The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a spectacle that will go down in history! It had everything we needed and more, from stunning goals and unforgettable comebacks to emotional farewell performances and underdog stories. It was also the first World Cup in history with 48 teams and fans across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in a month-long celebration of soccer. Spain finished the tournament as world champions after an incredible final match against Argentina. But there were so many other moments that made this tournament the greatest we’ve ever seen. Keep reading for the best moments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ranked!

7. Norway's Viking Row Celebration

One of the most unexpected highlights of the tournament had nothing to do with a goal! Norway's “Viking Row” celebration became one of the biggest viral moments of the World Cup. Led by Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, the Norwegian players celebrated every victory by sitting in front of their supporters and rowing together like Vikings. Before long, fans across North America were copying it at stadiums, watch parties, and even New York City's Times Square. The celebration became so popular that even Spain's supporters joined in after their semifinal victory over France. Norway's historic run to the quarterfinals made the celebration even more iconic!

6. Vozinha Becoming a Household Name

Every World Cup has a hero, and in 2026 that hero was Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha! The 40-year-old player had one of the best performances of the tournament by making seven incredible saves to hold Spain to a scoreless draw. He became a worldwide sensation overnight, gaining millions of social media followers and fans around the world! His emotional story became even more memorable when his mom was able to attend one of Cape Verde's matches after her visa was fast-tracked. Cape Verde made history at the World Cup, reaching the knockout stage and pushing finalists Argentina to extra time. It was one of the greatest underdog stories in World Cup history, and with the nation having just over half a million people, they deserve all the recognition!

5. Canada’s Highest High & Lowest Low

One of the most heartbreaking moments of the world cup was also the moment of Canada’s biggest World Cup victory! After midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg against Qatar, the Canadian squad came together to pull off their best performance of the tournament. Already leading the match, they went on to score three more goals and took the opportunity to celebrate each one by making a tribute to their injured teammate. The final 6-0 score became Canada’s greatest World Cup win in history, but what fans will remember is how they showed unity as a team and respect for Koné being injured during one of the hardest moments of their tournament journey!

4. Lionel Messi’s Final World Cup

Whether you’re a die-hard Lionel Messi fan or not, witnessing his final World Cup performance was one of the greatest parts of the tournament! Many fans wondered whether the 2022 champions, Argentina, could make it to the end and Messi proved why his nickname is still the “greatest of all time” by performing a stunning hat trick in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria. He also carried on his winning streak when his two late assists helped Argentina defeat England to reach a consecutive World Cup final. His leadership truly inspired comeback after comeback throughout the tournament that had fans on the edge of their seats. Although his career ended with a heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the final match, his 2026 performance will be remembered for years to come!

3. Argentina's Dramatic Comebacks

Arguably, the most dramatic moments in the 2026 FIFA World Cup were created by Argentina! Their round of 16 match against Egypt appeared to be over when they were behind 2-0 in the second half. Instead, they scored three goals in just over 10 minutes to pull off one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history. Then they somehow did it again against England in the semifinals. With only minutes remaining, Argentina struck twice through Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez after two brilliant assists from Messi to secure their spot in another World Cup final. Even though they fell just short of winning the whole tournament, Argentina was behind some of the most exciting moments we’ve ever seen!

2. Cristiano Ronaldo Battles Luka Modrić

Next up, one of the most defining moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the Portugal vs. Croatia Round of 32 clash! It had everything soccer fans could ask for. From legendary players and drama to controversy and high stakes. Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, who are both former Real Madrid teammates and present-day icons, faced each other in what would become Modrić's final World Cup appearance and one of Ronaldo's last World Cup moments. Ronaldo scored his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match, while Gonçalo Ramos' dramatic stoppage-time header secured their victory. Croatia thought they had forced extra time with an equalizer, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside which led to some controversy. The emotional goodbye for one legend and the non-stop action made it one of the tournament's most memorable moments!

1. Spain Finally Returned to the Top

Finally, the best moment of the 2026 FIFA Wolrld Cup is a moment that was 16 years in the making! It was the moment that Spain became world champions once again. The powerful squad had one of the most impressive World Cup performances in history. Across eight matches, they conceded just one goal while dominating opponents with their unmatched possession and defense skills. Rodri was named Player of the Tournament, earning the Golden Boot award. The best Young Player of the Tournament was awarded to Pau Cubarsi. While the Golden Glove award was earned by Unai Simón after a remarkable performance. Spain also became the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles. They truly are the best team in the world right now!

Before we say goodbye to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, don’t forget to check out our wide selection of World Cup memorabilia at SoccerCards.ca. Whether you’re looking for official trading cards, sticker collections, or other merch, we’ve got everything you need to make this tournament something you’ll never forget!