Vozinha's tears, Vikings, and Spain's success: The images that defined the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup is now consigned to the history books but the images and memories of the tournament will last.

From Vozinha's tears, toSpain's supremacy, here are some of the images that defined the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Vozinha's tears as Cape Verde hold Spain

A result, and moment, that turned Vozinha into an overnight sensation. Rarely has the power of the World Cup been more evident than Vozinha's emergence as a cult hero, following Cape Verde's goalless draw with Spain in their opening fixture.

The tournament debutants, the third-smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup, battled to a draw with the European champions in one of the World Cup's greatest-ever shocks.

Their 40-year-old goalkeeper, a free agent after his release as Portuguese second-tier side Chaves, was the hero, with a string of saves to repel La Roja.

At full-time, the veteran broke down in tears and proudly draped himself in the Cape Verdean flag. The result? The attention of the world and asocial media following that is now nearing 30million people.

Norway's Viking row

Norway made noise on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, as a talented generation reached the quarter-finals.

Off the pitch, their fans made their presence felt, as the Vikings invaded North America. Their row celebration is one of the indelible images of the 2026 tournament.

I'm still standin' better than I ever did

DR Congo superfan Kuka Muladinga earned prominence for his statue stance at AFCON, a nod to the country's first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba.

His static support was one of the most recognisable images of the tournament's early stages.

Lamine Yamal's little brother

Lamine Yamal's three-year-old brother, Keyne, has captured the hearts of millions of people at this year's World Cup.

There's been pure passion from Kenya when cheering on his superstar sibling at stadiums across North America.

Vamos!

Germany lose spot-kick aura

Germany were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup on penalties by Paraguay, the biggest upset of the knockout rounds.

Not only was the result unbelievable, but the manner of it. Germany had not lost a penalty shootout for 50 years, winning six straight at major tournaments. They rarely ever even missed.

Between 1982 and 2016, Germany never missed a single effort in a shootout, a run of 22 successive spot-kicks.

Their legendary aura was shattered as the South Americans stunned the four-time world champions.

Belgium troll Trump

It wouldn't have been an American World Cup with some sort of controversy involving the president.

Donald Trump's intervention to persuade FIFA to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card was a stain on the tournament, but one that fortunately had little bearing on events.

Belgium blitzed the co-hosts to dump the USA out, and their players could not resist a dig at the president in their celebrations...

England embrace Wonderwall on route to final four

You don't have to go far inEngland to find Wonderwall playing somewhere, with the Oasis anthem an iconic classic. The Manchester band's song became the soundtrack to England's campaign in North America, with each victory followed by a rendition between squad and supporters.

I said maybe...

Harry Kane or Minnie Mouse?

Bless,Harry Kane.

Fresh from captaining England to one of his country's most famous World Cup wins at the Azteca Stadium, the Bayern Munich forward's post-match interview turned into a hilariously hoarse affair.

Ferran fires Spain to success

In a tournament where superstars shone, it was perhaps right that the best collective claimed the trophy. Spain stuttered in their opener against Cape Verde, but grew and grew as the tournament progressed.

La Roja made light work of France in the semi-finals, before overcoming a stubbornArgentina in extra-time after dominating the final.

Spain's success was eerily similar to their maiden 2010 World Cup win, recovering from a first fixture hiccup to reach the final with a resolute defensive record, before edging out their opposition in extra time.

Another golden generation is upon us.