This article originally appeared in The Beautiful Game by USdaily Sports, our daily newsletter focusing on everything related to the World Cup. While we bid farewell for now, we look forward to returning for the European domestic club season. Until next time!
Just like that, the 2026 World Cup has concluded. With 308 goals scored over 104 matches in 16 cities across three nations, Spain was crowned champion.
While the final might not have thrilled the neutral fans, it was appropriate that the top team of the tournament emerged victorious.
As supporters of La Roja around the globe celebrated the nation’s second title (Spanish editor’s note: my headache confirms this happened in North London), others took the time to reflect on an emotional, record-setting, and star-studded tournament.
Concerns about this World Cup had lingered for years. Would it be safe? Would the local population engage? Would it be a financial misstep? Although some critics were validated at various points, the 2026 edition can still be deemed a remarkable success.
The credit goes not to politicians or governing bodies, but rather to the millions of fans who gathered in North America to celebrate together. It’s also due to the superstars who showcased their talents and to the underdogs who exceeded expectations.
Therefore, in this final World Cup edition of our newsletter, it feels appropriate to highlight some of the most unforgettable moments.
The Main Thing: And the award goes to…
Prior to Spain claiming the main trophy, a number of individual accolades were presented at the conclusion of yesterday’s final.
Kylian Mbappé of France received the Golden Boot after netting 10 goals, making him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Pau Cubarsí from Spain was recognized as the best young player, Unai Simón earned the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, and midfielder Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player.
While those official acknowledgments have been made, we at The Beautiful Game have our own set of winners to celebrate. Consider this as USdaily’s version of the World Cup Oscars.
Some of you might disagree with certain choices, but that’s alright since I’m a bit fatigued.
Best Game
Unfortunately for fans of Spain, it was not the final match that stood out. However, we witnessed some truly incredible soccer matches over the past month.
One game that comes to mind is England’s incredible performance against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. With only 10 men, battling altitude and overwhelming home support, the Three Lions managed to hold on against the co-hosts to advance to the quarterfinals.
We also witnessed Cape Verde drawing with Uruguay, 2-2, and then the Blue Sharks pushing the defending champion Argentina into extra time in the Round of 32.
However, overall, the award for the best game goes to the Albiceleste’s thrilling 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16. It had it all: plenty of controversy, stunning goals, and a miraculous comeback led by Lionel Messi.
At least you managed to win something, Argentina fans…
Best Goal
This is often a challenging category to determine, but this year, it seems straightforward. The award for best goal goes to Sidny Lopes Cabral from Cape Verde for his spectacular strike against the Albiceleste during the knockout stages.
There are several reasons why this goal was so remarkable. To start, the shot itself was incredible. He first outmaneuvered his defender on the flank before cutting inside and curling his attempt into the top corner.
Additionally, consider the context. The goal came in extra time against Messi’s Argentina. Suddenly, Cape Verde fans started to believe in the impossible.
And then his celebration was unforgettable. Cabral was so ecstatic that he ran into the crowd in search of someone he recognized to share the moment with. This iconic scene will be remembered for a long time.
Biggest Upset
This category sparked some debate among the team. Not to dwell on Cape Verde, but few expected the small island nation to perform so well, making most of its results appear as upsets on paper.
Then there’s Curaçao, the smallest nation to compete in the tournament, which managed to secure a draw against Ecuador in the group stage.
After much discussion, however, I’m awarding this to Paraguay for defeating Germany in the Round of 32. While the current German squad has faced challenges, they certainly should have triumphed over Paraguay according to the statistics.
The South American side not only took the lead but also displayed resilience, allowing Germany only one goal in response. After fiercely defending that draw, the Albirroja triumphed over the European giants in penalties, a feat accomplished by very few.
Quote of the Day
A brief pause from the awards to reflect on the significance of Spain’s World Cup victory.
These are the sentiments shared by goalscorer Ferrán Torres, who netted the only goal in the final to secure victory for his nation.
Torres, 26, expressed that he felt the support of the entire Spanish population as he fired his extra-time shot into the net, and it could not have happened to a more deserving player.
Torres, a key player for Barcelona, had struggled throughout the tournament, missing numerous opportunities and getting benched after the match against Cape Verde. He stepped up when it mattered most, bringing joy to a nation that had nearly given up on him.
WATCH: Fans react to Spain winning the World Cup
If you’re still unsure about the significance of soccer to fans worldwide, just take a look at this.
Spanish fans flooded the streets of Madrid to celebrate their nation’s second World Cup triumph after defeating Argentina. USdaily en Español’s Pau Mosquera captured the excitement in the capital.
Awards continued
Biggest Controversy
Now, back to the awards, and unfortunately, there were several candidates for this category.
Even before the tournament began, there were numerous headlines. Initially, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was refused entry into the United States, resulting in his dream tournament ending before it commenced. Additionally, the Iranian national team faced poor treatment, having to change training facilities last minute and travel between Mexico and the US to play their matches.
However, the situation that caused the most outrage was the red card decision involving USA star Folarin Balogun. More notably, the fact that Donald Trump attempted to overturn the ruling.
This highlighted how those in power perceive the world. There was no justification for Trump to involve himself in such matters, and FIFA had even less reason to heed him.
This led to a disappointing conclusion for the US team, which had shown promise at times and inspired a new generation to embrace soccer.
Thus, there are no true winners in this category.
Biggest Star
Lastly, we must consider which players made the most significant impact. Several contenders stand out in this regard.
Naturally, Messi was phenomenal, showcasing ability that made him seem years younger. Then, of course, there’s Mbappé, who once again demonstrated why he might be the most influential player on the international stage – there’s something uniquely special about his performances at World Cups and European Championships.
We also need to recognize England’s Jude Bellingham, who was outstanding for the Three Lions, and Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha, who rose to fame overnight.
But after extensive discussion, I’m inclined to surrender to the internet memes and award this to Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian striker delivered on the pitch, which is the most important factor. He propelled his team to the quarterfinals, defeating five-time champions Brazil along the way while scoring crucial goals. However, it was also his vibrant personality that captivated fans globally, many of whom did not even watch the matches.
The Haaland memes and clips were ubiquitous. Events celebrating lookalikes sprouted worldwide, and people fell for the 25-year-old’s infectious enthusiasm for life.
“I’m quite happy with my life,” he stated after exiting the competition.
Lifetime Achievement
Well, one final category – because that’s what these types of award shows do, right?
It serves as an opportunity to recognize Lionel Messi for all he has achieved in soccer and to address the question on many minds: Is he retiring from international play?
Honestly, we don’t have an answer just yet. At 39, it’s evident he cannot physically compete with the best players for the duration of a match. However, he still displays moments of brilliance that make you wonder if he can continue playing.
The tears shed at the conclusion of the final indicate where his thoughts may lie. He has nothing left to prove and has achieved everything possible. It’s likely he will take some time for contemplation, but yes, there’s a chance that this could be the last time we see Messi in an Argentina jersey. Yet, we’ve said that before.
But don’t worry. The Argentine is still contracted with Inter Miami until 2028, so he will undoubtedly honor that and be back on the soccer pitch soon.
The Final Whistle: The Beautiful Game bids farewell… for now
As we conclude this newsletter for the World Cup, I want to share a few final thoughts. This tournament has provided an abundance of topics to discuss, analyze, and reflect upon, and I hope you found value in our daily updates.
We aim to return shortly after the world’s top domestic leagues resume, but more details will follow soon.
For now, we’re off to relax on a beach for a couple of weeks and reflect on what has been one of the most exciting summers of sports.
¡Adios!
The Trophy Lift: CNNers show their love for the World Cup
The final say belongs to CNNers from around the globe who tuned in to witness all the excitement. We hope you enjoyed the tournament as much as we did.
