Our 5 favorite 2026 World Cup moments, from Argentina’s comebacks to USA chemistry

Norway thrashing Brazil, England knocking out Mexico, Lionel Messi’s continued excellence, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s meteoric rise, an incredible Golden Boot run and star-studded semi-finals – the 2026 World Cup delivered some incredible moments and it’s hard to pick a favourite.

There were so many exciting and outrageous matches and plenty of fun off the field, FOX Sports ranked the 50 best moments.

But we would also like to weigh in. We’ve covered the biggest World Cup in history from so many angles, but these are our favorite moments from the tournament. And we are sure that we will not forget them in the near future.

Under normal circumstances, the game would be over. England were hanging on for dear life at that point, for sure. But the Three Lions still led 1-0. They were still five minutes of normal time away from the World Cup final – their first in 60 years. Most opponents just don’t come back from it. But Argentina is not normal. Lionel Messi certainly isn’t. So when Messi & Co. knocked on the door, what happened next felt almost preordained.

First, Messi set up Enzo Fernández’s equaliser. Then the 39-year-old GOAT found Lauturo Martinez at the back post for La Albiceleste’s stoppage-time winner. Sitting in the press box at the Atlanta Stadium behind the England goal, I had a perfect view of both goals. And I still can’t believe what I saw. — Doug McIntyre

Going with the American men here, which can be controversial. The expectation, of course, was for this team to get past the round of 16 and into the quarter-finals, and their game against Belgium was a dud compared to their previous games. It was challenging for the group to mentally get past the red card debacle.

But taking a step back, I don’t remember a time covering the Americans where they all seemed so loose. It was clear every day at training that the boys enjoyed themselves together and this was reflected in their performances over four games. Even Christian Pulisic, who is a bit more reserved with his emotions, seemed happy and smiled a lot. USA fans really rallied behind this team and the stadiums were moving in LA, Seattle and Santa Clara. It was fun covering their run. — Sheet Litman

Erling Haaland, who ends Brazil’s World Cup, must be at the top. Norway’s round of 16 victory was the result that made me lean back in my chair. This was the country’s first World Cup in 28 years, facing a Brazilian side that Carlo Ancelotti was hired specifically to fix, and for most of the afternoon the Seleçao had the better chances. Then Haaland got up for a header, and a few minutes later hammered a left-footed shot from outside the box that no keeper alive stopped.

Two touches, two goals, seven for the tournament. Norway had never reached a World Cup quarter-final. Brazil hadn’t gone out this early since 1990. Sport’s most decorated nation, undone by a country of just more than 5 million people and an unstoppable striker. These are the underdog stories that entire fanbases rally around.

Oh, and Haaland has also won social media during his time here in North America. His star has never been greater. – Matteo Bonetti

For me, I’ll go with Jude Bellingham’s World Championship. He entered it with many critics, especially many were from the British media, which is not so surprising as I have known this trend all my life and career. But in the end, this young man proved once again just how special he is, helping the Three Lions to a third-place finish, their best record since 1966 and the highest World Cup finish on foreign soil.

Don’t forget: He became the highest midfield scorer in the history of a single tournament, as well as the top English male scorer in a tournament. Only Peru’s Teófilo Nene Cubillas has more World Cup goals in midfield than Bellingham. Oh, and his solo effort against France? A piece of art. — Luis Miguel Echegaray

The finish to Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain was incredible, and with what we know now, it’s even more impressive. The small island nation off the coast of Africa has a population of around 500,000 and has very little story in the game. In one of the viral stories surrounding that team, left back Roberto “Pico” Lopes was recruited when the national team’s head coach discovered him through Linkedin.

But 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha’s performance and the images of him after that match will stick with many people for a long time. Spain won seven of their eight matches at this World Cup. It won all seven of its matches at Euro 2024. The only blemish on Spain’s record in its 15 matches across the last two major tournaments came at the hands of Cape Verde. There was some debate before this tournament about whether a 48-team World Cup would work. Cape Verde helped make a strong case to support the expanded tournament. —Brian Sciaretta