The best goals of World Cup 2026 so far
The expanded tournament has already produced a record number of 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. 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 and Kylian Mbappe have once again reminded everyone why they belong among the game's greats, but they've been joined by breakout stars such as Bosnia's Alajbegovic, who has announced himself on the biggest stage in style.
Narrowing it down has been no easy task, but we've picked out the best goals of the tournament so far. With the knockout rounds 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.
Best World Cup goals of the Group stage
The groups have seen some cracking goals, with long range efforts seemingly being incredibly effective as pointed out by BBC pundit and former England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
The Trionda, the ball being used during this tournament, has been spotted by Hart as moving quicker in the air catching a lot of keepers out. You can check out his analysis below at the 8:33 mark, but it raises some interesting theories about Adidas's latest ball.
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 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.
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.
Daizen Maeda vs Sweden (Group F, 25 June)
Not every great goal has to come from 30 yards. Japan's opener against Sweden (as found at the 4:30 mark above) was a reminder that slick teamwork can be just as breathtaking.
The move started with Ritsu Doan exchanging a clever one-two with Ayase Ueda before threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Daizen Maeda. Timing his run to perfection, Maeda burst in behind the Swedish defence and calmly slotted beyond the advancing goalkeeper.
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.
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.
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.
Ismael Saibari vs Brazil (Group C, 13 June)
Few teams carve Brazil open with such ease, but Ismael Saibari did exactly that. Timing his run to perfection, the Morocco midfielder burst between the two centre-backs to latch onto a perfectly weighted through-ball before producing an ice-cool finish.
With Alisson rushing off his line, Saibari showed remarkable composure to lift the ball first time over the Brazilian goalkeeper and into the net.
Best World Cup goals of the Round of 32
The knockout rounds have already raised the bar. With the pressure cranked up and every mistake carrying the threat of elimination, the Round of 16 has produced plenty of goals worthy of a place on this list already.
Kylian Mbappe and Amad Diallo have both added stunning finishes to their World Cup highlight reels, although individual brilliance doesn't always guarantee progression.
For Diallo, even one of the tournament's best finishes has ended up as little more than a consolation prize, proving that at the business end of the World Cup, quality in front of goal only gets you so far.
Kaishū Sano vs Brazil (Round of 32, 29 June)
Scoring against Brazil is one thing. Doing it with this level of skill is something else entirely. Kaishū Sano gave Japan a dream start after producing one of the cleanest finishes of the tournament.
Driving through the heart of Brazil's defence, Sano refused to give up possession despite losing his footing on the edge of the area. As he tumbled to the deck, he somehow managed to fire a superb strike beyond the goalkeeper and into the net, giving Japan a shock 1-0 lead. Brazil eventually fought back to win, but Sano's combination of determination, balance and technique ensured his goal will be remembered long after the tournaments over.
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.
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.
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.
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 grabbing 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.
Skip the search — follow Shortlist on Google News to get our best lists, news, features and reviews at the top of your feeds!
