It’s been a few days since the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but it doesn’t seem like the discourse, comments, and even the online bashing will end any time soon. The World Cup, like any competition, has always had its obvious winners and losers, but we can’t forget the honorable mentions: the ones who have won the hearts of many, and the others who did the exact opposite.
Here are the real winners and losers of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Winner: Cape Verde
Among the 48 participating nations, Cape Verde was initially dismissed as a team that’s just happy to be there—but the team went on to have the biggest Cinderella story of the tournament.
Unfortunately, it came to an end against Argentina during the round of 32, but Cape Verde didn’t go down without a fight. Much of the team’s success is thanks to 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who proved that age is just a number by producing world-class heroic saves against much younger players.
Loser: Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla
While Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla never stepped foot on the pitch during the World Cup, her statements made social media headlines.
After Paraguay was eliminated by France, Senator Amarilla made racist comments against France’s captain, Kylian Mbappe, calling him “a colonized Cameroonian desperately trying to pass himself off as French” and “a brute who had not learned to write.”
Mbappe fired back on social media, pointedly telling the senator, “Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position.”
French prosecutors are now investigating the remarks made by Amarilla, who claimed a few days later that her Instagram had been hacked.
Winner: Kylian Mbappe
Speaking of Mbappe, who is now widely known online as “The Dictator,” he won the hearts of fans who continue to have so much fun with the meme.
It also helps that he had a stellar performance despite France’s elimination. He won the Golden Boot by scoring 10 goals, which makes him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals, beating Lionel Messi’s current record of 21 goals.
Despite not making it to the finals, he also had one of the classiest responses to losing. Instead of blaming their coach Didier Deschamps, Mbappe gave an emotional tribute and said that the squad “failed” to give their coach a more glorious conclusion to his distinguished career.
Loser: Breel Embolo
Not all athletes made a mark during this year’s World Cup for the best of reasons. Take Switzerland’s Breel Embolo, for example, who unfortunately will be remembered for the biggest dive of the World Cup.
Switzerland’s match against Argentina was fairly even at 1-1 until the incident in the 72nd minute of the game. Embolo had possession of the ball. Suddenly, without any contact from anyone, Embolo flailed himself forward, fell onto the ground, and rolled around as if he were in pain.
This led to him receiving his second yellow card for the game, earning a red card that sent him off the pitch. Embolo was noticeably crying as he left, and many believed he cost Switzerland the match.
Winner: Mexico
This year’s World Cup made history as the first tournament to have three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Mexico, in particular, appears to have done well as host. An Ecuador fan even told Reuters that Mexico was “the best host.”
“They made us feel at home. Not just Ecuadorians,” the fan explained in Spanish. “I think wherever in the world you’re from, Mexico makes you feel at home. There’s no doubt about that.”
Loser: USA
While Mexico received praise, the United States was on the receiving end of criticism, especially for its treatment toward the Iran national team amid the two countries’ ongoing war. In fact, Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei, called out the US, calling them “the host that wasn’t very good to us.”
As per the team, the talented young players did fairly well and were even an exciting team to look forward to. However, the US team courted controversy when striker Folarin Balogun was sent off with a red card during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. This would normally mean that he would not be allowed to play in the next match.
However, this was suspended, and he was allowed to play.
Winner: Norway
Making their first return to the tournament since 1998, Norway reached the quarterfinal before losing to England. Despite the loss, this was a feat the Norwegians can be proud of.
They were initially viewed as a team that only had star striker Erling Haaland and captain Martin Ødegaard, and not much else. But Norway’s exciting, unexpected, and entertaining run made them easy to root for and earned many new fans.
It wasn’t just the team that took the spotlight. The Norwegian fans also endeared themselves to the rest of the world by showcasing their love and support for their team with their Viking Row during and outside of games.
Loser: England
Just when it seemed like football was finally coming home, the English essentially screwed themselves over.
England was the first to score against Argentina. However, after the goal, questionable tactics from Thomas Tuchel saw the English stay and defend on their third of the field, a tactic known as “parking the bus,” for the rest of the game.
Argentina carried their onslaught on the English defense until they made a breakthrough—thanks to a long shot from outside the box from Enzo Fernandez. Seven minutes later, a brilliant cross from Messi resulted in a header goal by Lautaro Martinez in extra time, and England went on to lose the match.
Winner: Erling Haaland
You cannot talk about this year’s World Cup and not talk about Erling Haaland—arguably the biggest superstar of the tournament whose fame skyrocketed even more. The Norwegian star striker scored seven goals in five matches and carried Norway on his shoulders.
However, it was what he did off the pitch that turned him from a football star into a global personality. Haaland suddenly became the king of memes, ranging from beauty edits to his stuffed raccoon he brought home as a souvenir. He even leaves comments on fans’ funny memes about him.
Loser: Argentina
Argentina ended the 2026 World Cup in second place—a commendable achievement. However, by the end of it all, it seemed they became even bigger losers thanks to the cheating allegations and the antics that marred the final.
Controversial refereeing decisions throughout fueled conspiracies that FIFA had been favoring the team, turning them into the villains of the tournament. During the final, Enzo Fernández was sent off with a red card after receiving his second yellow for a reckless late challenge that sent Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí flying.
Now here’s where things got messy—pun intended. Shortly after, Messi spotted Spanish defender Marc Cucurella covering his mouth very briefly. Messi then tried to get the referee to give Cucurella a red card for the act, a move that has greatly disappointed the football community.
It didn’t end there. After the final whistle was blown, Argentine defender Nahuel Molina struck Spain’s captain, Rodri. Leandro Paredes was also seen attacking Spanish defender Eric García, which resulted in the confrontation escalating.
Winner: The fans
The World Cup may only happen every four years, but it always brings the world together to celebrate football. This year’s World Cup was one of the most entertaining and memorable ones in history, and it’s thanks to the fans.
From fans present in the stadiums to those who partied on the streets and those who woke up at 3 a.m. to join a watch party, it’s the support of fans that made the World Cup successful.
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