The 14 best goals of World Cup 2026
The expanded tournament delivered plenty of moments and goals
The expanded FIFA World Cup has delivered exactly what fans were hoping for: goals, goals and even more goals.
The group stage alone produced a record-breaking 215 goals across 72 matches, smashing the previous tournament record and giving supporters no shortage of moments to replay or discuss with their pals at the pub. Rockets from 30 yards, outrageous solo runs, pinpoint free-kicks and last-gasp screamers have all made the cut, with football's biggest stars rubbing shoulders alongside the tournament's surprise packages.
Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé battled it out for the Golden Boot with Mbappé finally clinching it in the last round thanks to a couple of goals in the 6-4 loss to England, where the Three Lions secured the Bronze medal. The greats of the tournament were joined by plenty of relative unknowns announcing themselves on the biggest stage as Spain won the tournament for a second time.
Narrowing it down has been no easy task, but we've picked out the best goals of the tournament. With the semi-finals only just beginning, expect this list to change.
We'll be updating our rankings after every round all the way through to the World Cup final on the 19th of July, so don't be surprised if a few more worldies force their way into the conversation.
14. Lionel Messi vs Algeria (Group J, 16 June)
Some players make the extraordinary look routine, and Lionel Messi did it again against Algeria. Collecting the ball on the half-turn just outside the penalty area, the Argentina captain took a couple of quick strides before unleashing one of his trademark left-footed efforts.
The shot bent away from Luca Zidane with the pace and whip that has defined so many of Messi's greatest goals, nestling into the corner before the goalkeeper could get close. At 39, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is still capable of producing moments that few others can, and this was yet another reminder that class really is permanent.
13. Harry Kane vs DR Congo (Round of 32, 1 July)
England looked to be losing their grip on a tricky Round of 32 tie until Harry Kane reminded everyone why he's one of the game's great finishers. Receiving the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area, the England captain spun in one fluid movement before unleashing a ferocious strike.
The shot screamed into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper grasping the air and sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory over a stubborn DR Congo side. It was a goal that arrived when England needed it most, combining Kane's trademark composure with sheer power to send the Three Lions into the last 16 in spectacular fashion.
12. Antonio Nusa vs Ivory Coast (Round of 32, 30 June)
Antonio Nusa has made a habit of cutting in from the left, but that didn't make his finish against Ivory Coast any easier to stop. Collecting Martin Ødegaard's pass out wide, the Norway winger drove directly at two defenders before shifting the ball onto his right foot.
What came next was pure class. Nusa curled a pinpoint effort beyond the goalkeeper and just inside the far post, leaving everyone watching with the feeling it was in the moment it left his boot. It was a finish full of confidence and technique, lighting up one of the standout ties of the Round of 32 and proving why the 21-year-old is regarded as one of Europe's brightest attacking talents.
11. Kevin Pina vs Uruguay (Group H, 21 June)
Cape Verde had never scored at a World Cup before Kevin Pina stepped up, and he made sure the moment would live long in the memory. Standing more than 30 yards from the goal, the midfielder spotted a gap in Uruguay's wall and drilled a fierce, low free-kick through it. The ball skipped off the turf and beyond the dive of Fernando Muslera before crashing into the bottom corner.
It was a goal worthy of any tournament, and can be seen at the 1:20 mark in the video above, but its significance made it even sweeter. Not only did it secure a famous 1-0 win, but it also went down as the first World Cup final goal in Cape Verde's history.
10. Amad Diallo vs Norway (Round of 32, 30 June)
Amad Diallo has been one of the tournament's standout super-subs, and his equaliser against Norway was packed with quality from start to finish. Exchanging a slick one-two with Nicolas Pépé, the Manchester United winger burst through on goal with only Ørjan Nyland left to beat.
Just as it looked like the chance might get away from him, Diallo produced a wonderfully delicate touch to shift the ball back onto his favoured left foot before dinking it into the far corner. It was a finish that combined quick thinking with outstanding technique, even if it ultimately wasn't enough to keep Ivory Coast's World Cup dream alive.
9. Eldor Shomurodov vs DR Congo (Group K, 28 June)
Uzbekistan's maiden World Cup campaign may have come to an end in the group stage, but it still produced one of the tournament's classiest finishes (at the 45-second point above). With the White Wolves searching for a memorable moment, captain Eldor Shomurodov delivered exactly that.
Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, the experienced forward produced a perfectly judged lob that sailed through the air before dropping into the net. It was a finish that demanded both vision and flawless execution, providing the standout moment of Uzbekistan's historic first appearance at the World Cup.
8. Kylian Mbappé vs Morocco (Quarter finals, 9 July)
Kylian Mbappé at a World Cup may be as good as it gets when watching football. There's no doubt he's elite, but when he pulls on the France shirt at a World Cup, he finds another gear, and his goal against Morocco in a 2-0 win proves it.
The game was scoreless up until a moment of magic in the 60th minute, when Mbappé found the net from the edge of the box by bending the ball around a defender before beating one of the tournament's best keepers, Bono.
7. Wilson Isidor vs Morocco (Group C, 24 June)
Some goals leave goalkeepers flapping, and Wilson Isidor's effort, in the third minute of the video above against Morocco, was one of them. Collecting the ball just outside the area, the Haiti forward unleashed an unstoppable drive that rocketed across the goal and into the top corner.
Yassine Bounou barely had time to react as the strike flew past him, with its combination of pace, power and pinpoint accuracy making it one of the cleanest hits of the tournament so far.
6. Erling Haaland vs Brazil (Round Of 16, 5 July)
Haaland scored two goals as Norway knocked out Brazil in a huge win for the Norwegians. It was his second goal that caught the eye, though, after his first was a trademark header we've come to expect.
His second goal was special, he picked up the ball just outside the box and, from a standing start, lasered the ball into the bottom corner, sealing Brazil's fate and securing a quarter-final for his nation on their long-awaited return to the tournament.
5. Kylian Mbappé vs Sweden (Round of 32, 30 June)
Kylian Mbappé has made a career out of embarrassing defenders, and Sweden striker Viktor Gyökeres became the latest victim. Isolated one-on-one inside the penalty area, the France captain teased his marker with a trademark stepover before bursting past him in a flash.
With the hard work done, Mbappé still had plenty to do, but the finish was as composed as you'd expect. He rifled his shot beyond the goalkeeper to give France the lead, adding another spectacular strike to his growing World Cup collection.
4. Enzo Fernandez vs England (Semi final, 15 July)
After England went 1-0 against Argentina, England sank into themselves, opting to defend and inviting long shots and crosses for the last half an hour.
That's exactly what Argentina did, with Enzo Fernandez striking the ball cleanly from range to equalise, making it only a matter of time before Argentina got the winner to secure their place in the final. Enzo went on to get a red card in the final before Argentina ultimately lost to Spain in extra time.
3. Kerim Alajbegovic vs Qatar (Group B, 24 June)
If this tournament has produced a breakout star, Kerim Alajbegovic has every right to be in the conversation. Still only 18, the Bosnia and Herzegovina youngster produced a moment of brilliance that mixed composure with skill.
Picking the ball up on the edge of the box, Alajbegovic danced past two Qatar defenders with quick feet before unleashing a thunderous strike that flew beyond the goalkeeper and into the top corner. It was the sort of goal that announced him to the world, combining fearless dribbling with a finish that gave the keeper absolutely no chance.
2. Julián Alvarez vs Switzerland (Quarter finals, 12 July)
Argentina were once again taken to extra time against the Swiss, but in the 112th minute, Alvarez found the back of the net with a long-range screamer.
They eventually went on to win 3-1, but it was the second goal that will be remembered for not only scoring one of the goals of the tournament but also getting Argentina to successive World Cup semi-finals.
1. Sidny Cabral vs Argentina (Round of 32, 3 July)
Some goals get you out of your seat; others are so good they leave you completely speechless and unable to react. This screamer from Cabral is the latter. Cabral, a right back putting in a shift at left back, cut in from the left onto his strong foot and hit the ball as sweetly as you'll ever see, beating Martinez in the process and helping Cape Verde draw level with current champions Argentina.
Unfortunately, Argentina managed to overcome Cape Verde in the second half of extra time, but it doesn't take away from quite how special this goal was. It's hard to see any other goal matching the quality and occasion of this one during the tournament, and it was the perfect way for the tournament's surprise package to duck out in style.
