to fire in the opener. Just minutes later, he boldly pickpocketed Colombia's eccentric goalkeeper, René Higuita, near the halfway line, walking the ball into an empty net. Milla’s four goals in the tournament propelled Cameroon to become the first African nation to ever reach the quarterfinals, shattering the glass ceiling for future generations. His World Cup story didn't end there, either. Four years later in 1994, Milla found the back of the net again, becoming the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup at 42 years old. No. 22: England's Penalty Curse Begins England’s futility in penalty shootouts — the Three Lions lost their first three World Cup tiebreakers and are 1-3 on penalties at the European Championship — is a punchline these days. But back in 1990, England fans had every reason to believe their team would spot-kick its way past old enemy West Germany and into the World Cup final for the first time since winning it all 24 years earlier. Bobby Robson’s team had been the better one for much of the game despite falling behind on the hour mark, so when Gary Lineker equalized in the 80th minute to send the game to extra time, the momentum was on the English side. Then Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle failed to convert from 12 yards, and the Germans went on to win the World Cup for the third time. It was a crushing psychological blow, apparently; the Lions shootout misery repeated itself again and again through the years afterward. England did finally win its first World Cup match on penalties almost three decades later, though, beating Colombia in the quarters in 2018. No. 21: The Men's World Cup's All-Time Leading Scorer Records are made to be broken, and Miroslav Klose made it his mission to break the all-time goalscoring record at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil at the age of 36. Klose made an instant impact in Germany's group stage match against Ghana, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute and scoring two minutes later. The goal put his all-time tally for World Cup goals at 15, which tied Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário's record. Klose sealed the all-time record in Germany's 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the semifinals. He is still the sole record-holder, though Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé could break the record with high-scoring showings at the 2026 World Cup. No. 20: The Win That Changed U.S. Soccer The United States has come a long way as a soccer nation, and it all began in 1994, when the U.S. hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Entering the tournament in 1994, the U.S. had not won a World Cup match since 1950, when it stunned England in Brazil. That all changed with another milestone win against World Cup favorites Colombia in the group stage to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. The U.S. caught a break in the 35th minute with an own goal by Andres Escobar, and it capitalized on that mistake by Colombia with a goal of its own 17 minutes later by Earnie Stewart. The result was the start of a soccer renaissance in the United States. No. 19: Bergkamp Settles It It took Dennis Bergkamp just three touches to score one of the greatest World Cup goals of all time. The score tied at one, the Netherlands’ quarterfinal meeting with Argentina at France ‘98 seemed destined for extra time before the silky-smooth Dutch forward intervened. Netherlands left back Frank de Boer started the play with a long, diagonal crossfield pass to Bergkamp. It arrived high enough that many superb players would have had trouble controlling it. But Bergkamp was known for his immaculate touch, and he killed the ball dead with an outstretched right foot. There was still plenty to do, though, what with Albiceleste defender Roberto Ayala closing in quickly. Bergkamp’s second touch might have been sweeter than his first; he undressed Ayala with a left-footed stab that he knew would set up his shot. He wasn’t about to squander it, beating Carlos Roa with the outside of his right foot to send Argentina home and exact some revenge in the process; it was the first World Cup meeting between the countries since the Albiceleste beat the Oranje in the final 20 years earlier. And it was almost all thanks to Bergkamp. No. 18 Suárez’s Controversial Save This might be the most controversial save in World Cup history. Deep into extra time of the 2010 quarterfinal, Uruguay and Ghana were locked at 1-1. Ghana was on the verge of making history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal—on African soil. With seconds left, the ball was heading straight into an open net. Ghana’s destiny was certain. Until Luis Suárez stood on the goal line and made a split-second calculation. Knowing the consequences, he threw up his hands and batted the ball out of the air. It was an instant red card and a penalty kick for Ghana. It was dark arts of the highest order, but sound, stone-cold logic: sacrifice himself to give his country a lifeline. The gamble paid off. Asamoah Gyan stepped up and smashed the penalty against the crossbar. Reprieved, Uruguay conquered the ensuing shootout to advance to the final four. Suárez went down in infamy as a villain to the world, but a hero to his nation, cementing his blatant handball as the ultimate, rule-bending "save of the tournament." No. 17: The Birth of Total Football One team changed football forever. And they didn’t even need to win. In 1974, following a 36-year World Cup absence, the Netherlands arrived and broke every rule in the book. Orchestrated by manager Rinus Michels and led by the brilliant Johan Cruyff, they unleashed a radical philosophy: Total Football. It was a fluid system where every player could play every position. The whole team defended; the whole team attacked. It was chaos. Perfect chaos. Cruyff, a tactical savant, was given a license to roam, dismantling giants like Argentina and Brazil on their way to the final. Against West Germany, the Dutch struck in under two minutes, leading before the Germans even touched the ball. Total football wasn’t foolproof. Cruyff was relentlessly man-marked out of the game, and clinical striker Gerd Müller had the final say, securing the trophy for Germany. The Netherlands lost the final, but their DNA is everywhere. Fifty years later, every great modern team is still chasing the ghost of Total Football from 1974. No. 16: Landon Donovan’s Last-Gasp Miracle Is this the most iconic goal in American soccer history? Going into their final group-stage match of the 2010 World Cup against Algeria, the equation for the United States was brutally simple: win, or go home. Ninety agonizing minutes had passed, and the scoreboard remained stuck at 0-0. The American dream was down to its final breaths, suffocating under the weight of impending elimination. Then, in the 91st minute, chaos turned into destiny. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard confidently claimed an Algerian cross, spun around, and didn't look back. He unleashed a massive, pinpoint outlet throw to Landon Donovan, igniting a furious, length-of-the-field counterattack. Donovan fed Jozy Altidore, whose cross found Clint Dempsey. Though Dempsey's initial shot was blocked, Donovan never stopped running. He trailed the play perfectly and smashed the rebound into the back of the net. In just a matter of seconds, the United States went from the bottom of the group to the very top, leaping over England to win the group. Donovan’s legendary strike catapulted the U.S. into the Round of 16 and created a definitive "where were you?" moment for American sports, proving you’re never truly out until the final whistle blows. No. 15: The Miracle Of Bern At the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland, West Germany had to face Hungary—a legendary squad dubbed the "Mighty Magyars" that had not lost a single match in four years. Their first meeting in the group stage was an absolute disaster for the Germans, resulting in a brutal 8-3 thrashing. Yet, West Germany held on, fighting their way all the way to the final where the Golden Team awaited them once again. History seemed destined to repeat itself when, within the first eight minutes of the match, Hungary had already scored twice. But the Germans refused to break. In a stunning display of resilience, they responded with two goals of their own in the next ten minutes, leveling the score and turning the final into an absolute war of attrition. The two teams battled through the mud and rain until the 84th minute, when Helmut Rahn picked up a loose ball at the edge of the box and fired home the winning goal. The shocking 3-2 victory etched "The Miracle of Bern" into football history, permanently signaling the rise of a new global powerhouse. No. 14: The Game of Their Lives To say that the United States was a heavy underdog going into its World Cup meeting with England at the 1950 World Cup doesn’t do justice to the mismatch it was. England, competing in the tournament for the first time, was arguably the best team in Brazil and one of the favorites to lift the trophy after trouncing defending champion Italy 4-0 weeks before the competition began. The members of the U.S. squad, on the other hand, weren’t even full-time professionals. The Americans arrived in Brazil having played just seven international games over the previous 16 years (in part because of World War II), getting outscored 45-2. The Yanks were going to lose. The only question was by how much. Except they didn’t. In one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, the U.S. stunned the Three Lions 1-0 in Belo Horizonte on Joe Gaetjens’s first half goal. England was eliminated after also dropping its next match, to Spain. Same for the U.S., who were knocked out following a 5-2 defeat to Chile. The Americans wouldn’t qualify for another World Cup for 40 years. 13. The "Ghost" Goal that Crowned England England likes to claim that it invented the sport as we know it today, and that’s true. What’s also true is despite the head start they enjoyed over every other nation in the world, they haven’t been very successful at it. Soccer (an English word, by the way) has been deeply ingrained in British culture for well over a century. It was and is immensely popular. Yet England’s national team has hoisted the World Cup just once, way back in 1966, in their only appearance in a final on a goal that probably shouldn’t have counted at all. By contrast, later-coming rivals like Brazil, Germany and Italy have 13 World Cup titles between them. England didn’t participate in the first three World Cups because of a dispute with FIFA, and they didn’t go any further than the quarterfinals in the first four tournaments they entered. With the 1966 event staged on home soil, though, the Three Lions were determined not just not to embarrass themselves on the global stage, but to win the trophy for the first time. After reaching the final at Wembley Stadium in London, England was minutes away from beating West Germany when the visitors equalized. Geoff Hurst restored England’s advantage in extra time, putting them up 3-2 — although television replays never showed the ball crossing the line. German players protested to no avail, and Hurst put the game away when he made it 4-2 seconds before the final whistle. Still, the did-it-or-didn't it debates raged on for decades. In 1996, researchers at Oxford University's department of engineering science concluded that it hadn’t —meaning England’s lone World Cup win came on a phantom goal. No. 12: Heartbreak For Italy After Baggio Skies Penalty Losing a World Cup is never easy, let alone on penalties. And even more so when one of the game's greatest players badly missed the ultimate decider. Roberto Baggio remains one of Italy's most iconic players ever, but a costly lapse by "The Divine Ponytail" would see his team lose in a heartbreaking fashion to Brazil in the 1994 final at the Rose Bowl. Baggio had arguably been the tournament’s outstanding player prior to that fateful final, leading his team past talented squads like Nigeria and Spain before securing Italy's place in the final by scoring twice against Bulgaria in the semis. What should have been an entertaining final for the ages between Brazil and Italy was anything but as the star-studded squads went scoreless through 120 minutes. With a possible title of the line, the normally steel-nerved Baggio sent his attempt high into the stands. No. 11: The Semifinal Deemed ‘Game Of The Century’ The "Game of the Century" at the 1970 FIFA World Cup delivered one of football’s greatest matches as Italy and West Germany battled through an unforgettable semifinal filled with drama, extra-time chaos, and legendary goals. From Franz Beckenbauer’s dislocated shoulder to Italy’s historic 4-3 victory, this iconic clash forever changed World Cup history. Tied 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes in their 1970 World Cup semifinal in front of more than 100,000 fans at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, West Germany and Italy exploded for five goals during the half-hour of extra time, with the Azzurri ultimately prevailing on Gianni Rivera’s 111th minute winner. Never before had five World Cup goals been scored during extra time, let alone between two of the sport’s most decorated teams with a spot in the final at stake. The record stands to this day. No. 10: The Most Dazzling Display In A Final At the 1970 FIFA World Cup final, Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 with a dazzling display of teamwork, creativity, and flair. Broadcast in color for the first time, the match showcased one of the greatest teams ever assembled and cemented Brazil’s place in World Cup history. Led by the incomparable Pelé, Brazil’s iconic 1970 squad capped their resounding triumph over Italy in front of more than 100,000 fans in Mexico’s City’s cavernous Estadio Azteca with a masterpiece. Among the legends on the field for Brazil included Rivellino, Carlos Alberto, Brito, Clodoaldo, and Gérson – all names that became synonymous with the "Jogo Bonito" style of play. The image of Pelé playing and winning his last ever major international tournament stands the test of time. It would be 24 long years before Brazil won another World Cup. But this is the team and style that continues to live among the pantheon of greats. No. 9: Spain's Long Awaited Moment Of Glory Spain reached the summit of world football in 2010, defeating the Netherlands to win their first-ever FIFA World Cup title. Andrés Iniesta’s legendary extra-time goal completed one of the most dominant eras ever seen in international football. The 2010 World Cup final was a contest between the best two teams never to have won it all. Spain's golden generation of players had captured the 2008 European Championship, their second continental crown. On the other was the Netherlands, winners of the 1988 Euros and the World Cup runner-up at both the 1974 and 1978 events. The slick-passing Spanish were the favorites and the far better squad. The Dutch knew it. So rather than attempt to stand toe-to-toe with La Roja, the Netherlands decided instead to slow the game to a crawl by setting up in a cynical, defensive posture and fouling at every opportunity. The Oranje strategy nearly backfired in the first half when Nigel de Jong committed a clear red card offense by kicking Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso in the chest. But the referee's view of the infraction was blocked, and with VAR still eight years away, De Jong stayed on the field. The match remained scoreless into the second half of extra time. Thankfully, Iniesta scored the winner for La Roja with just four minutes to spare, avoiding a penalty shootout. Spain would go on to win the 2012 Euros, too. They remain the only national team in history to prevail at three consecutive major tournaments. No. 8: The Hero That France Needed At the 1998 World Cup final, Zinedine Zidane rose to the occasion with two first-half goals to lead France past Brazil and secure the nation’s first World Cup title. On the biggest stage in soccer, Zizou delivered a performance that would define his legendary career. Led by superstar striker Ronaldo, four-time World Cup winner Brazil entered France ‘98 as the favorite and defending champion. The host nation was looking to become just the seventh team to hoist the trophy and the sixth to do it on home soil. Led by their dynamic midfielder in Zidane, Les Bleus made sure the trophy stayed in Paris. The impact of the win by the French team, which was largely made up of players whose parents hailed from the country's former colonies in Northern Africa and the Caribbean — Zidane himself has Algerian roots — went well beyond sport. It was also credited with uniting a changing nation behind one common cause. No. 7: A Celebration Worth a Thousand Words At the 1982 FIFA World Cup final, Marco Tardelli scored a crucial goal for Italy against West Germany before unleashing one of the most iconic celebrations in sports history. His emotional sprint and unforgettable scream captured the joy, pressure, and passion of winning a World Cup. Even for the most focused and disciplined athlete, the emotion just takes over. That’s what happened to Tardelli when the Italian midfielder gave his country a 2-0 lead over West Germany in the final at Spain ’82 in front of a packed Santiago Bernabaeu Stadium in Madrid. As consequential as the tally was, Tardelli’s reaction would become far more memorable than the goal itself. With tears of joy rolling down his cheeks, Tardelli ran across the field shaking his head from side to side in disbelief, repeatedly yelling "goal" as if to convince himself that the feat he had just accomplished actually happened. The raw emotion of the moment was visceral, and it resonated with fans across the globe — which is why it remains the most unforgettable World Cup goal celebration of all time. No. 6: The Original GOAT Announces Himself Pelé announced himself to the world during his FIFA World Cup debut in 1958, beginning one of the greatest careers in football history. At just 17 years old, Pelé’s brilliance helped lead Brazil toward their first-ever World Cup title. Pelé was the youngest player in the history of the World Cup when he made his delayed tournament debut for Brazil at the 1958 event. Soon he’d show exactly why coach Vicente Feola included the injured 17-year-old prodigy on his roster. Slowed by a knee problem upon his arrival in Sweden, Pelé recovered enough to start in his country’s third match, in which he registered an assist in a win over the Soviet Union. After that, he exploded. He scored the only goal in a quarterfinal win over Wales, then recorded a hat trick in a 5-2 semifinal win over France. In the final against the hosts in Stockholm, Pelé scored two more times, including an astonishing solo effort where he coolly lobbed the ball over a helpless Swedish defender’s head before slotting it home. It is still one of the most jaw-dropping goals in World Cup history, one that helped the Seleção secure the first of their record five World Cup crowns. No. 5: The Day Brazil's Dream Came To Halt At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil entered the semifinals hoping to win a title on home soil but instead suffered a historic 7-1 defeat to Germany. In one of the most shocking matches ever played, a nation’s dream turned into an unforgettable World Cup nightmare. Even though heavyweights Germany stood between Brazil and a spot in the final, there was an air of expectation around the country that the outcome was preordained — that the Seleção would reach and then win the World Cup final on home soil, exorcizing the demons of 1950 when Brazil was stunned by Uruguay. It would be an understatement to say things didn't go according to plan. Instead of achieving what many Brazilians felt was their destiny, the home side imploded without injured star Neymar and suspended defensive anchor Thiago Silva. It was 5-0 for the visitors before the match was 30 minutes old. By the time it was over, they'd suffered a 7-1 loss to the eventual tournament champs. The most lopsided semifinal result ever didn't just match the worst loss in Brazil's proud history. It also snapped a 62-game home unbeaten streak dating to 1975.  Given the stakes and the stage, it's the most eye-popping result ever in World Cup play — not to mention a national humiliation on par with that famous 1950 defeat. No. 4 Zinedine Zidane's Headbutt And Ensuing Red Card At the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, France captain Zinedine Zidane was one match away from a storybook ending to a legendary career, only to exit the sport in the most shocking fashion imaginable. In an unforgettable clash with Italy, a maestro's final masterclass transformed into a stunning moment of madness that left the world in disbelief. With the hopes of his nation on the line, Zidane looked poised to repeat his 1998 heroics when he audaciously chipped a 7th-minute penalty past Gianluigi Buffon. Italy's Marco Materazzi soon answered with a powerful equalizer, locking the two heavyweights in a grueling, high-stakes stalemate that pushed into extra time. Both men had scored their team’s lone goals, but their date with destiny was far from over. Deep into extra time, in the 118th minute, the match’s two protagonists crossed paths again. Following a sharp exchange of words, Materazzi’s psychological warfare cracked the Frenchman's icy composure. In a flash, Zidane turned and drove his forehead straight into the Italian defender’s chest. The resulting red card was a devastating eruption, leaving the world to watch in silence as one of the greatest to ever play the game walked past the trophy and off the pitch forever. France would go on to lose the ensuing penalty shootout, cementing the headbutt as Zidane's final, haunting moment in professional football—an image forever suspended in time. No. 3 The Day 173,000 Fans Went Absolutely Silent At the 1950 FIFA World Cup, Brazil entered the final match needing only a draw on home soil to secure their first-ever title, but instead suffered a heartbreak so impactful it permanently altered the nation's footballing identity. In front of an estimated 173,000 fanatical supporters packing Rio de Janeiro's legendary Maracanã stadium, a celebration decades in the making turned into an unforgettable national tragedy. Coming off a 12-year tournament hiatus due to global conflict, there was an absolute air of certainty across the country that the Seleção were destined for glory. When Friaça scored early in the second half to put the hosts up 1-0, the trophy felt entirely secure. But Uruguay refused to follow the script. The underdogs mounted an unthinkable comeback, striking twice to take a shocking 2-1 lead. The result triggered a generational change as Brazil chose to completely abandon their traditional white uniforms, switching to the iconic yellow kits they wear today. Years later, Uruguayan hero Alcides Ghiggia would famously note that only three people had ever managed to silence the Maracanã: the Pope, Frank Sinatra, and him. No. 2: Diego Maradona's ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ At the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Diego Maradona treated the world to the ultimate display of footballing duality during a high-stakes quarterfinal clash against England, decades before the internet would marvel at Lionel Messi's modern imitations. Just minutes after scoring his infamous, rule-bending "Hand of God" goal, the Argentine maestro decided to remove even a shred of doubt about his transcendent greatness. What followed was an individual masterclass that would forever define the beautiful game. Picking up the ball a daunting 60 yards away from the English net, Maradona embarked on a breathtaking, physics-defying journey towards goal. He sliced, glided, and spun past five English defenders who were left grasping at the air. Accelerating toward the penalty box, he got past goalkeeper Peter Shilton, tumbling toward the grass while clipping a precise strike into the back of the net. The magical solo effort proved to be the decisive blow, breaking English hearts and leading Argentina on a march toward the World Cup trophy. Continue to check back every day for more top moments as we count down to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting on June 11.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Ultimate 2026 World Cup Gambling Guide: Picks, Predictions, Odds, Underdogs to Bet On]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/ultimate-2026-world-cup-gambling-guide-odds-predictions-picks-underdogs</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/ultimate-2026-world-cup-gambling-guide-odds-predictions-picks-underdogs</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
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				    <![CDATA[Looking to bet on the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Check out our ultimate gambling guide for the biggest sporting event in the world.]]>
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				<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:24:47 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Welcome to the only World Cup betting guide you'll ever need, whether it's your first bet or your hundredth. Whether you're targeting long-term futures or daily edges in each of the 104 matches (all streaming on FOX One), this guide has everything from suggested wagers for each market along with match-by-match strategy, props, live betting angles and much more throughout the entire tournament. 5 Bets You Should Make | Underdogs | Futures | Daily Betting Strategy | Props &amp; Specials | Live Betting  This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.  Below are some underdog bets from FOX Sports Wager Expert, Chris "The Bear" Fallica:  To Advance From Group All 48 nations playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been divided into 12 groups (labeled A-J) of four teams each. The top two teams from each group advance, along with the eight best third-place teams. The eight third-place teams with the most points will advance to the knockout rounds— with the tiebreakers below being used to determine who gets in if teams have the same number of points: To Win Group Only one team finishes on top of each group, and unlike the "to advance" market, there is no safety net. A single draw or upset can completely shift the standings, making this one of the more volatile markets on the board. This is the market where bettors should look for value. Instead of laying heavy juice on favorites, target strong second tier teams that can capitalize on one key result. A single head-to-head win is often enough to flip a group. Stage of Elimination This market is one of the unique ways to bet on the World Cup, as you are predicting exactly when a nation will be eliminated from the tournament. A sportsbook will list every team in the tournament and offer odds on when they will be eliminated. The options will consist of group stage, last 32, last 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, runner-up and outright winner. To Reach Final In this betting market, you are simply betting on a team to make it to the final, not win it, which removes some of the volatility that comes with a single match deciding everything. To Lift Trophy This is the headline market of the entire tournament and the one that defines everything else. Betting on a team to lift the trophy means you are backing them to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Golden Boot The Golden Boot is awarded to the top goalscorer of the tournament and is one of the most popular individual betting markets. It also gives fans a chance to root for a single player throughout the tournament. Players on teams that make deep runs will have more matches and more chances to score, which is why winners almost always come from teams that reach at least the semifinals. Golden Ball The Golden Ball is awarded to the best player in the tournament based on expert opinion and media voting. Golden Glove The Golden Glove is the award given to the best goalkeeper of the World Cup. It is awarded to the keeper who had the greatest impact on their team’s success throughout the tournament.  Now, let's turn our focus from futures to individual matches. The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with multiple matches to bet on each day. While futures can offer value, they require a series of outcomes to hit and often take the entire tournament to cash. Betting on individual matches allows you to build momentum and stack wins throughout each of the 104 World Cup matches. Moneyline The moneyline betting market is different in soccer than in most other sports. Instead of two options, there are three: each team to win and the match to end in a draw. The bet is finalized at the end of regulation time. If the game goes to extra time or a penalty shootout, a "Draw" bet cashes. Because of this, the odds will have more value, but there are now three possible outcomes instead of two. Here's an example below: In the 2022 World Cup, 31% of knockout matches required extra time or penalties to determine a winner, while only 20.8% of group stage matches ended in a draw. Spread The spread betting market in soccer is based on goal margin, with one team favored by a certain number of goals. In closer matchups, the favorite is often listed at -0.5, while larger favorites can be -1.5, -2.5 or even -3.5. One key difference in World Cup betting is that spreads are not always priced evenly at -110 on both sides. The odds will vary based on how strong the favorite is, so it is important to pay attention to the price, not just the number. On several sportsbooks, you can also find alternate spreads at different odds, allowing bettors to adjust their risk and potential payout. Additionally, goal differential has now become critical in the group stage, especially under the new format with third-place teams advancing. Teams are more likely to push for multi-goal wins rather than settle for narrow victories. O/U (Total Goals) The over/under provides another exciting way to bet on an individual match. You are simply betting on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a set number (usually 2.5 goals). Time Limit: Important! These bets almost always apply to 90 minutes plus stoppage time only. In knockout rounds, goals scored in extra time or penalty shootouts do not count toward your O/U bet. In the 2022 World Cup, there was an average of 2.69 goals per game, which was the highest in the 32-team era. One key tip for the 2026 World Cup: with the new 48-team format, eight of the 12 third-place teams advance, and they are ranked across all groups by goal difference and goals scored. Draw No Bet The Draw No Bet (DNB) market is a safer way to play the moneyline. It’s useful in matches where you like a team to win but could also see it ending in a draw. If your team wins, you win. If it's a draw, you get your money back. In this market, you pay for that safety net with your potential payout. Since the sportsbooks are taking on more risk by giving you your money back on a draw, they slash the odds. Here's an example: If you bet $100 on the USA 3-way moneyline, you’d profit $95. If you take the Americans on the DNB line, you only profit about $43. You sacrifice some of your profit to get your money back if it finishes as a draw. To Advance This market only applies to knockout rounds— you are simply picking which team makes it to the next round. Unlike standard moneyline bets that are settled after 90 minutes, this wager is decided by the final outcome of the match. Whether your team scores the winning goal in the 20th minute, the 119th minute, or advances via a penalty shootout, your ticket cashes. Example: Argentina vs France (2022 WC Final)  This is where things really get fun. If you’re just looking to enjoy an exciting match without picking a side, player prop markets offer a great way to get involved. First Goalscorer Anytime Goalscorer Player Goals O/U Player Assists O/U Player to Score 2+ or 3+ Goals  Live betting offers a completely different way to approach the tournament and can create real advantages while the action unfolds. Live betting creates real opportunities to jump in at the right moment. Here are some windows to take advantage of live betting: The "Quarters" Strategy: Hydration Breaks Taking Advantage of Red Cards The "Second Yellow" VAR Pivot Potential injuries]]>
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					<![CDATA[Crowds, History, And Welcome Speeches: USA's Practice Focused On 'Good Memories']]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usmnt-world-cup-irvine-opening-day</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usmnt-world-cup-irvine-opening-day</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The first practice of the week ahead of the USA's World Cup opener had a festive feel aimed at creating positive buzz.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:27:58 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[IRVINE, Calif. — Great Park, where the U.S. men’s national team has established its World Cup base camp, is the former site of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, which was a military training hub for pilots, aircrews and ground personnel during World War II. Since then, the more than 1,300-acre property has been transformed into a sprawling public sports and recreation complex. In 2017, the city opened Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium, where the Americans will be training every day for the next several weeks. Monday, the team was welcomed by 5,500 devoted fans who flocked to the stadium for practice. All World Cup teams are required to conduct one public event, and U.S. Soccer said it received 32,000 registration applicants but had to cap the attendance. It was a festive start to the week ahead of the Americans’ World Cup opener vs. Paraguay on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium,located a bit more than 40 miles from this temporary home (kickoff at 9 p.m. ET on FOX/FOX One and streaming for free on Tubi). "Once a place where Americans trained to defend our nation, this is now a place where Americans train to represent the United States of America," Larry Agran, the mayor of Irvine, told the buzzing crowd anxious to see their favorite players. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino also addressed supporters and gave somewhat of a motivational pregame speech. "The most important thing is you feel proud about your team," Pochettino said while holding a microphone and pacing the field. "One thing is for sure: we are going to give everything to create good memories with you, for you to feel proud of your team." The moment this country has been waiting for is finally here as the largest World Cup in history – a 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico – begins later this week. Half of the USA's squad played in the World Cup four years ago in Qatar, so they are familiar with soccer’s grandest stage. But as captain Tim Ream told a room full of reporters before Monday’s training, this is new territory for everybody. "It’s not our first rodeo, but it’s the first one on home soil, so it kind of is our first rodeo in a way," Ream explained. "It’s exciting. I’m old enough to remember bits and pieces from 1994 [World Cup]. I’ve tried to tell guys and convey the message in the media that it’s a once-in-a-career opportunity. With that comes more expectation and more pressure, but at the same time, you have to enjoy it. "And for me, it’s about opening your eyes and taking everything in because this is completely different from anything that any of us players have experienced. So take it in, enjoy it, embrace everything that it is, because it is so unique, so special, and it's not something that we’ll ever get to do again." Last week, while the team was at U.S. Soccer’s new National Training Center outside of Atlanta, several veterans spoke about the responsibility they feel to help first-timers savor every minute of the tournament. Star forward Christian Pulisic has said he was extremely focused during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and admits he wasn’t always the easiest person to be around during the tournament. Goalkeeper Matt Turner said he didn’t do a good job of "soaking it all in." "Like taking a video of something that was going on [and instead] just thinking, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’ and letting the moment pass by," said Turner, who started every match four years ago. "I wish I documented more things from Qatar." From the outset, the team appears to be striking a balance between joy and intensity. When players arrived at their hotel in Atlanta for the pre-tournament camp — and again upon reaching their hotel in Southern California — fans were there to cheer them on. Turner made sure to have his phone out and take in the moment as it unfolded. Defender Mark McKenzie, who’s playing in his first World Cup, has been walking around with a video camera to capture the experience. It’s not the film camera he wanted to bring – he forgot it back in France, where he plays for Ligue 1 club Toulouse – but has been using another one to take a bunch of photos and videos every day. "I think all those are important moments that you’ll look back on in 10, 15, 20 years and being able to share those moments with my son," said McKenzie, who plans to make some kind of collage after the summer is over. "I wanted to make sure that I didn’t just document it for myself, but for everybody. I wanted something memorable, something special. "Obviously, the job is to handle the work on the pitch, but outside the lines, enjoying it as well and making sure we’re capturing it."]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 World Cup Odds: Which Player Will Lead the Tournament in Assists?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-who-will-have-most-assists</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-who-will-have-most-assists</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The world's biggest playmakers are set to shine at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Check out who is favored to notch the most assists.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:00:06 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Passing the ball is just as important as scoring it. In the 2022 World Cup, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ivan Perišić were all tied for the tournament lead in assists. In the 2024 European Championship, 18-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal led the tournament with four assists. At the time, he was only 16. Christian Pulisic enters the tournament with 19 career assists for the U.S. men's national team and is coming off a 2025-26 Serie A campaign in which he was one of just two players to post at least 10 goals and nine assists. So who will emerge as the tournament's top playmaker this summer? Let's take a look at the latest odds for the 2026 World Cup "Player to Assist Most Goals" market as of June 2. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Player to Assist Most Goals Bruno Fernandes: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)Michael Olise: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)Lionel Messi: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)Lamine Yamal: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)Viní Jr.: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)Kylian Mbappé: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Kevin De Bruyne: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Jeremy Doku: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Florian Wirtz: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Raphinha: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Ousmane Dembélé: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Nico Williams: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total) Here's what to know about this oddsboard: Talk About Bruno: Not only did Fernandes have the most assists in just four matches in 2022, he also just won Premier League Player of the Season with a record 21 assists for Manchester United. With Portugal expected to make a deep run, Fernandes is now the favorite at +900 to record the most assists this summer. The Contenders: Second on the oddsboard is Michael Olise, who is making his first career World Cup appearance. Olise recorded a staggering 29 assists in all competitions for Bayern Munich during the 2025-26 season and has 51 assists in 63 total matches with the club. Global superstars Messi and Yamal round out the top four on the assists oddsboard as both currently sit at +1200. Messi has eight career assists in the FIFA World Cup, which is tied for the most in tournament history. Yamal will look to replicate his Euros' success in his World Cup debut.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 World Cup Round of 16 Odds: Which Teams Will Make It?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-round-of-16-odds-who-will-make-round-16</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-round-of-16-odds-who-will-make-round-16</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Which squads are favored to make it to the Round of 16 in the expanded field? See the latest odds.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:56:21 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[After the World Cup group stage, things go from intense to do-or-die. In previous years, the Round of 16 was the first knockout stage match, but with an expanded field of 48 teams— it is now the second. Let's check out the odds for which countries are favored to win at least one knockout stage game and make it to the Round of 16, at FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 1. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. To Reach Round of 16 France: -450 (bet $10 to win $12.22 total)Spain: -390 (bet $10 to win $12.56 total)England: -360 (bet $10 to win $12.78 total)Germany: -280 (bet $10 to win $13.57 total)Brazil: -270 (bet $10 to win $13.70 total)Portugal: -270 (bet $10 to win $13.70 total)Belgium: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)Argentina: -200 (bet $10 to win $15 total)Switzerland: -165 (bet $10 to win $16.06 total)Mexico: -155 (bet $10 to win $16.45 total)Netherlands: -145 ((bet $10 to win $16.90 total) USA: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total) Norway: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total)Colombia: -120 (bet $10 to win $18.33 total)Canada: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total)Türkiye: +110 (bet $10 to win $21 total)Ecuador: +115 (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)Morocco: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)Croatia: +130 (bet $10 to win $23 total)Uruguay: +130 (bet $10 to win $23 total)Ivory Coast: +155 (bet $10 to win $25.50 total)Egypt: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)Japan: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)Austria: +190 (bet $10 to win $29 total)South Korea: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)Czechia: +210 (bet $10 to win $31 total)Senegal: +210 (bet $10 to win $31 total) Here's what to know about this oddsboard. The Favorites: France and Spain are favored to win the tournament, making them heavy favorites to at least reach the second round of the knockout stage. In 2014, France made it to the quarterfinals, followed by a championship in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2022. The last time it failed to make it out of the group stage was back in 2010. For Spain, it lost in the Round of 16 in both 2022 and 2018, and failed to make it out of the group stage in 2014, after winning the World Cup in 2010. The Host Nations: Each of the three host nations — Mexico (10th on the oddsboard), USA (12th) and Canada (15th) — are expected to make it out of the group and win their Round of 32 matchup. Mexico has a familiar relationship with the round of 16, having lost in that round every tournament from 1994 to 2018 — seven straight tournaments. In 2022, Mexico didn't make it out of group play. As for the USA, it made the Round of 16 in 2022, did not qualify for the tournament in 2018, and made the Round of 16 in 2014 and 2010. Lastly, Canada has never won or drawn a match at the World Cup, let alone make it out of the group stage.]]>
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					<![CDATA[How The Smallest World Cup Nation Recruited Its Team]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/curacao-world-cup-2026</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/curacao-world-cup-2026</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[How did the tiny Caribbean island of Curaçao qualify for the World Cup? The story behind its recruiting efforts.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:47:34 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Growing up in the Netherlands, Jurgen Locadia envisioned himself wearing those iconically vibrant orange jerseys at a World Cup. He played for the country's youth national squads, was selected for the senior team a few times and started his professional career with Dutch clubs. So when peers tried to enlist him to play for Curaçao, a tiny island nation off the coast of Venezuela, he initially brushed them off. "I always had the hope to play for the Dutch squad," Locadia, a forward for USL Championship side Miami FC, told me recently. But his friend and current Miami FC teammate, Eloy Room — who was also from the Netherlands and had already joined the Curaçao national team — was persistent. He was trying to help build something in Curaçao. Locadia remembers having conversations with Room four years ago while he was still attached to the Oranje. Room was trying to sell Locadia on the idea of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. "I was like, ‘C'mon man, it’s not realistic,’" Locadia said he told Room. "But he was convinced. And that energy rubs off when you believe in something. And he believed in it. I was skeptical, but looking back, it’s ironic how life works out." Call it the college transfer portal meets the World Cup. Countries use recruiting-style pitches on dual-national players to bolster their chances of qualifying for the world's biggest tournament. The strategy worked for Curaçao, which will make its World Cup debut this summer as the smallest nation ever to qualify. The approach has also helped propel more established countries, such as Morocco, which reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and became the first African nation to do so. Other countries, including Senegal, Ivory Coast and Egypt, have followed similar paths by recruiting players who previously represented other nations at youth levels. Cape Verde, also making its inaugural World Cup appearance this summer, initially wooed Irish-born defender Roberto "Pico" Lopes via a LinkedIn message. But Curaçao’s interpersonal approach towards its program-building has also now paid dividends. "I don’t think we realize the impact right now," said Locadia, who ultimately committed to the Blue Wave in 2023. "Personally, I still can’t comprehend that we qualified. I think once we’re all together at our [base camp in Boca Raton, Florida], then the World Cup really starts, but for now, it’s still hard to understand that we accomplished such a big thing." ‘More Players Kept Coming’ The Caribbean island of Curaçao was formerly a regional hub of the Dutch Atlantic slave trade, and many Curaçaoans grew up in or at some point moved to the Netherlands due to colonial and political ties. In 2010, Curaçao became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. The population of Curaçao is around 158,000 and has a total land mass of 171 square miles — that’s seven times smaller than Rhode Island. Soccer and baseball are among the nation’s most popular sports, though locals have cheered for Brazil or Argentina during past World Cups since their country had never qualified. That was, however, until last November when Curaçao shocked the world, securing a berth to the 2026 tournament after a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston. The previous record for the smallest World Cup country was Iceland, which had a population of 350,000 when it reached the 2018 tournament in Russia. So, how did this unlikely contender reach soccer's biggest stage? "It was my project," former Curaçao national team manager Remko Bicentini told me. Bicentini coached the Netherlands Antilles from 2009-10 after serving as an assistant in 2008, then worked as Curaçao’s assistant from 2011-16 before being named head coach from 2016-20 and again from 2022-23. He was one of the early architects who developed a plan to attract professional players with Curaçaoan roots to represent their homeland. He gave most of the players on Curaçao’s 2026 World Cup roster their first international appearance. Bicentini — whose father, Moises, was among the earliest Curaçaoans to play professional soccer in the Netherlands in the late 1950s — used several methods to identify players for the national team. He said he communicated with coaches around the world from 2015-23 and contacted various consulates, which helped him locate players with Curaçaoan heritage. "I looked all over the world for players who can play for Curaçao, if they have a parent or grandparent who was born in Curaçao," Bicentini told me. "I looked for many, many, many years, and I found a lot of players." The first major commitment was Room, who was playing for Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem in 2015 before later joining PSV Eindhoven. Born to a Curaçaoan father and Dutch mother, Room was part of the Netherlands U-20 squad but wasn’t earning regular first team call-ups. Patrick Kluivert, the legendary Ajax and Dutch national team striker, was the head coach of Curaçao at that time and called Room personally to invite him to join the program. Like Locadia, Room always wanted to play for the Netherlands, but knew he could also play for Curaçao. In those days, however, Curaçao wasn’t competing at a high level, and there wasn’t much of a foundation or structure in place. Switching national teams wasn’t in his plans. "Kluivert called and said, ‘Listen, I want you as my goalkeeper. You’re my No. 1,’" Room recalls. "He also told me we have potential to go to the World Cup in the future if you help recruit players and players like me choose to play for Curaçao." Room needed time to think. Maybe, he told himself, there was another way to get to the World Cup, and he could help pave the way for posterity. Plus, he said it was "pretty cool" to hear from a legend like Kluivert. Room ultimately took the leap, and the 37-year-old has been Curaçao’s starting goalkeeper ever since. He’s made 72 appearances, recently breaking a tie with midfielder Leandro Bacuna for most caps in national team history. But it took a real grassroots effort to scout other players. Room reached out to guys he knew growing up in the Netherlands, and some called him asking what it was like to play for Curaçao. Room told them about his experience and every camp, new players arrived on the island. Within a few years, the Blue Wave had a full squad made of professional players. "I was basically the first player who switched nationalities back then," Room said. "And after that, more players kept coming." Results followed. In 2017, Curaçao won its first-ever Caribbean Cup, defeating Jamaica 2-1 in the final. The victory secured a place in the following month’s Concacaf Gold Cup, though Curaçao did not advance out of the group stage. The team later qualified for the 2019 Gold Cup and reached the quarterfinals, where it lost, 1-0, to the United States. "It was important for players to see that success," Bicentini said. "It helped recruit new players." A ‘Nostalgic’ Feeling Tahith Chong's first World Cup memory was watching the 2006 final between France and Italy at his parents’ home in Willemstad. He remembers Zidane’s headbutt, cheering for France and crying when Les Bleus lost. He started playing soccer after that. Now a midfielder at English club Sheffield United, Chong’s family moved to the Netherlands when he was eight years old. He came through the Manchester United academy team while playing for Dutch youth squads and kept a watchful eye on what was going on back home in Curaçao. He felt in the early days that the program was too disorganized and unstable. He saw managers and federation presidents come and go, and travel from Europe at the time wasn’t easy for him. "But once they got it sorted, I was on board because I’m from there, I was born there, my family is there. That’s where I call home," said Chong, who is the only player on the 26-man squad born on the island. Over time, players, staff and fans alike started to believe. Bicentini created a "family atmosphere" by inviting many of the players back to each camp so they could develop camaraderie and chemistry. He stuck with consistent tactics and defined a system, so everyone was aligned. He called in so many guys who grew up playing together in the Netherlands, providing an added sense of familiarity. Together the group set goals, like going to the Gold Cup, and initially didn’t even talk about the World Cup. "Absolutely not," Bicentini said. "But I believed that we could do that with each other. In 2016, the goal was to go to the [2017] Gold Cup, and that’s what I talked to the players about and we qualified. Then after the first Gold Cup, my goal was the 2019 Gold Cup, and we did that." Only after that did they start envisioning something more ambitious: qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. With fellow Concacaf members the United States, Canada and Mexico already assured spots as co-hosts and the tournament expanding to 48 teams, the opportunity felt more attainable. Under the guidance of veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat — who has coached numerous teams in the Netherlands and abroad — Curaçao went unbeaten in its 10-match World Cup qualifying campaign. It culminated in a draw against Jamaica on Nov. 18. 2025. "It means everything," Room said of clinching a spot in the World Cup. "This was the main reason I started to play for Curaçao because we had that dream. Back then, we were told, ‘It’s going to be a long road. It’s going to be a bumpy road.’ But I really believed we could reach the World Cup. I don’t know what it was, but I had this feeling inside of me that we can make it with Curaçao. "It’s an unbelievable feeling that you started something 10 years ago, and at the end you make it, you know? A lot of people said, ‘Nah, you’re never going to make it. It’s too difficult.’ We proved we can, so that makes it extra special." The vibes on the team that night in Jamaica started as a party in the locker room with guys dancing, screaming and playing music. Then, when they got back to the hotel, it was more relaxed and chill. "We were soaking it all in," Locadia said. "We accomplished something amazing." For Chong, qualification was emotional. His grandmother, who lived her whole life on the island, had watched him play live for the first time last September. When the team drew Jamaica to punch its World Cup ticket, it was on her 97th birthday. He also thought of his father, who had played amateur soccer in Curaçao and never believed he would witness his country qualify for the world’s biggest tournament. "For me, it’s nostalgic," said Chong. "It’s been a long process for everyone. It’s not like we showed up to the qualifiers and got lucky. It’s been a progression over the years. Progressing slowly but surely." ‘We’re Part Of History’ There’s a lot of excitement on the island, and players can feel it whenever they return for training. The moment the team qualified, fans started looking at flights and tickets. Room said he heard people were selling their stuff to afford the trip. The Blue Wave opens Group E competition against Germany in Houston on June 14 before playing Ecuador in Kansas City on June 20 and the Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on June 25. The team is especially amped for that first game against the Germans, given the players were all raised as neighbors and rivals in the Netherlands. "Growing up in Holland, you want to win against Germany," Room said, smiling. "So maybe that gives us an extra spark." Beating four-time World Cup winner Germany would be the upset of the tournament, no doubt. Regardless of the result of that match or any other, arriving on the World Cup stage is a huge triumph. And, as Locadia explained, "This is a stepping stone." In February, Curaçao expanded its scope when it welcomed a Dutch Football Federation delegation to the island. During the trip, the two federations signed an agreement aimed at strengthening football development within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The partnership will formally provide resources for Curaçao to continue growing the game by collaborating with the Netherlands in areas like training referees and coaches, football infrastructure, operating and developing youth and women's teams and more. "We just feel like we’re part of history right now," Chong said. "We have an obligation to represent Curaçao in a way that inspires the next generation that maybe in 15 or 20 years when Curaçao qualifies for another World Cup, kids come in and say, ‘I started playing because of the 2026 World Cup. The team that went to that World Cup inspired me to play.’ "We’re hoping this isn’t the only time we qualify. We want to do it again in four years, eight years, 12 years. You want to continue the progress."]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 World Cup Futures Report: Patriotic Play Taking Place at Books]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-futures-report-patriotic-play-taking-place-books</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-futures-report-patriotic-play-taking-place-books</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Would you believe that the USA has become a huge liability at sportsbooks ahead of the 2026 World Cup? Patrick Everson has the scoop.]]>
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				<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:48:32 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Team USA is well behind the favorites on the World Cup futures oddsboard and trails a dozen teams in all. But with the U.S. competing on home soil, there’s some patriotic play coming from the public betting masses. "In terms of the response that we’ve seen so far, the USA is our biggest liability," Caesars Sports head of soccer trading Mark Bickerdike. That liability will likely grow heading into the tournament, which opens Thursday, June 11. Bickerdike helps break down 2026 World Cup championship odds, with the English bookmaker adding plenty of informed opinions, as well. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Big Price, Big Liability The U.S. men’s national team is getting decent action in World Cup futures, though not boatloads of tickets or money. Several teams are ahead of the U.S. in both categories. But with odds of +5000 — meaning a $100 wager would profit $5,000 — it doesn’t take nearly as many bets and dollars for liability to start stacking up. "The U.S. isn’t our most-wagered selection. That would be France and Spain," Bickerdike said, alluding to the two favorites in World Cup odds, at +450. "But with the USA being a sizable price, that’s why they’re our biggest liability." That said, Caesars and other U.S. sportsbooks in the same boat aren’t particularly concerned. There’s a reason that Team USA is 50/1: It is not expected to win nor even come close to doing so. However, a decent run in the knockout round is certainly within reach. "I’m optimistic that the USA has an excellent chance of getting to the Round of 16," Bickerdike said. That would mean advancing from Group D — the Americans are +140 favorites to win the group — and winning a Round of 32 knockout match. "The U.S. has a really good manager in Mauricio Pochettino. Christian Pulisic is the main man and a high-quality player," Bickerdike said. "I think 16 is a sizable possibility." Take Us To Your Leaders As noted above, France and Spain are the +450 co-favorites in Caesars’ World Cup futures odds. That’s no surprise to knowledgeable bettors and fans, and, of course, oddsmakers. "France and Spain are our most-wagered-on teams, and understandably so," Bickerdike said. "Spain won the Euro 2024 and is finding its form coming into the tournament. They’re a really sound squad. "And it’s similar with France. They made the last two World Cup finals, winning in 2018. France has great depth and has Kylian Mbappé." In the 2022 World Cup final, France overcame a 2-0 deficit thanks to Mbappé, who scored two goals in speedy succession, in the 80th and 81st minutes. The match went to extra time tied at two, and both teams scored in those 30 minutes — with Mbappé completing a hat trick — but Argentina won the penalty-kick shootout 4-2. This year, Mbappé is the +600 favorite in odds to win the Golden Boot, given to the tournament’s top goalscorer. "The only downside for France is that they’ve drawn Norway," Bickerdike said, alluding to a potential challenger in Group I, which also includes Senegal and Iraq. "But given that two teams make it through from each group, France is still primed to advance." Bickerdike said the championship odds tell the story for France and Spain. "I struggle to split them — lots of good players and lots of depth," he said. "Depth is really key in the World Cup, especially in the heat." England Angle England hasn’t won the World Cup since 1966, when it hosted the tournament. The Three Lions bowed out in the semifinals in 1990 and 2018. In 2022, England lost to France 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Despite the title drought, the English side is always popular in World Cup futures, and this year is no exception. Caesars has England as the +725 third choice. "England is our fourth-most-wagered team in terms of tickets and is sixth in money. But it would be a good result for us," Bickerdike said. "Money on England is significantly less than France and Spain." Can Harry Kane &amp; Co. finally get that elusive title, 60 years after last winning it? "It’s mixed chances. Too hard to tell at the moment. Manager Thomas Tuchel needs to do something a little different in order to beat France and Spain," Bickerdike said, noting England’s roster composition might help – or not. "England could bomb out very early in the knockout stages or have a really good run." Messi and Ronaldo Defending champion Argentina is the +900 co-fourth choice to lift the trophy, joined by Portugal. Which is interesting, since it ties at the hip two generational talents in Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. It could be the last World Cup for both players, and bettors are intrigued by both squads. "There’s a lot of money on Argentina and Portugal, just because of the Messi and Ronaldo aspect," Bickerdike said. "Personally, I like Argentina. Their balance is good, with a really nice mix of youth and experience, and that squad is really talented. "Argentina would be my pick for the tournament, at the current prices." Dark Horses Bickerdike pointed to a trio of teams that he likes to potentially win their respective groups: Mexico in Group A, and Egypt and Iran, both in Group G. Mexico plays in the first match of the World Cup, hosting South Africa at 3 p.m. ET Thursday in Mexico City. Mexico is -110 to win the group, followed by Czech Republic at +300, South Korea at +325 and South Africa at +800. "In terms of other teams to have decent runs, I quite like Mexico, particularly to win that group," Bickerdike said. "Playing in Mexico City at altitude is a benefit. And in seven of the last eight World Cups, Mexico has made it to the Round of 16." In Group G, Belgium is the -250 favorite to win. But Bickerdike senses the possibility of an upset. "I think Belgium can be opposed in this market. It is an aging team. I think Egypt or Iran could win that group," Bickerdike said. "Egypt, with Mo Salah, can cause an upset here and get a favorable draw in the knockout stages." Then there’s one real outlier curiously drawing action to lift the trophy: Haiti, which, along with Curacao, is the longest shot in the 48-team field, at a huge +250000 (2500/1). "One of our biggest liabilities of the tournament is Haiti. They’re bizarrely popular with some of our customers," Bickerdike said.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Who Is ... U.S. Men's National Team Goalkeeper Matt Freese?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usmnt-goalkeeper-matt-freese-world-cup</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/usmnt-goalkeeper-matt-freese-world-cup</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Last June, Matt Freese had never played for the U.S. men's soccer team. Now, he's playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:05:40 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[A year before making coach Mauricio Pochettino's USA roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Matt Freese had never even played an international game. Now, he heads into the Greatest Show in Sports as the Stars and Stripes' projected No. 1 goalkeeper. Freese has taken an unusual path to get to this point. The son of a renowned neurosurgeon and a health care executive who prioritized books over sports, the now-27-year-old turned down Manchester United as a teenager to attend Harvard, from which he earned an economics degree in 2022. That alone makes Philadelphia native Freese perhaps the most interesting man on Pochettino's 26-player World Cup roster. I sat down with the New York City FC backstop to dive deeper into who he is. Your family was into academics, your late father, Dr. Andrew Freese, especially. Why were you so into sports when that's not what you got at home? It's pretty random, isn't it? I think because it provides an avenue to compete very tangibly. Usually it's binary: There's one winner and one loser. I love winning, and I really hate losing. So I think the competition aspect of it really is what drove me to love athletics. You played lots of different sports as a kid. Were you good at any others? My best sport was probably lacrosse, but I just didn't love it the way I love soccer. I read that you always wanted to be a keeper. When I lived in South Carolina, my neighbor was the goalkeeper for our area's high school team who won the state championship for them in penalty kicks. I idolized him as an 8-year-old kid. That kind of sparked my interest. But it wasn't until I was probably 11 that I got to play goalkeeper in a real game. You’d taken shots from your older brother before that, though, right? We'd been playing in the backyard all along. I had this one ridiculous save my first time playing goalkeeper, so from there the coach let me play occasionally. It wasn't until probably 16, 17 when I became a goalkeeper exclusively. That’s pretty late for a future World Cup keeper. What’s funny is, I never had any burnout because I had a consistent yearning for more soccer. My interest and love for the game didn't even fully peak until I was like, 19 or 20. Keepers are crazy, right? You seem like a pretty normal guy. [Laughs.] It’s just because you don't know me that well. I’m not normal at all. There’s a long history of American keepers playing other sports. Tony Meola was drafted by the Yankees. Brad Friedel played football. Tim Howard played basketball. Did it help you? So much. It enabled me to learn a pretty broad variety of skill sets. Goalkeeper is such an athletically multifaceted position. You need hand-eye coordination, speed, strength, decision-making, to be able to jump. You need everything. You moved around a lot as a kid. Was it hard to become a fan of particular teams? I was 10 when we settled in Philly. I moved like seven times before then, but we stayed in Philly after that, so I fell in love with all those teams: Eagles, Sixers, Flyers. That was the same time that the Philadelphia Union started. My mom was able to get tickets for us to go to the first game. That was probably part of the reason that I fell in love with that team. And then you got cut from their academy. What was that like? This was before the academy actually, when I was 11 or 12. They had this thing called the Union Juniors program. I got cut from that when I was probably 12 or 13.  I was still playing four other sports. I was pudgy back then too, which probably didn't help. But I worked my ass off and got invited back and made the academy when it launched full-time. You also went over to England and trained with Liverpool and Manchester United. Tell me about that experience. I came from such a non-soccer background that I don't think I knew how big of a deal that was in the moment. Maybe that was good, because I played very freely when I was over there. Honestly, I balled out. Manchester United wanted to sign you, but you turned it down. Why? I was an 18-year-old kid. You follow what your parents want for you, at least in that moment. A year and a half later, I became a man, and I said that now soccer comes first. You went to Harvard instead. Pretty good second option. It was a lifelong dream of my parents for me to go to college. I promised them I would do my first year and see what happens. After that first year, I said I'm not putting this on hold anymore and went pro. The goal was to make the 2020 Olympic team, right? My dream was always to represent my country, whether it's the Olympics or now, at the World Cup. At that moment, I had my eyes set on the 2020 Olympics and for me to be considered, I had to leave college. Playing for the 2-13 team that we were at Harvard wasn’t going to cut it. So I really just had to make that leap. You did graduate from Harvard, though. How did you do it? I wanted to graduate, and I had that opportunity. The only reason I wouldn't have done it is if it was going to detract from soccer, but it definitely didn’t. It was the opposite. It helped me so much on the field. My rookie year in MLS was a total mess. I was injured like four or five times. My body, my mind, my emotions were not ready for the pressure that an 11-month season puts on you. I wasn't taking classes then. But my second year I started again, and it allowed me to have an outlet to release some of the pressure. Still, juggling school and a pro soccer career must’ve been difficult. When you're 20 years old, you need something to keep you focused when you're off the field. It created a regimen, a routine, a reason for me on a Thursday night to be at home, sitting at a desk at 9 p.m. doing homework, yeah, and then going to sleep early. So it was, it was a massive part of my development. That’s fascinating. There's a ton of research that suggests that intellectual and academic brain stimulation also translates into adaptability and quick, quick cognitive processes on the field. That’s one of my biggest strengths, my adaptability to new systems and the speed at which I learn things on the field. While we're on the topic of school, you did your thesis on penalty kicks? It wasn’t a thesis, there was a project about it. I’m not answering anything about that. That story has been told, we can move on. I’ve got too many shootouts left! Your paternal grandparents were from Germany, a soccer power. But your dad wasn’t into soccer at all? Not at all. I actually never met them. They passed away when he was young. How did you become introduced to the sport? My brother loved soccer, and we watched it all the time together. Now, I realize he was my first goalkeeper trainer. I owe so much of this to him. But it was just a random love for the game that I found. It was a challenging time in my young life, moving around a lot. My parents were getting divorced. Soccer was something that just allowed me to feel at home. With NYCFC, you wear number 49 for your maternal grandfather, Jack, who was an Air Force pilot and AFL quarterback. My mom says I remind her of him: Big, broad shoulders, 6-foot-5. He was number 49 during his football career, and so that's why I love 49. I’d wear it at the World Cup, but the highest number allowed is 26. Where did your nickname, "Matty Ice," originate? I'm from the same area as Matt Ryan. One of my gym teachers knew him in high school or something and started calling me Matty Ice. It didn't fully stick then. The one that stuck was Booger, the nickname my brother gave me when I was 6 years old, and that one really stuck. NYCFC’s nickname is the Pigeons. Do you like that one? I think pigeons are cool. It's crazy to think you had never played for the national team until June 2025. How do you process that? My favorite quote is from Daryl Morey, the former 76ers president: "Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor." People see a meteoric rise during the past 12 months. I see 15 years of hard work before that, so that I can capitalize when that moment comes. What would it mean to you to be standing there on the field on June 12 for the USA’s first World Cup game? It would be such an honor, part of a dream come true. I dreamt specifically of winning World Cup games representing my country. I’m super competitive. I want to win eight games this summer. There's a lot of work left for that full dream to come true. You’ve said you love pressure. There's no more pressure than the World Cup and being a host nation, right? I was born with this desire to be in the most pressure games, the most pressure moments, the highest-stakes games, to be a difference maker. That's just been part of who I am as an athlete my whole life, is that I'm there for the big moments. What can this team accomplish this summer? We want to set a new standard for American soccer, to do for this sport in this country what the '94 group did when the World Cup was here last. That started the love for the game in America. We want to continue to raise the bar and inspire 5- to 10-year-olds who are watching this game so that in 15 years from now, they're setting another new standard.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 World Cup Odds: How Will Mexico Fare?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-how-will-mexico-fare</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-how-will-mexico-fare</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[El Tri often makes the Round of 16 but fails to get past that point. Will 2026 bring different results?]]>
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				<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:59:40 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[As one of three host nations for the World Cup, El Tri will look to make 2026 its year to go deeper than the Round of 16. More on that later. Here are the odds for how Mexico will fare in this year's tournament. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Team Mexico — Stage of Elimination Last 32: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)Last 16: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)Group stage: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)Quarterfinals: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)Semifinals: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Runner-up: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Outright winner: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total) Mexico to Qualify from Group A: -1400 (bet $10 to win $10.71 total) Mexico Group A Winner: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total) Mexico Top Goalscorer Raul Jimenez: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)Santiago Gimenez: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Roberto Alvarado: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) What to know: Mexico has made a habit of being in the running, but never really being in the running. Make sense? Consider this: El Tri made it out of the group stage in seven consecutive World Cups (1994-2018), but never made it past the Round of 16 in any of those years. In 2022, Mexico failed to make it out of the group stage, and it will look to get back to its winning ways in 2026, as it is favored to win Group A over South Korea, the Czech Republic and South Africa.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 FIFA World Cup Bracket: Simulating the Tournament Based on Betting Favorites]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-fifa-world-cup-bracket-simulating-tournament-based-betting-favorites</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-fifa-world-cup-bracket-simulating-tournament-based-betting-favorites</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
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				    <![CDATA[What if the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup bracket was simulated using betting odds? Check out the results here.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:27:04 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[What happens when you let the odds decide the World Cup? We simulated the entire bracket to find out. For the first time ever, 48 nations will compete across 12 groups of four spread throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. From the opening match on June 11 to the World Cup Final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, the tournament will feature a record 104 matches packed with drama, chaos, heartbreak and many unforgettable moments - all streaming on FOX One. With so many matches and an expanded knockout stage, predicting how the bracket could unfold has become even more fascinating. Here is a full look at a projected World Cup bracket based entirely on betting favorites advancing through every round of the tournament. In other words, this is the "all chalk" bracket. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. How the Bracket Was Built To simulate the 2026 World Cup bracket, every pick was based entirely on betting markets. Using DraftKings odds, we advanced the favorite at every stage of the tournament. Group winners and runners-up were determined using odds to win each group along with odds to qualify from the group stage. The eight third-place teams that advanced were selected by comparing qualification odds across all 12 groups. Because the 48-team format includes predetermined knockout pairings for third-place qualifiers, FIFA’s official tournament regulations were used to place every advancing team into the correct Round of 32 matchup. From there, every knockout match was decided by which nation had shorter odds to win the World Cup outright. Projected Round of 32 Matchups: The knockout stage officially begins with the Round of 32, where every group winner and runner-up automatically advances. The favorite to win each group was placed into the No. 1 position from that group, while the team with the second-best odds to win the group was slotted into the No. 2 position for their respective group. To determine those final eight spots, we used the betting odds in the "to qualify from group" markets and selected the strongest remaining teams that were not projected to finish first or second in their groups. Here’s how the projected Round of 32 would look if every group favorite advanced based on current DraftKings odds. The left side of the bracket features several European powers, including France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the right side is also loaded with contenders such as Brazil, England, Argentina and Portugal. Notably, both host nations, the USA and Mexico, advanced past the Round of 32 in this projection, setting up spots in the Round of 16 during a home World Cup. Projected Round of 16 Matchups: The "all chalk" bracket continues into the Round of 16, with the next round featuring some of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups. This round would be headlined by a massive showdown between Germany and France, pitting the 2014 World Cup champions against the 2018 World Cup champions. Meanwhile, Colombia, a nation many view as a potential dark horse in the tournament, would face Spain in one of the most intriguing matchups of the round. Unfortunately, this is where the road comes to an end for both the USA and Mexico, as the two host nations draw difficult Round of 16 matchups against Belgium and England. On the right side of the bracket, Argentina and Portugal both continue advancing, keeping alive the possibility of a blockbuster Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo showdown. Quarterfinals We’re now down to the final eight, with some incredible matchups taking place. The left side of the bracket would feature France vs. the Netherlands along with Spain vs. Belgium, creating two heavyweight European clashes with semifinal spots on the line. As is the case in this projection, if Argentina and Portugal both win their respective groups and then take care of business against favorable opponents in the first two knockout rounds, they would meet in a dream quarterfinal matchup between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Given the structure of the bracket and the current betting odds, there is a very realistic path for this "matchup of a lifetime" to happen. England vs. Brazil would also headline the round in what would be another marquee matchup between two nations that have the third-best (+650) and fourth-best (+850) odds to win it all, respectively. Semifinals And then there were four. As this projection shows, if Spain and France both win their respective groups, they would land on the same side of the bracket. That is hugely significant considering they currently hold the two shortest odds to win the World Cup, with Spain at +475 and France at +500. Because of the way the bracket is structured, there is a very realistic chance the tournament’s two favorites could meet in the semifinals instead of the World Cup Final, similar to how Spain and France faced off in the semifinal at UEFA Euro 2024. On the other side, England and Argentina would square off in another massive matchup featuring two of the sport’s biggest global powers. World Cup Final If the bracket goes all chalk, we would get a rematch of the 2024 Euro Final between Spain and England. Spain won that match 2-1 after Mikel Oyarzabal scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute. This matchup would also make history, becoming the first men’s FIFA World Cup Final that served as a rematch of the previous European Championship Final. The current odds for this exact finals matchup to happen is +1400, the shortest odds of any exact matchup.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 Canada World Cup Odds: How Far Will Les Rouges Go?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-canada-les-rouges</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-canada-les-rouges</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Canada makes its third-ever World Cup appearance in 2026. Will this year bring luck to Les Rouges?]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:12:23 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Canada has never won a FIFA Men's World Cup match. Could 2026 be the year that all changes for Les Rouges? Here are the odds for how Canada will fare in this year's tournament. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Team Canada — Stage of Elimination Group stage: -160 (bet $10 to win $16.25 total)Last 32: +210 (bet $10 to win $31 total)Last 16: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)Quarterfinals: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Semifinals: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)Runner-up: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)Outright winner: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total) Canada to Qualify from Group B: -750 (bet $10 to win $11.33 total) Canada Group B Winner: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total) Canada Top Goalscorer Jonathan David: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)Cyle Larin: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) What To Know: Canada kicks off its World Cup matches as a part of Group B on Friday, June 12. The country's first game will be against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canada has only qualified to play in the global event three times — 1986, 2022 and 2026. While the Canadians ended a 36-year-long drought with their appearance in 2022, it was short-lived, as the team got ousted in the group stage with a record of 0-0-3.]]>
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					<![CDATA[4 Players Who Could Steal The Show At The 2026 World Cup]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-breakout-players-germany-bosnia-norway-argentina</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-breakout-players-germany-bosnia-norway-argentina</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Here are four names to circle before the tournament starts.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:24:53 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Every World Cup creates a star nobody saw coming. Colombia's James Rodriguez dazzled at the 2014 tournament in Brazil with his spectacular goals that ushered a move to Real Madrid. And after helping Argentina lift the trophy at Qatar 2022, Enzo Fernández parlayed a £106 million record move to Chelsea in January 2023. Someone is going to surprise us all again this summer. Here are four names to circle before the tournament starts. Age: 29Position: StrikerClub: VfB Stuttgart (German Bundesliga) The conversation around Germany begins and ends with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Understandable, they possess that otherworldly ability. But quietly sitting behind them is a striker who just posted 19 goals and six assists in 28 Bundesliga appearances — making him one of the league's most efficient strikers. He then scored twice against Finland days before the squad flew out. Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann trusts him. Germany will have games where it needs to break something open off the bench. Undav has been waiting his entire career for exactly that moment to break out of the shadows on the international scene and become one of the main men to lead the squad. Age: 21Position: WingerClub: PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie) Born in Appleton, Wisconsin. Raised in a Bosnian household. Came up through the New England Revolution. Switched his international allegiance from the United States to Bosnia — and then stepped up and converted the decisive penalty to knock Italy out of its third consecutive World Cup. He's only 21 and plays at PSV. He's a left-footed inverted winger who takes people on and creates. Bosnia is in a group with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar — a realistic path to the knockouts. Opposing sides haven't studied him properly yet, and most fans can't pronounce his surname. Esmir's game speaks for itself though. He's one of those players who would stand out instantly on a futsal pitch. He glides effortlessly with the ball. He has that mesmerizing technique when taking on his defender. Goal and assist production hasn't materialized yet at the domestic level, but he's still young and inexperienced. The personality he showed in the World Cup playoffs against Italy is a telltale sign of his personality and confidence — shining in the biggest moment of his career. Age: 21Position: WingerClub: RB Leipzig (German Bundesliga) Everything in this Norway squad orbits Erling Haaland. Every defensive structure collapses inward the moment the hulking blonde receives the ball in dangerous areas. That's precisely why Nusa, the 21-year-old right back/winger, is so dangerous. The space exists thanks to the black hole that swallows up defenders in the shape of Haaland. Nusa will make the most of his one-on-one opportunities. He's a direct, quick and tricky winger who plays with loads of swagger. Manager Ståle Solbakken's predicted lineup has him starting. Norway went eight wins from eight in qualifying. This team isn't just here to make up the numbers, and Nusa might be one of the main reasons it makes a deep run in the tournament. Age: 21Position: Attacking midfielderClub: Como 1907 (Italian Serie A) Argentina arrives as the defending champion with a familiar question hanging over everything: What happens when Messi can't carry it anymore? The answer might be wearing the squad number right next to him. Paz is 21, plays for Como and just had the best season of any midfielder in Serie A by most accounts — 21 goals and assists across all competitions. Paz has elite vision and an honest work rate off the ball, and he moves with a rare elegance. He's not expected to start for Argentina, and that's fine. Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni will use Paz as an impact substitute. My hunch is he'll make the most of his first few minutes and turn them into a start at some point in this tournament.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 World Cup Odds: Will There Be a First-Time Winner?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-will-first-time-winner</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-will-first-time-winner</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Can a new nation win the FIFA World Cup for the first time since Spain in 2010? Check out the latest odds.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:26:23 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Only eight nations have ever won the men’s FIFA World Cup since the tournament began in 1930, which is what makes the "First Time Winner" betting market one of the more fascinating props on the board heading into this summer. Brazil leads all nations with five World Cup titles, while Germany and Italy each have four. Argentina has won three, France and Uruguay have two apiece, and England and Spain each have one title. However, Italy failed to qualify, meaning only seven previous champions are in this year’s field. That leaves 41 nations with a chance to become a first-time World Cup winner. Let's check out the latest "First Time Winner" odds. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Will there be a First Time Winner? Yes: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)No: -280 (bet $10 to win $13.57 total) These odds show just how difficult it historically has been for new nations to break through at a World Cup. The last nation to become a first-time FIFA World Cup champion was Spain in 2010. Additionally, in the last 11 World Cups dating back to 1982, there have only been two first-time winners. However, this summer could be different. The expanded 48-team format in 2026 could create more volatility than ever before, especially with more nations (32) advancing into the knockout stage. Unlike in years past, when a team only needed four knockout victories to win the World Cup, the expanded format demands a much tougher road of five consecutive single-elimination wins and eight total matches to lift the trophy. Several countries near the top of the oddsboard are still chasing their first-ever title. Portugal, currently listed at +1000, has the shortest odds among nations that have never won a World Cup. The Netherlands sits just behind Portugal at +2000, while Norway (+3000), Belgium (+3500), Colombia (+4000) and Morocco (+5000) round out the next tier of nations still searching for their first World Cup title. The U.S. men’s national team currently has the seventh-shortest odds among non-World Cup winners to lift the trophy in 2026, at +6000. On their home soil, could the USA shock the world and become the ninth nation to win a FIFA World Cup?]]>
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				<title>
					<![CDATA[2026 World Cup Quarterfinal Odds: Which Squads Will Make Final 8?]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-quarterfinal-odds-which-squads-will-make-final-8</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-quarterfinal-odds-which-squads-will-make-final-8</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Which countries will make it to the quarterfinals? Check out the latests odds.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:17:29 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Winning two knockout stage games? That means you're really in the running to win the World Cup. Let's check out the odds for which countries will make it to the quarterfinals at FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 2. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.To Reach Quarterfinals France: -165 (bet $10 to win $16.06 total)Spain: -160 (bet $10 to win $16.25 total)England: -145 (bet $10 to win $16.90 total)Brazil: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)Portugal: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)Argentina: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total)Belgium: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)Netherlands: +145 ((bet $10 to win $24.50 total) Germany: +145 (bet $10 to win $24.50 total)Norway: +230 (bet $10 to win $33 total)Colombia: +260 (bet $10 to win $36 total)USA: +260 (bet $10 to win $36 total)Mexico: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total)Switzerland: +280 (bet $10 to win $38 total)Uruguay: +320 (bet $10 to win $42 total)Morocco: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)Croatia: +410 (bet $10 to win $51 total)Türkiye: +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total)Ecuador: +490 (bet $10 to win $59 total)Canada: +490 (bet $10 to win $59 total)Japan: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Austria: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Ivory Coast: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Senegal: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Egypt: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)Sweden: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)South Korea: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total) Here's what to know about this oddsboard. Recent History: The quarterfinals are kinda a given for France, at least in recent years. The French have made it to at least the quarterfinals in five of the last seven World Cups, and they have made the final in four of the last seven years, winning the tournament twice. As for Spain, it has only made the quarterfinals twice in the past seven tournaments, but did win it all in 2010. Brazil has made it to at least the quarterfinals for eight consecutive tournaments. The Host Nations: Canada has never won or drawn a World Cup match in two tournament appearances. This will be its third World Cup showing. As for Mexico, it has two quarterfinal appearances all time (1970 and 1986), and the USA has one QF appearance (2002).]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 World Cup Odds: How Far Will Team USA Go?]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-how-far-will-team-usa-go</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/2026-world-cup-odds-how-far-will-team-usa-go</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[At which stage will Team USA be eliminated? Or, will it not be eliminated at all? See the odds.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:26:10 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[When will Team USA lose in the 2026 World Cup? Or, will it not lose at all? Let's check out the odds for the Americans' stage of elimination at FanDuel Sportsbook, as of June 2. Team USA — Stage of elimination odds Last 32: +170 (bet $10 to win $27 total)Last 16: +220 (bet $10 to win $32 total)Group stage: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Quarterfinals: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Semifinals: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)Runner-up: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)Outright winner: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total) This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. The outlook appears to be … ho-hum? If the odds ring true, the Americans are expected to make it out of the group stage but fall in the first knockout stage game. How would that result stack up against previous results? Well, at the 2022 World Cup, Team USA made it to the Round of 16, which was viewed as a stellar accomplishment. In 2018, the USA did not qualify for the World Cup, and in 2014 and 2010, the Americans also made it to the Round of 16. Their best result this century occurred in 2002, when the Americans made it all the way to the quarterfinals before being eliminated. In 1998, Team USA lost in the group stage, in 1994, it fell in the Round of 16, and in 1990, it also fell in the group stage. The second result on the oddsboard is the "Last 16," meaning the USA would make it out of the group stage and win one knockout stage game, before falling in the second knockout stage game. The third result is that the Americans failed to make it out of the group stage, and the fourth is that they made it to the quarterfinals, meaning they won two knockout stage games. Making the semis, losing in the championship game and winning the championship are the three results with the longest odds.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Top 100 Players In The 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ranked]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/world-cup-2026-ranking-best-100-players</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/world-cup-2026-ranking-best-100-players</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Our experts ranked the best players competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 23:04:51 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The best players in the world will be on display this summer at the 2026 World Cup. So, let’s rank them. Ahead of the world's premier sporting event (which you can watch for 3 days free on FOX One), our experts ranked the 100 best stars who will likely feature at this summer’s World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. We have officially released all 100 players on our list, and there are some serious star players here. We've got legends, rising names and players looking for their World Cup breakout moments. From Brazil's Vinícius Júnior and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain's Lamine Yamal and Egypt's Mo Salah, we've got the biggest and best players covered. So where do the legends land, and which young stars beat them out on the countdown? JUMP TO: 100-76 | 75-51 | 50-26 | 25-11 | 10-1 Without further ado, let’s get into it with insight from FOX Sports soccer analysts Maurice Edu, Stu Holden and Alexi Lalas. 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 100-76 Age: 28National team appearances: 52Club team: AC Milan (Italy) Estupiñán thrived in the Premier League for three seasons with Brighton before making a move to AC Milan last summer. He is one of the impressive talents that make Ecuador a potential sleeper this summer. Age: 26National team appearances: 56Club team: Liverpool (England) Isak scored 52 goals in his last two seasons at Newcastle before making a big-money move to Liverpool last summer. Injuries have limited him to just four goals and 21 games this season, but he is a constant threat to score whenever he’s on the pitch. "This is a guy who shows he oozes quality in the final third," Edu said. "He’s a guy that can be a threat in behind, he can link up play, but more than anything else, he’s a finisher." Age: 29National team appearances: 77Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Kim won Serie A with Napoli in 2023 before making a big move to Bayern Munich. He hasn’t established himself as a first-choice player for the German giants, but he will be a pillar in the Korean defense this summer. "When we redo this, maybe at the end of the tournament, and we look back, we might say, ‘I can’t believe we had Kim only at 98,’ when he comes out as one of the great center backs of the tournament," Lalas said. Age: 23National team appearances: 18Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Barcola is one of the hugely talented French attacking players who will be vying for a starting spot. At 22 years old, Barcola is one of the best young wingers in the world and plays at PSG, which won last season’s UEFA Champions League. Age: 28National team appearances: 26Club team: Manchester United (England) Martínez would start at center back for most teams in this tournament, but he’s likely going to start as the third option behind Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi, who started during Argentina’s winning run in 2022. He can fill in at left back, as well, and will play a role somehow for the reigning champions. Age: 25National team appearances: 49Club team: Manchester City (England) Foden was the Premier League Player of the Season in 2023-24, but he has not built off that honor. At 25 years old, he is yet to find his footing and establish a spot in the England team. Editor's note: Foden will miss the World Cup after not being selected for England's 26-man squad. Age: 28National team appearances: 31Club team: Brighton (England) Mitoma is an exciting winger who broke out two years ago for Brighton. He scored the winning goal for Japan back on March 31 in a friendly against England and will be the key player in attack for his country this summer. Editor's note: Mitoma will miss the World Cup due to a hamstring injury on May 9. Age: 28National team appearances: 33Club team: Inter Milan (Italy) Kylian Mbappé will likely lead France’s attack at the start of the tournament, but Thuram is a very good alternative. Son of former France star Lilian Thuram, Marcus has scored at least 12 Serie A goals in each of his first three seasons at Inter Milan. Age: 29National team appearances: 52Club team: Real Sociedad (Spain) A winger by trade for Real Sociedad, Oyarzabal has stepped up as a striker for the national team in the past. The best example was in the Euro 2024 final, when he scored the winning goal for Spain against England. "Just an absolute baller," Holden said. "I think he should be so much higher than 92. He’s so underrated. He’s 29 years old, and he’s played in six finals in his career. Do you know in how many of those finals he has scored? All six. He’s scored in every final that he has played in." Age: 24National team appearances: 24Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Ramos famously replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal lineup for a Round of 16 game against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup and scored a hat trick. Ronaldo will likely start the tournament up front for Portugal, but Ramos is one of the best backup strikers you’ll see this summer. Age: 34National team appearances: 125Club team: Fulham (England) Jiménez is a fixture in the Fulham starting lineup and will be the main man for Mexico this summer. With 44 goals for El Tri, he’s two goals behind former striker Jared Borgetti for second most all time. "The pressure that’s going to be on his shoulders will be incredibly heavy," Edu said. Age: 20National team appearances: 28Club team: Juventus (Italy) Yıldız broke into the Juventus lineup three years ago and quickly became a focal point of the team’s attack. At 20 years old, he has already made 28 appearances for Türkiye. "He is a guy that, at any moment, can change a game," Holen said. Age: 27National team appearances: 16Club team: Arsenal (England) Eze made a huge move to Arsenal last summer and immediately became a big part of Mikel Arteta's squad. He normally plays an attacking role, but he could push for the spot in England's midfield that is usually occupied by Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. Age: 29National team appearances: 41Club team: Arsenal (England) Merino is unlikely to start for Spain, but he'll still probably play a big role. He scored eight goals in 10 appearances last year for the reigning European champions. A midfielder by trade, Merino has also played as a striker for both club and country. Age: 34National team appearances: 84Club team: Manchester United (England) Casemiro is a four-time Champions League winner at Real Madrid, but he hasn’t maintained his high level of quality since moving to Manchester United in 2022. His former Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is now in charge of Brazil and brought the midfielder back to the national team last year. "Have you watched Casemiro this season? He’s having a renaissance," Holden said. "He’s been flying. Brazil is going to need him with some of the injuries they’re picking up now." Age: 30National team appearances: 41Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Ruiz was part of PSG’s dominant midfield trio last year that powered the team’s Champions League victory. Spain’s midfield is loaded with talent, so it won’t be as easy for him to find a spot in the starting lineup. Age: 25National team appearances: 27Club team: Manchester City (England) Guéhi was the captain for Crystal Palace last summer when the South London club won the FA Cup. He moved to Manchester City earlier this year and has immediately become a fixture in the reigning Premier League champion’s defense. Age: 25National team appearances: 15Club team: Liverpool (England) Frimpong is listed as a defender, but he’s as important to the Dutch attack as he is to its defense. He has impressive pace and is a constant threat down the right wing when he’s on the pitch. Age: 26National team appearances: 22Club team: Chelsea (England) James will be an important player for England this summer with versatility to play either right back or midfield. Staying healthy has been James’ problem at Chelsea, although he has played in more than two dozen games in the Premier League this season. Age: 33National team appearances: 143Club team: LAFC (United States) Son is in the middle of his first full season in Los Angeles after a decade in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. He’s South Korea’s all-time leader in national team appearances. "He’s struggling a little bit at the start of the season from a goals perspective. But I still think when it comes to South Korea, when it comes to big games, I don’t worry for a second," Holden said. Age: 27National team appearances: 46Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Koundé will likely start at right back for the French, who are among the favorites this summer. He has made at least 40 appearances in each of the last four seasons for Barcelona. Age: 27National team appearances: 84Club team: AC Milan (Italy) "Captain America" will have all eyes on him this summer. At 27 years old, Pulisic has already made 84 appearances for the U.S. national team. His 32 goals are 25 behind Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. Pulisic has not scored for the U.S. since November 2024, so he’ll need to regain his form if the Americans want to make a run into the knockout round. "On talent alone, Pulisic is a top-40 player in the world," Holden said. Age: 21National team appearances: 28Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Güler is finishing up his third season at Real Madrid and has emerged as a key player in the squad. He will be the main man for Türkiye for years to come, starting with this summer’s World Cup. "Güler and Kenan Yıldız are going to play a big part for Türkiye in this World Cup," Holden said. "Playing at Real Madrid, there’s a certain level of not just quality that you need to have, but personality — being able to handle the weight of that shirt. And now, when you put on that Türkiye jersey as well, we’ve seen him deliver. At such a young age, we have seen him take that responsibility." Age: 27National team appearances: 32Club team: Arsenal (England) Gyökeres scored a memorable hat trick against Poland in the UEFA World Cup playoffs in March, including one in the 87th minute to seal a 3-2 win. He moved to Arsenal last summer and has 18 goals in all competitions. Age: 27National team appearances: 48Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Olmo emerged as a key player for Spain at Euro 2024. He scored three goals — finishing in a six-way tie for the Golden Boot — including one in the quarterfinal and semifinal against Germany and France, respectively. 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 75-51 Age: 31National team appearances: 66Club team: Barcelona (Spain), on loan from Al-Hilal Few defenders will be important attackers for their countries this summer, but Cancelo is one of them. The right back has impressive pace that makes him a threat down the wing. He has 12 goals in 66 appearances for Portugal, which is a very good rate for a defender. Age: 24National team appearances: 22Club team: Arsenal (England) Martinelli will be a key player for Brazil this summer. He has struggled to establish a starting spot on the left wing because of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, but his pace means he will be a key contributor this summer. He only has one Premier League goal for Arsenal this season, so he isn’t in the best form right now. Age: 27National team appearances: 64Club team: Juventus (Italy) McKennie is the highest-rated American player on this list, having established himself as a fixture in Juventus’ lineup. He has played at least 34 games in Italy’s Serie A in each of the last three seasons and has been all over the field — in defense at fullback, in midfield and as an attacker. "The guy is a baller. I would say he’s having the most impressive season of his career," Holden added. "The most important thing is, now he’s playing further forward up the field, and he’s shown that he can score goals and create assists." McKennie can do it all, which the United States may need him to do this summer if it makes a run through the knockout stages. If the Americans are playing, expect to see a lot of McKennie. "Ever since he came into the national team, when he’s on the pitch, the team has a different kind of bounce to them," Edu said. "He’s expressive in everything he does, whether that’s attacking play in the final third or being on the opposite end defending and tracking back. One of the beautiful things about him is that he’s so adaptable. To me, he’s growing into being probably the most important player on this team." Age: 27National team appearances: 44Club team: Liverpool (England) Mac Allister will be a key presence in the Argentina midfield this summer, as he was in 2022 en route to World Cup glory. Since then, he moved to Liverpool and won the Premier League last season. Mac Allister is capable of popping up and scoring a huge goal while also dictating the game on the ball. He’s one of the best center midfielders in the world. "If it’s one game in a World Cup to win, I want that guy on my team," Holden said. "He’s a World Cup winner, a Premier League winner. He’s a gamer. He can flick the light switch and be a baller." Age: 26National team appearances: 43Club team: AC Milan (Italy) When Leão is fit and in form, few attackers in the world are better. Consistency has been the issue for the Portugal attacker, who has only scored five goals in 43 games for the national team. If he’s in form, Leão could be an X-factor capable of pushing Portugal over the top this summer. Age: 28National team appearances: 82Club team: Crystal Palace (England) Sarr played all 38 games in the Premier League for Crystal Palace last season, during which the South London club also won the FA Cup. Sarr has made 83 appearances for Senegal and will be one of the go-to guys for his country this summer, alongside teammate Sadio Mané. Age: 30National team appearances: 38Club team: AC Milan (Italy) Hugo Lloris retired from international play after the 2022 World Cup, and Maignan stepped in and hasn’t given the job up. Maignan is one of the best shot-stopping goalkeepers in the world and is firmly entrenched as AC Milan’s starter. He will be one of the best last lines of defense for a French squad that will be one of the most talented in World Cup history. Age: 24National team appearances: 8Club team: Chelsea (England) Brazil has been looking for a definitive No. 9 in its lineup for years, and Pedro might be the answer. After two impressive seasons at Brighton, he has 14 Premier League goals for Chelsea this season. He’ll likely be the focal point of Brazil’s attack this summer, which puts a lot on his shoulders for the perennial contender. "He’s a guy that’s very dynamic on the ball," Holden said. "He can run in behind, he likes to drop underneath and hold the ball up. You have someone that needs to say, ‘I’m going to be that guy that scores goals for Brazil,’ and I think João Pedro has the ability to do that." Age: 25National team appearances: 31Club team: Arsenal (England) Since beginning his Arsenal career in 2022, Saliba has become one of the best defenders in the world. He’s an impressive athlete who was part of the French team that made it to the 2022 World Cup final. He’ll be one of the first names on the team sheet for Les Bleus this summer. "They call him the Rolls-Royce, Mr. William Saliba," Edu said. "The guy does ooze class. He plays with a certain level of composure as a center back. He wins his one-on-one duels. He’s very strong, competitive and physical." Age: 31National team appearances: 104Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) At 31 years old, Marquinhos has already played 104 times for his country. He has been widely considered one of the best defenders in the world for the past decade, having played more than 500 games for PSG since arriving in 2013. The 31-year-old is still playing at a high level and will be wearing the captain’s armband for Brazil this summer. "Marquinhos is going to have to be big with the injury to Militão," Lalas said. Age: 19National team appearances: 11Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Cubarsí turned 19 in January and has already played 125 times for Barcelona. He’s less established for Spain, having only made 11 appearances for the national team. There is a lot of competition for spots in the Spanish defense, and it would not surprise anyone if Cubarsí was in the lineup for the team’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15. Age: 33National team appearances: 76Club team: Liverpool (England) Part of what makes Alisson one of the best goalkeepers in the world is his ability with his feet. He may be the best passer at his position in world soccer. His problem in past years has been staying on the pitch, as he’s missed at least 10 Premier League games in each of the last three seasons. When he’s between the posts, though, he’s still one of the world’s best for both club and country. Age: 26National team appearances: 27Club team: Liverpool (England) Konaté ranks just higher than Saliba, who he’ll likely partner in the middle of the French defense this summer. He’s one of the most physically imposing defenders in the world at 6-foot-4, and he also has the pace to stay with any attacker in the tournament. Age: 24National team appearances: 46Club team: Manchester City (England) Gvardiol is the most expensive defender in soccer history, having cost Manchester City $105 million back in 2023. He has been injured for much of this season, but he’s one of the best passing defenders in the world. While Luka Modrić runs the Croatian midfield, Gvardiol will command the defense. Age: 26National team appearances: 48Club team: Liverpool (England) Gakpo will be the key player in the Netherlands’ attack this summer, especially with news that his Oranje teammate Xavi Simons tore his ACL late in the season for Tottenham. Gakpo has emerged as a key playmaker for Liverpool and can play anywhere in attack. He’ll need to be at his best wherever he plays if the Dutch are going to contend this summer. "When he gets to the World Cup and big tournaments, he starts to get hot and score goals," Holden said. "He broke onto the scene at the 2022 World Cup. He’s got a lot of ability running at players, and it gets a little frantic, but he’s streaky. He can score goals. Tons of talent." Age: 22National team appearances: 7Club team: Barcelona (Spain) López is the perfect example of the impressive depth that Spain has in midfield. He has made more than 120 appearances for Barcelona over the past three seasons, but he might not come close to cracking the starting lineup. López is more than capable of scoring and creating goals and will be a key player for Spain this summer, regardless of whether he starts games. Age: 33National team appearances: 113Club team: Liverpool (England) Salah is lower on this list than he would have a couple of years ago. He is no longer in the conversation as one of the best players in the world, but he’ll still be the go-to guy for Egypt this summer. Salah’s post-World Cup future is up in the air, as he will be leaving Liverpool, but he’s Egypt’s main hope to make any noise this summer. "For a guy that’s done so much in his career, this is a massive opportunity," Edu said. "When you talk about legacy and what you want to leave behind at club and national team level, for Mo Salah, if you can guide your team into the knockout round of the World Cup, it just adds to the legend. "I love the chance that he has at this World Cup to really cement who he is both at club and national team level." Age: 23National team appearances: 25Club team: Liverpool (England) Gravenberch moved to Liverpool in 2023 after an uneventful season at Bayern Munich, and he has established himself as an elite defensive midfielder. He was a key player last season when Liverpool won the Premier League and has remained a fixture in the Reds’ midfield. Age: 29National team appearances: 69Club team: Napoli (Italy) McTominay went from Manchester United outcast to Napoli legend in his first season in Italy. He was the Serie A Player of the Season with Napoli winning the league in 2025. McTominay has also scored big goals for his country and will be Scotland’s key man in the middle this summer. If the Scots score a big goal or get a big result, chances are McTominay will be a big reason why. "The amount of respect he has gotten in Serie A, and again this year with Napoli — he’s physically so tall, so fast, strong and powerful," Holden said. "He can score goals, he can assist. He’s a top-30 player in the world right now, Scott McTominay, for sure. Not even a question." Age: 24National team appearances: 34Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Pacho broke out last season for PSG, cementing his spot in the middle of the French champions’ defense. From there, he starred en route to Champions League glory. He’ll partner Arsenal’s Piero Hincapíé in the middle of Ecuador’s back four, which on paper might be one of the stronger units in the field. "Ecuador is my dark horse, and they’re going to make a run in this tournament built off being strong defensively," Edu said. "William Pacho being at center back plays a massive role in that equation." Age: 27National team appearances: 67Club team: Arsenal (England) Two years ago, Ødegaard was considered one of the top play-making midfielders in the world. His last two seasons at Arsenal have been ravaged by injuries, though, so he hasn’t been able to regain that form. He’ll be the key playmaker for Norway this summer with the goal of feeding strikers Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth. "He’s had so many injuries this season at club level," Edu said. "At his best, this guy is a top-10 chance-maker in the world — his creativity, his weight of the final pass, his vision to see the final pass. "But as of late, it’s kind of been stop-start. It’s going to be him and Erling Haaland that really steer this ship and determine the fortunes for how far Norway can go." Age: 25National team appearances: 40Club team: Chelsea (England) Fernández broke out during Argentina’s run to World Cup glory in 2022 and made a move to Chelsea one month after lifting the trophy. He’s an all-action midfielder who can cover every blade of grass and is capable of popping up with a big goal when necessary. He’ll be the key man in Argentina’s midfield this summer. Age: 23National team appearances: 30Club team: Athletic Club Bilbao (Spain) Williams was a star during Spain’s run two years ago at the Euros, but he hasn’t ascended at the club level since then. He has limitless potential and will be a key attacking option for Spain this summer. Whether he’s a starter or is doing so off the bench remains to be seen. "In the Euros, he was unplayable," Holden said. "Nobody could stop him." Age: 27National team appearances: 25Club team: Arsenal (England) When Rodri got hurt in the first half of the Euro 2024 final against England, Zubimendi stepped in at halftime and helped lead Spain to victory. "When I see him for Spain, I see a freer version of Zubimendi, and I think that’s where he is a little bit better because he can get around the field a little bit more," Holden said. "He can read the spaces, and there are different types of combinations and a little bit more free-flowing attacking play. I think we see a better version of him with Spain than we do at Arsenal." If healthy, Rodri is likely to start over Zubimendi, but the Arsenal midfielder provides plenty of stability off the bench when necessary. "This summer, based on the health, the fitness and the form of Rodri, he will have a significant role to play for Spain," Edu said. "I still look at Zubimendi — he’s a top player. Quality on the ball, quality in the way that he sees the game. He’s just got to get back to being at his very best." Age: 34National team appearances: 124Club team: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) Mané just turned 34, so his best days might be behind him, but he could definitely still be an impact player this summer. He is Senegal’s all-time leading goalscorer, and he’s five appearances behind teammate Idrissa Gueye’s 131 for the most in the history of the national team. "He’s going to be so important for Senegal," Holden said. "In his day, this guy was a phenomenal player — 120 goals from 2016 to 2022 for Liverpool." 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 50-26 Age: 27National team appearances: 23Club team: Chelsea (England) While players have come and gone at Chelsea over the past few years, Cucurella has been one constant presence. He’ll enter the World Cup having played more than 100 games over the past two seasons for the Blues, all since starting for Spain en route to the Euro 2024 crown two years ago. "He’s a shutdown defender," Holden said. "Look, he’s played against some of the best in the world, and I’ve seen him play one-on-one. He’s smart. He’s tough. He’s a hard-nosed defender at the end of the day. He’s a guy I want on my team." Age: 29National team appearances: 64Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Any manager would love to have a player like de Jong in midfield. The Barcelona man controls play and is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The combination of de Jong and Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch will be one of the best midfield duos in the tournament. Age: 33National team appearances: 59Club team: Aston Villa (England) Martínez burst onto the scene in 2020 for Arsenal, and his ascension has seemingly never stopped. He quickly became Argentina’s starting goalkeeper, and then he was the hero in the 2022 World Cup final in the penalty shootout. Martínez is among the best goalkeepers in the world and brings an attitude to the game that has the spotlight constantly on him. Age: 28National team appearances: 41Club team: Newcastle (England) Guimarães will be a big presence in midfield for Brazil. He’s capable of covering every blade of grass and has the kind of attitude that wins games. Age: 29National team appearances: 74Club team: Manchester City (England) Dias was the 2021 Premier League Player of the Season for Manchester City in his first year at the club. He is one of the most decorated defenders in the world. All that’s missing for the physical center back is success at the international level with Portugal. This summer will be a great chance for him to achieve that. Age: 27National team appearances: 30Club team: Manchester City (England) While de Jong and Gravenberch do the dirty work in the Dutch midfield, Reijnders will be pulling the strings. The Dutchman thrived at AC Milan before moving to Manchester City ahead of this past season. While he hasn’t maintained a consistent starting spot, he’s the kind of midfielder who can control the tempo of a game. Age: 34National team appearances: 107Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Over the past decade, he has been the best goalkeeper in the world. At 6-foot-7, it’s very difficult to beat Courtois, who has put in match-winning performances on the biggest stages at Real Madrid. His performance at the 2022 Champions League Final in Real’s 1-0 win over Liverpool was the stuff of legend. Belgium has a big leg up with Courtois between the posts. Age: 35National team appearances: 67Club team: Fenerbahçe (Türkiye) Kanté may not be the flashiest name on the French team sheet, but he is arguably its most indispensable asset. Now 35 and playing in Turkey, the veteran has defied age to prove he is still one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. As a key architect of France's 2018 World Cup glory, the tireless midfielder has built a career on disrupting world-class attacks with a smile on his face. Age: 33National team appearances: 82Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Rüdiger moved to Real Madrid in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of the best center backs in the world. He’s on the back nine of his career at 33 years old, but he would start for every country in this tournament. At 6-foot-3, Rüdiger brings an impressive combination of size and athleticism to the table that is rarely matched. Age: 22National team appearances: 5Club team: Manchester City (England) Cherki is finishing up his first season at Manchester City and has found his form since the calendar turned to 2026. He is a dynamic dribbler who’s very difficult to get the ball away from, and he’s scored some massive goals late in the season to show off his end product. "He’s silky smooth — like butter," Holden said. "This guy is different. He has an aura. He has class. He’s skillful. He’s not afraid to take players on, and I think he’s becoming a poster boy for this over-coaching generation: Just let a guy like him be him. Let him enjoy the game. He makes me enjoy the game by watching him, and if anything, I think he should be higher than No. 41." Cherki faces an uphill battle to start in a supremely talented France squad, but his late-season form might make manager Didier Deschamps’ decision easy. "I think everyone agrees he has the potential to be one of the greats," Lalas said. Age: 41National team appearances: 226Club team: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) This may seem low for Ronaldo, but it’s impressive for the 41-year-old goalscoring extraordinaire to still be competing at this level. "We have underestimated just how much quality this guy still has at his age," Holden said. "We look at the number, but age is only a number. I know he’s been playing in Saudi Arabia, and we talk about his level dropping, but the reality is that in the Nations League and in qualifying, Ronaldo was scoring goals left and right." He’s closing in on 1,000 goals for his career and has the chance this summer to add the one piece of silverware his incredible resume is missing: the World Cup. "You need a winner," Edu said. "You need a guy with this level of experience, a guy who has scored in five consecutive World Cups. No. 40? There, I said it: Cristiano should be higher. Even at this precious, delicate age of 41 years young, Cristiano Ronaldo is still a winner. He has a winner’s mentality." Age: 23National team appearances: 41Club team: Manchester City (England) Doku is a defender’s nightmare when he is on his game. The Belgian winger might be the best dribbler in the World Cup. He’s smooth on the ball and has impressive pace and quickness that will wreak havoc in the opposition’s 18-yard box. With midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku getting up there in years, Doku looks like the future of the Belgium team. Age: 20National team appearances: 6Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Doué will turn 21 during the World Cup and is already one of the best wingers in the world. He scored in last year's Champions League Final, which PSG won, and quickly has become a major contender for minutes in France’s stacked attack. Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise all seemingly have spots filled. Doué and Cherki will be the key contenders to start alongside that trio. Age: 34National team appearances: 117Club team: Napoli (Italy) While De Bruyne is getting older, class is permanent. At 34 years old, he is still one of the best playmakers in world soccer. The key for him is to make sure he stays healthy so he can add to his 117 national-team appearances and 36 goals. If Belgium has success this summer, it will go through its midfield maestro. Age: 30National team appearances: 71Club team: Inter Milan (Italy) Dumfries has established himself as one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world over the past few years. The right back is a constant goal threat and will be a focal point for opposition looking to slow down the Dutch this summer. Look for him to play a key role on both ends of the pitch for the Netherlands. Age: 23National team appearances: 43Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Mendes is the No. 2 left back on this list and No. 3 fullback. He joined PSG in 2021 and quickly established himself as an elite player at his position. Mendes is one of the fastest fullbacks in the world, and he’s also an extremely capable defender. With João Cancelo at right back and Mendes on the left, Portugal have one of the best fullback pairs in the tournament. Age: 40National team appearances: 196Club team: AC Milan (Italy) This feels like it will be Modrić’s final major tournament for Croatia, but it feels unwise to count out the 40-year-old. After 13 years at Real Madrid, he moved to AC Milan before this past season and has not lost a step. Few players possess the control that Modrić has, and he can still boss a game as well as any midfielder in the world. Modrić’s 196 international appearances for Croatia rank third among players likely to play this summer, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (226) and Lionel Messi (198). "I love watching Luka Modrić play," Holden said. "He’s the ultimate conductor in the middle of the field. His technical ability, his engine — he can just run for days upon days. Age: 24National team appearances: 14Club team: Chelsea (England) Palmer joined Chelsea in 2023, and he will enter the World Cup in maybe his worst form since that move. The England midfielder scored 37 Premier League goals in his first two seasons with the Blues, but injuries have halted his progression this year. Still, we know what he is capable of, as evidenced by his goal in the Euro 2024 final against Spain. Whether Palmer starts for England remains to be seen, but the left-footed playmaker is likely to play a key role for the Three Lions. Editor's note: Palmer will miss the World Cup after not being selected for England's 26-man squad. Age: 23National team appearances: 40Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) The 23-year-old suffered a fractured fibula during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup and missed the rest of 2025. Since then, he has slowly returned to the form that makes him one of the world’s best playmakers. An elite dribbler, Musiala will be at the core of the German attack this summer. If he is playing well, expect Germany to become a contender for the title. "He, to me, is must-see TV," Edu said. "He’s elite in terms of the way he just glides around the pitch. He’s not your overly flashy kind of player, but for Germany, since his introduction back in 2021 or so, the guy has matured year after year after year." Age: 31National team appearances: 107Club team: Manchester City (England) Silva is finishing his final season at Manchester City after nine years at the club that have seen him win everything. He has six Premier League winners medals to go with two FA Cup and five EFL Cup victories, as well as the 2023 Champions League. He’s as dependable a player as they come in midfield and, along with Bruno Fernandes, will orchestrate the Portuguese attack this summer to help complement Ronaldo. Age: 25National team appearances: 58Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Davies moved to Canada when he was 5 years old and became the face of Canadian soccer about 12 years later. He started his career in MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps before moving to Bayern Munich in 2018. From there, he became the best attacking left back in the world with his impressive pace and physicality. For Canada, Davies plays a more attacking role. He will have to play well if the host nation is going to succeed this summer. "Make no mistake about it: Alphonso Davies is by far the most important player for Canada," Edu said. "Where he ends up playing positionally — whether it’s at left back or higher up the pitch in the attacking phase — is yet to be determined, and Jesse Marsch has the flexibility to play with that and tinker with it. "But at his best, Alphonso Davies is elite. He’s a quality player. He brings a different dynamic with his pace and, more than anything, his experience playing at such a high level on a consistent basis and playing a large role within a Bayern team." Age: 31National team appearances: 108Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Kimmich is approaching 500 career appearances for Bayern Munich and has already played 108 times for Germany. The 31-year-old is a born leader and will patrol the midfield this summer for the Germans. He doesn’t seem to ever stop running and can play all over the pitch. Teams that win big tournaments like the World Cup need versatile and driven players like Kimmich in their team. Age: 34National team appearances: 90Club team: Liverpool (England) The No. 2-ranked center back on this list has been the standard at the position since moving to Liverpool in 2018. At 6-foot-5, van Dijk has impressive pace to accompany his size, which means few attackers are able to dribble past him. He has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League with Liverpool, but there’s no international glory to go along with that. The 34-year-old Dutch captain will be the driving force of his team’s defense this summer. Age: 24National team appearances: 48Club team: Arsenal (England) Saka broke into the England team in 2021 and immediately made the right wing his position. The 24-year-old has 14 goals — three of which came at the 2022 World Cup — in 48 appearances for England and is a key player in the Three Lions’ attack. The fourth-highest ranked English player on this list, England will rely heavily on the left-footed Saka to create chances for goalscorer extraordinaire Harry Kane. "He is a player who has to show up for England," Edu said. "England will tell you every single World Cup that it’s coming home. If they truly believe that, Bukayo Saka is one of those players who has to be at his very best and sharpest to give them a chance." Age: 28National team appearances: 75Club team: Inter Milan (Italy) Martínez has scored more than 200 goals between Inter Milan and the national team since moving to Italy in 2018. He has firmly established himself as one of the best and most consistent strikers in the world, having scored at least 20 goals in each of the last five seasons. Whether Martínez starts for Argentina remains to be seen, with Julián Álvarez also thriving alongside Lionel Messi. 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 25-11 Age: 26National team appearances: 44Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) If France wins the World Cup this summer, the victory will be powered by its star attackers. Tchouaméni will likely be the unsung hero in midfield, though. The Real Madrid man will be on the ball more than any other French player this summer, dictating where the ball goes in attack and breaking up the opposition’s attacks. Tchouaméni is one of the best midfielders in the world, and his job is to complement the tournament’s best attack. Age: 26National team appearances: 34Club team: Manchester City (England) Semenyo has been a revelation in the Premier League this season. The London-born winger scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for Bournemouth before moving to Manchester City in January. England would love to have Semenyo in the fold for this tournament, but he made his debut for Ghana in 2022. He has become one of the best wingers in the world this season and will be the driving force behind any success Ghana has this summer. "One I want to pick out, Semenyo," Holden said. "He was phenomenal for Bournemouth. He’s gone to Man City. I think he’s played every minute of every game for the last two years. He doesn’t miss games. He just plays. He’s an absolute amazing player, he glides, he’s on his toes constantly the way he moves, good finisher." Holden later added: "I do like Semenyo as a player. I think it’s a fair number in terms of talent and ability." Age: 29National team appearances: 72Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Díaz was already known as one of the best wingers in the world after four seasons at Liverpool, but he has gone to another level this season after moving to Bayern Munich. The Colombian winger is nonstop action when he’s on the pitch with a relentless motor and impressive pace that will create problems for any defense. While James Rodriguez is the big name for Colombia, Díaz will be the key player for it this summer. "Luis Diaz is Colombia’s by far and away most important player for them to have a good run in this World Cup," Stu Holden said. "He’s a difference maker. That looks like a bargain for what Bayern paid for him from Liverpool. And that was a big price tag… I think what he’s shown is that going to a league in Germany, he has thrived. He’s going to be a big player in this World Cup." Maurice Edu also praised Diaz’s impact, saying: "When you talk about the numbers that he’s put up, when you talk about his ability to be an individual game changer, solo magician, goals, assists… you can’t look beyond Luis Diaz and what he’s done." Age: 23National team appearances: 39Club team: Liverpool (England) Wirtz broke out during the 2023-24 season when he led Bayer Leverkusen to an upset victory in the German Bundesliga. He scored 34 goals in his final two seasons with Leverkusen before making a nine-figure move to Liverpool, where he has failed to reach the same heights. Still, Wirtz will be a crucial factor for Germany this summer, alongside Jamal Musiala. The two young playmakers will be the keys for Germany for the next decade, if everything goes to plan. Age: 28National team appearances: 17Club team: Arsenal (England) Gabriel is the No. 1-ranked center back on this list, having established himself on both ends of the pitch for Arsenal in recent years. The Brazilian has made more than 220 appearances over the past five seasons for the Gunners, and he has established himself as a first-choice player for the national team. Gabriel has also made his name in attack as one of the best threats from corner and free kicks. The left-footed defender, though, will be a key cog as Brazil looks to return to glory this summer. Age: 24National team appearances: 60Club team: Chelsea (England) While Chelsea has been hot and cold in recent years, Caicedo’s presence in midfield is immense. In his first three seasons for the Blues, he has made just shy of 150 appearances. He is a physical player who is not afraid of a tackle. Along with defenders Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, Caicedo is the main man in a strong center of an Ecuador team that could play spoiler this summer. Age: 27National team appearances: 72Club team: Arsenal (England) Rice is an all-action midfielder who covers every blade of grass whenever he’s on the field. He is England’s engine and one of the first names on the team sheet. Over the past five seasons (two with West Ham and the last three with Arsenal), Rice has played more than 250 games. He is the definition of a box-to-box midfielder who will play a big role in both attack and defense for manager Thomas Tuchel’s team. When England is playing, expect to see a lot of Rice. "I like his all-around game," Edu said. "He can play as a box-to-box midfielder. He can play as a number six, comfortable on the ball, aggressive in the challenge in that midfield." Edu also highlighted Rice’s leadership qualities heading into the tournament. "He is the leader on the pitch," Edu said. "If England are truly going to bring it home and have it coming home, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are two guys that have to play massive roles throughout the course of this summer." Holden added: "This season has changed the way we think about Declan Rice… he’s raised his profile and shown us that he has another level." Age: 22National team appearances: 46Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Bellingham broke out as a 17-year-old at Borussia Dortmund before a 2023 move to Real Madrid, with which he won the Champions League in his first season. In his third season in Spain, the 22-year-old hasn’t reached the heights he did in his first two campaigns. He is a constant threat in the 18-yard box and has scored many big goals for England. Already with 46 appearances for the national team at his young age, Bellingham is the present and future for the Three Lions. Whether they’re able to bring the World Cup home this summer may depend on his form. "Look, player of the year in the Bundesliga in ’23, player of the year in La Liga in 2024," Holden said. "He was awesome for England at the Euro as well. He’s surrounded by global superstars at Real Madrid." Despite discussing Bellingham’s recent dip in form, Holden remained optimistic about the England star’s future. "I don’t worry about him longer term," Holden said. "He set such a high expectation for those years and now we’re like, ‘Okay, you’re a big star. You got to deliver.’" Age: 21National team appearances: 21Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) As a 19-year-old, Neves played 55 games for Benfica in Portugal before making a move to PSG, with which he won the Champions League in his first season. At just 5-foot-9, Neves is not an imposing figure in midfield, but he controls the game as well as any player in the world. He is a menace defensively but can also drive the ball up field with it at his feet. He will partner PSG teammate Vitinha and veteran midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva for a Portugal team that may boast the best midfield in the tournament. Age: 38National team appearances: 198Club team: Inter Miami (USA) Maybe the best player of all time, Messi will turn 39 years old on June 24. He is still extremely capable of leading the reigning world champions to a repeat run at the title. Messi has spent the past three seasons in MLS and is still averaging well north of 1.5 goals/assists per game for Inter Miami. Messi has made a staggering 198 appearances (second most among players likely to appear at the tournament) for Argentina with 116 goals to his name. As long as he is on the field, he will be the go-to guy for Argentines, who will go as far in the tournament as he takes them. "Lionel Messi, I think what you’re seeing with him being at 16 is an MLS bias," Holden said. "He’s lower than he should be. I think still this is the GOAT. This is the greatest player of all time." Holden continued: "I still think he will be as lethal as ever on the ball in the World Cup this summer. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen with my eyes and he can do things on the ball… at any given time." Edu echoed that praise. "The guy is just a pure footballer," Edu said. "When he’s on the ball, he is always the difference for Argentina… he still has that elite level quality, that GOAT level quality." Alexi Lalas also emphasized Messi’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage. "He delivers and time and time again, he delivers," Lalas said. "Nobody would put it past him." Age: 29National team appearances: 37Club team: Barcelona (Spain) While Vinícius Júnior makes the headlines for Brazil, Raphinha will be just as important to any success that the Seleção will have this summer. He moved to Barcelona in 2022 after two seasons in the Premier League with Leeds United and has been a key man for the club since. His best moment was the 2024-25 season, when he registered 34 goals and 22 assists across 57 games. He has been injured for a large part of this season but is regaining fitness just in time to play a starring role for Brazil this summer. The left-footed winger will be a force to be reckoned with on the right wing. "Raphinha has been amazing since that transfer from Leeds to Barcelona," Holden said. "He’s had a little bit of injuries of late, but I think Brazil, if they’re back, if they’re going to be good this World Cup, they’re going to rely a lot on Raphinha." Age: 29National team appearances: 61Club team: Manchester City (England) When Spain won Euro 2024, it was with Rodri pulling the strings in midfield. His performances that year with the national team and winning the Premier League with Manchester City saw him win the Ballon d’Or, which goes to the best player in the world for that season. Unfortunately, the past two seasons since that Euro triumph have been defined by injuries, with him playing just four games the following season while dealing with a knee injury. When he is fit, he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Spain. Rodri is one of the best midfielders in the world, dictating play on the ball while breaking up opposing attacks defensively. "Man, Rodri, what a player," Holden said. "We feel his presence when he’s not there for Manchester City. When he was injured, you saw the drop in their form." Holden also praised Rodri’s intelligence and influence on matches. "He’s so smart up in the head, physically so good," Holden said. "If he wants the game to go fast, the game goes fast. If he wants to slow the game down, he goes slow. I think he’s incredible." Age: 26National team appearances: 51Club team: Atlético Madrid (Spain) Álvarez’s coming-out party was during the 2024 World Cup, when he was a key piece in Argentina’s attack en route to the title. After two seasons at Manchester City, Álvarez moved to Atlético Madrid, where he has played more of a starring role as a center forward. Technically quick with his feet, Álvarez’s work rate is impressive for a striker. After years of looking for the ideal strike partner next to Messi, Álvarez has emerged as the ideal player to go alongside the all-time great. He’ll play a crucial part in Argentina’s title defense. Age: 31National team appearances: 87Club team: Manchester United (England) Since moving to Manchester United in January 2020, Fernandes has been one of the best playmakers in the Premier League. He has made more than 300 appearances for the Red Devils in those six seasons. While Ronaldo will grab the headlines, the Portuguese attack will go through Fernandes. He has 19 assists in the Premier League this season, and he’s second in the Premier League in assists to only Mohamed Salah since arriving in England. Given his recent form, ability to create scoring chances and to score goals, Fernandes will be the star man for Portugal’s attack this summer. "A player I want to look at — throw some respect on Bruno Fernandes," Holden said. "The season he’s having right now for Manchester United… he’s been the captain there for a number of years now. I think he’s a top, top player." Holden later added: "I think he’s top 10." Age: 27National team appearances: 73Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Valverde has been an absolute machine for Real Madrid over the past four seasons, making at least 54 appearances in each campaign. Teams that win major trophies need a player like Valverde in midfield, as his motor will not stop over the course of the 90 minutes. He will do all the necessary dirty work while also contributing to his team’s attack. Uruguay is not among the favorites, but the two-time world champions will not be an easy out with Valverde leading the midfield. "It’s his importance to the Uruguay national team," Edu said. "He’s an inspirational leader. He’s kind of like that heartbeat for the Uruguay national team." Edu also highlighted Valverde’s longevity and consistency at club level. "This is the only reason why I’m kind of slightly saying that I would put Valverde above Rodri," Edu said. "A player that’s been in Real Madrid what feels like forever." 2026 FIFA World Cup Top 100 Players: Nos. 10-1 Age: 23National team appearances: 40Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Pedri went from playing in Spain’s second division to making 52 appearances for Barcelona in 2020. Since then, he has become one of the best players in the world as a box-to-box midfielder for the Spanish giants. Pedri has already made 40 appearances for Spain at 24 years old, but he missed the run-in to the final of Euro 2024 after suffering a knee injury in the quarterfinal against Germany. When fit, Pedri is one of the first names on Spain’s formidable team sheet, which is especially impressive given the range of midfield depth that La Roja possess. When the reigning European champions are playing, expect to see a lot of Pedri all over the pitch. Age: 26National team appearances: 37Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) From a failed loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers to one of the best players in the world, Vitinha is the top-ranked midfield player on this list. The Portuguese maestro played 19 Premier League games for Wolves during the 2020-21 season, but the club decided against making the move permanent. He returned to Porto and was sensational the following season before moving to PSG in 2022. Since then, he has become the best on-ball midfielder in the world. Last season, he became PSG’s motor en route to a Champions League title and has not slowed down since. Portugal’s midfield is stacked with Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) and PSG teammate Joao Neves. Vitinha will be the conductor. Age: 27National team appearances: 95Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Another PSG player, Hakimi is the top-ranked defender on this list, although he’s not necessarily this high because of his defense. Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, Hakimi went through the ranks at Real Madrid before making successful moves to Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and PSG. In the French capital, he has further established himself as a force on the right wing. Few players in world soccer can match his pace, and he has also proven to be a more-than-capable defender. Hakimi was one of the stars that led Morocco to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. Having already made 95 appearances for his country at just 27 years old, any success that Morocco has this summer will depend on how its star man performs. Age: 25National team appearances: 47Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Few players grab headlines like Vini Jr. The 25-year-old joined Real Madrid at 18 years old and has made more than 370 appearances for Los Blancos. He has won the Champions League twice, including scoring the winner in both finals in 2022 and 2024. For the national team, though, Vini has not reached the same heights he has with his club. He is yet to win a major trophy at the international level but will be front and center of Brazil’s efforts this season. Vini will start on the left wing and be a focal point for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who coached him to those Champions League triumphs in Madrid. Age: 25National team appearances: 49Club team: Manchester City (England) Haaland is a 6-foot-5 monster whose pace and size are unmatched. He has scored more than 160 goals in his first four seasons with Manchester City, establishing himself as the best goal-scorer in the Premier League. He has been even more prolific for Norway with 55 goals in 49 appearances for the national team. Haaland has won the Premier League and Champions League, and he also has three Golden Boots as the Premier League’s top scorer on his resume. Next for him is success at the international level. This will be his first major tournament with Norway, which is potentially poised to break through this summer. Age: 24National team appearances: 15Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Olise was known as a very good playmaker for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, but he has gone into a new stratosphere since moving to Bayern Munich in 2024. The London-born playmaker has 41 goals and 46 assists through his first two seasons with the German giants. In that time, he established himself as a key player for France. He has only made 15 appearances for Les Bleus, but he will be a key player on the right wing for manager Didier Deschamps with his silky smooth dribbling and elegant left foot. Speaking of that incredible French attack… Age: 28National team appearances: 58Club team: Paris Saint-Germain (France) Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or as the best player in the world in 2025 after winning the Champions League with PSG. He played center forward for the French titans during that run but will likely find himself on the wing during the World Cup. Dembélé played six injury-riddled seasons with Barcelona before moving to PSG in 2023 and has thrived as the star since Kylian Mbappé moved to Real Madrid. This summer, Dembélé will feature alongside Mbappé and Olise to create one of the best attacking trios international soccer has ever seen. We’ll find out whether France can turn that collection of talent into another World Cup triumph. Age: 32National team appearances: 112Club team: Bayern Munich (Germany) Kane does not have the physical traits of Haaland. He is simply the most prolific goal-scorer in the world, though. The former Tottenham star just finished his third season with Bayern Munich and has 139 goals in 143 appearances. He also averaged 23.3 goals per season during his nine full-time campaigns for Spurs. Kane is England’s all-time-leading scorer with 78 goals, and he is 13 appearances shy of the all-time record for most appearances for the Three Lions. He consistently finds space in the opposition’s 18-yard box and usually makes teams pay when he does. England reached the semifinals in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2022. At 32 years old, this might be Kane’s last opportunity to lift the trophy and bring the World Cup back to England for the first time in 60 years. Age: 27National team appearances: 96Club team: Real Madrid (Spain) Mbappé has scored at least 39 goals in each of the last six seasons between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. His pace is what separates him from Kane, as the Frenchman has the ability to blow past any defender to create chances for himself. Mbappe’s coming-out party was in 2018, when he scored four goals (three in the knockout stage) en route to France’s World Cup triumph. Since then, though, he has not won a major trophy beyond Ligue 1 with PSG outside of the UEFA Nations League in 2021. Mbappé has been in the headlines recently as he ends a second straight trophy-less season with Real Madrid. He will captain France this summer, though, and is in a great position to lift the World Cup on July 19. Age: 18National team appearances: 25Club team: Barcelona (Spain) Over the past three years, Yamal has taken over global soccer. He made his Barcelona debut as a 15-year-old in May 2023 and made his first start right after turning 16. Since then, he has made more than 150 appearances for Barcelona and 30 for Spain. He turned 17 during Euro 2024, during which he powered La Roja to win the tournament. Yamal suffered a hamstring injury in late April and faces a fitness race to ensure he’s healthy for the World Cup. When he’s fit, the young phenom will be on the right wing wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19). The opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as well as the USA's opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET). Watch FIFA World Cup 2026: Stream all 104 games on FOX One. Start your free trial today.]]>
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