2026 FIFA World Cup: The Best and the Worst Team Performances

Images

Infographic summarizing World Cup history, including record attendances, top goalscorers, a map of 2026 host cities, and a timeline of past winners.

Andrés Iniesta of Spain celebrates with the FIFA World Cup trophy alongside his teammates after scoring the winning goal in Spain's victory over the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

Lionel Messi, wearing Argentina number 10 jersey, looks upward with his hands raised in prayer as he celebrates scoring his team second goal during a FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri.

Black and white image of Bobby Moore, captain of the England national football team, holding up the Jules Rimet Trophy as he is carried on the shoulders of his teammates after Englands victory over the West Germany national football team in the FIFA World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in London on July 30, 1966.

Animated gif of Kylian Mbappe in a blue France jersey kicking a soccer ball during a World Cup match, with a blurred stadium crowd in the background.

Erling Haaland of Norway runs toward the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Italy at San Siro Stadium in Milan.

Miroslav Klose lifts the World Cup trophy surrounded by jubilant German teammates, including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Benedikt Howedes, after winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Eusebio of Portugal in mid-stride controlling the ball during a 1966 World Cup match against Hungary, with Hungarian defenders and a packed stadium in the background.

Animated gif of Dennis Bergkamp in an orange Netherlands jersey scoring a goal for the Netherlands against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, kicking the ball past goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

Brazil's forward Ronaldo, wearing number 9, lifts the World Cup trophy above his head while celebrating with teammates after winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan.

2026 FIFA World Cup: The Best and the Worst Team Performances: Media

Images

Infographic summarizing World Cup history, including record attendances, top goalscorers, a map of 2026 host cities, and a timeline of past winners.

FIFA World Cup records

Explore this infographic to learn some facts about the men's World Cup. (Records...

Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

Andrés Iniesta of Spain celebrates with the FIFA World Cup trophy alongside his teammates after scoring the winning goal in Spain's victory over the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

Hero of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Spanish footballer Andrés Iniesta celebrating with the FIFA World Cup trophy alongside...

© Simon Bruty—Anychance/Getty Images

Lionel Messi, wearing Argentina number 10 jersey, looks upward with his hands raised in prayer as he celebrates scoring his team second goal during a FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri.

Lionel Messi at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring his second goal during the FIFA...

© Omar Vega/Getty Images

Black and white image of Bobby Moore, captain of the England national football team, holding up the Jules Rimet Trophy as he is carried on the shoulders of his teammates after Englands victory over the West Germany national football team in the FIFA World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in London on July 30, 1966.

Bobby Moore

English captain Bobby Moore holds the Jules Rimet trophy after England defeated West...

© Evening Standard—Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Animated gif of Kylian Mbappe in a blue France jersey kicking a soccer ball during a World Cup match, with a blurred stadium crowd in the background.

Kylian Mbappé's 2022 hat trick

France's Kylian Mbappé became the second player to score a hat trick in a FIFA World...

© Dan Mullan/Getty Images; Animation Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.

Erling Haaland of Norway runs toward the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Italy at San Siro Stadium in Milan.

Erling Haaland at a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland chasing the ball during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier...

© Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images—LightRocket/Getty Images

Miroslav Klose lifts the World Cup trophy surrounded by jubilant German teammates, including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Benedikt Howedes, after winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Klose lifting the 2014 World Cup trophy, surrounded by his teammates

Miroslav Klose of Germany lifting the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating...

© Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Eusebio of Portugal in mid-stride controlling the ball during a 1966 World Cup match against Hungary, with Hungarian defenders and a packed stadium in the background.

Eusébio at the 1966 FIFA World Cup

Portugal's Eusébio (center) in action during a 3–1 win against Hungary during the...

© Allsport—Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Animated gif of Dennis Bergkamp in an orange Netherlands jersey scoring a goal for the Netherlands against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, kicking the ball past goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

Bergkamp's masterpiece

Dutch forward Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Argentina during the 1998 FIFA World...

© Michael Steele—EMPICS/Getty Images; Animation Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.

Brazil's forward Ronaldo, wearing number 9, lifts the World Cup trophy above his head while celebrating with teammates after winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan.

Brazil, 2002 World Cup champions

Members of the Brazilian national team celebrating after defeating Germany 2–0 in...

Odd Andersen—AFP/Getty Images

Cape Verdes players and staff celebrate on the pitch after finishing as runners-up in Group H during the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Houston Stadium in Texas.

Cabo Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Members of the Cabo Verde football team celebrating their team's advancement to the...

© Michael Steele/Getty Images

Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrate on the field, Bounou kneeling with arms raised and Hakimi lying face down, after their World Cup quarterfinal victory.

Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Moroccan players Yassine Bounou (in blue) and Achraf Hakimi celebrating a victory...

© Wu Zhizhao—Visual China Group/Getty Images

Japan World Cup soccer team players in blue uniforms stand on the field applauding fans after a 2–2 draw, with a stadium crowd in the background.

Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Players of the Japanese football team applauding their fans after the 2–2 draw against...

© Maja Hitij—FIFA/Getty Images

Soccer player Raúl Jiménez of Mexico raises his fist and holds a ball while celebrating a goal during the CONCACAF Nations League match against Honduras.

Raúl Jiménez, 2026 FIFA World Cup

Mexican football player Raúl Jiménez celebrating after scoring his team's first goal...

© Hector Vivas/Getty Images