Best moments of the 2026 World Cup

The World Cup produced hundreds of spectacular moments and The Associated Press covered all 104 games over 39 days in the United States, Canada and Mexico from every angle.

GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT

Sidny Lopes Cabral stunned defending champions Argentina with a tying goal in extra time of their round of 32 match at Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 3. The Blue Sharks, who entered the tournament ranked 67th, trailed 2-1 in the 103rd minute when Cabral settled a long pass from Yannick Semedo near the left flank with his left foot. The 23-year-old, who plays in Turkey for Trabzonspor, cut past Alexis Mac Allister while playing the ball onto his right foot and from just inside the penalty area curled a shot past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and into the upper corner at the far post for his fourth goal in 14 international appearances. Argentina went on to win on an own goal.

UPSET OF THE TOURNAMENT

Eliminated in consecutive group stages following their fourth World Cup title in 2014, Germany clinched their group title with wins over Curaçao and Cote d’Ivoire before losing their first-round finale against Ecuador. Paraguay, who were in their first World Cup since 2010, began the tournament ranked 41st and advanced as a third-place team, opening with a 4-1 loss to the US, beating Turkey 1-0 and playing a 0-0 draw against Australia. Julio Enciso put Paraguay ahead in the 42nd minute of the round of 32 match at Foxborough, Massachusetts, on June 29 but Kai Havertz tied the score 12 minutes later. Germany, who began the World Cup ranked No. 10, appeared to go ahead on Jonathan Tah’s header of a corner kick in the 102nd minute but a video review concluded the goal should be disallowed because of a foul by Waldemar Anton on goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Germany won all four of their previous World Cup penalty kick shootouts, succeeding on 17 of 18 kicks — including 15 in a row. Havertz’s attempt on the opening kick was saved by Gill, who also batted away Nick Woltemade’s effort on Germany’s fourth kick. Tah skied Germany’s sixth kick over the crossbar, José Canale beat Manuel Neuer and Paraguay won the shootout 4-3 after the 1-1 draw, only to lose 1-0 to France in the round of 16.

BREAKOUT PLAYER

Pau Cubarsí, a 19-year-old Barcelona defender, played every minute of every match as Spain won their second title and first since 2010. He had 668 successful passes in 690 attempts, a 96.8 per cent rate that was the second best in the tournament among players with 400 or more attempts, just behind Norway’s Sander Berge at 96.9 per cent. Cubarsí’s total was second to teammate Rodri’s 747. Cubarsí’s 750 minutes tied teammate Marc Cucurella and Mac Allister for the tournament high among outfield players.

SAVE OF THE TOURNAMENT

Vozinha, Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, leapt to his left to slap away Lionel Messi’s quick free kick in the 73rd minute that was headed to the upper corner, keeping the score 1-1.

FAN BASE OF THE TOURNAMENT

Norway’s fans charmed fellow spectators and television viewers when they performed the Viking Ro, chanting “Ro!” while mimicking oarsmen in stadiums and even in the bleachers above the TKTS booth selling Broadway theatre tickets in New York’s Times Square. Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland led the row celebration on the field following wins. Scotland’s Tartan Army also left indelible memories, depleting Boston’s beer supply and taking an excursion to a baseball game at Fenway Park and in Miami.