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Spain are the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday to win their second World Cup title, according to FIFA's official tournament report. The month-long tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada produced some of the finest individual goals in recent World Cup history, from a substitute's title-winning strike to a 39-year-old legend rewriting the record books. Below is the list of 7 best goals of the World Cup, ranked by technical execution, difficulty, and significance to the match. So, without further ado, here are the FIFA World Cup 2026 best goals by icons like Lionel Messi, Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ferran Torres, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and more.
Messi opened his sixth World Cup in style, scoring all three goals in Argentina's win over Algeria in Kansas City. He broke the deadlock with a left footed strike from distance, doubled the lead with a composed finish, then completed his first ever World Cup hat-trick with a curling shot from the edge of the box that dipped inside the post, according to Sky Sports and FIFA's official match report. The treble, in his 200th appearance for Argentina, drew him level with Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, a mark Messi would go on to break later in the tournament.
Stage: Group Stage (opening match)
Match score: Argentina 3-0 Algeria
With Argentina down to 10 men following Enzo Fernandez's red card, Spain worked the ball from Lamine Yamal to Pedro Porro, whose right footed cross almost drifted out of play behind the far post. Substitute Nico Williams headed it back across goal, and fellow substitute Ferran Torres met it first time with his left foot, driving the ball beyond a couple of defenders and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. It was Torres's only goal of the entire tournament, but it delivered Spain their second World Cup title.
Stage: Final
Match score: Spain 1-0 Argentina (after extra time)
In a wild ten goal thriller in Miami, Mbappe struck twice to finish as the tournament's outright top scorer. His second goal, a superb finish set up by a one-two with Michael Olise, made him the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 22 career goals, one ahead of Lionel Messi, according to ESPN. France went on to lose the match 6-4, but Mbappe's night also confirmed his second Golden Boot with 10 goals.
Stage: Third-Place Play-Off
Match score: England 6-4 France
Haaland had already headed Norway in front in the 79th minute when he produced the standout moment of the round. He got the ball at the edge of Brazil's box, controlled it with one superb touch, set himself for a second, and the fired it low with a powerful drive into the corner past goalkeeper Alisson, according to FIFA. The strike was voted the best goal of the Round of 16 in FIFA's official Goal of the Tournament poll and sent five time champions Brazil out of the competition.
Stage: Round of 16
Match score: Norway 2-1 Brazil
Jude Bellingham is not new to controversy having generated plenty at his club Real Madrid. However, at the FIFA World Cup 2026, he was on his best behaviour and let his football do all the talking. He did slap an Argentine player on the back of his head though, but that was after the match. Bellingham has become the first midfielder to score seven goals at a single World Cup. He produced the decisive moment of a ten goal classic. Picking up the ball near midfield, drove straight through France's defense before slipping past another inside the penalty area, and finished with a right footed strike to seal England's third place finish.
Stage: Third-Place Play-Off
Match score: England 6-4 France
After opening the scoring from the penalty spot, Kane doubled England's lead by rising to meet a Declan Rice corner with a powerful header past Croatia's goalkeeper. The goal moved Kane level with Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading World Cup scorer on 10 goals, a tally he would go on to surpass later in the tournament.
Stage: Group Stage
Match score: England 4-2 Croatia
Dembele announced his tournament with one of the fastest hat-tricks in World Cup history, completing his treble inside the first 32 minutes of France's final group match. He opened the scoring after Mbappe released him down the right flank, cutting inside past his marker before firing across the goalkeeper and into the goal.
Stage: Group Stage
Match score: France 4-1 Norway