Our 5 best games of FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end, with Spain emerging as the deserved winners after professionally taking care of business against defending champions Argentina.

It feels like yesterday when we were all set for the World Cup to begin as South Africa and Mexico walked out to open the proceedings for this one-of-a-kind tournament. 48 teams. 104 games. Some of the biggest names on show. The old generation walking into the sunset. The new guns strutting their stuff.

In the midst of all this, we were treated to some stunning football matches on the pitch, which took us to the very end of our fingernails and the edge of our seats.

Here, we present our pick of the five best games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

5. Netherlands 5–1 Sweden | Group Stage

Many would think that, given the nature of the scoreline, this should not be on the list. But take away the score and you’ll find that what transpired was arguably one of the most tactically breathtaking matches of this World Cup, one that so beautifully displayed the power of patterns and formations in the flow of the game.

Head coaches Ronald Koeman and Graham Potter manoeuvred their players in different formations, and that made for a fascinating match that saw the Swedes dominate the Dutch in terms of the shot count, but they could not deal with the physicality of the Oranje, who eventually ran up the score on them. A fun match nonetheless.

4. France 4–6 England | Bronze Final

The game that no one wanted to play became the game that no one wanted to end as France and England traded blows in a madcap game that saw the highest number of goals scored in this edition of the World Cup.

With both sides nursing the pain and heartbreak of defeat in the semi-finals, it was a given that many players from both teams who hadn’t got enough minutes would play this game. But there was still something at stake, with Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham all in the fray for the Golden Boot.

What followed was an absolutely chaotic game, with goals flying in left, right, and centre. England raced to a 4–0 lead by half-time, only for Mbappé to lead a comeback and make it 4–3 with a brace that took him to the top of the goalscorers’ list for both this edition and overall World Cup history. There was enough time for Bukayo Saka to get his hat-trick and Bellingham to add gloss to the scoreline as the Three Lions secured their best finish at the tournament since 1966.

3. Mexico 2–3 England | Round of 16

England went to the Azteca to face co-hosts Mexico with ghosts of their past echoing eerily in those halls. El Tri welcomed them with an impeccable record at their fortress, with a crowd behind them that was as fervent as it was intimidating.

What followed was arguably the Three Lions’ finest game in World Cup history, as they braved the altitude, the cauldron, and their own ghosts by holding on to a famous 3–2 win. Jude Bellingham starred with a brace, while Dan Burn and Djed Spence turned into cult heroes with their rearguard action towards the end, as ten-man England braved a relentless Mexican storm to seal their passage to the quarter-finals.

2. Argentina 3–2 Cabo Verde | Round of 32

Boy did Argentina slip and slog through the entirety of the knockout stages of this World Cup after navigating what was a fairly straightforward group-stage draw. And it started with the plucky upstarts in Cabo Verde.

Not many gave the tiny African nation a chance against the defending champions, but they did not get the memo as they went band for band against Argentina and had a memorable game that almost became legendary.

Leo Messi gave Argentina the lead, but it evaporated in the second half as Deroy Duarte equalised with a well-taken strike. Vozinha had another magnificent game between the sticks as he kept out efforts from Messi, Enzo Fernández, and Co. with some top-drawer saves as the game went to extra time. Lisandro Martínez then gave his side the lead before Sidney Lopes Cabral scored arguably the goal of the tournament to once again shock the Argentines.

Then, just when it felt like the game would inevitably go to penalties, Argentina took the lead for the third time, this time through an own goal by Diney. It took two stunning saves from Emi Martínez at the death to keep the score at 3–2, helping Argentina stave off what would have been an astounding and memorable fightback by Cabo Verde.

1. Argentina 3–2 Egypt | Round of 16

The game of the tournament has to be this one, where action, drama, and emotions all flared in an all-time World Cup classic as Argentina faced Egypt in Atlanta, Georgia.

Egypt took the lead in stunning fashion before Argentina were awarded a penalty that was stupendously saved by Egypt keeper Mostafa Shobeir. He was called to action many times and once again stunningly kept out Julián Alvarez to keep the score at 1–0 at half-time.

Egypt thought that they had a second goal, only for it to be controversially ruled out for a foul in the build-up, which prompted a lot of dismay from the Egypt camp. However, they were not to be denied again as Mostafa Ziko doubled their lead and took them to the cusp of unprecedented glory.

However, Leo Messi took matters into his own hands to start the comeback, first turning provider for Cristian Romero to make it 2–1, then scoring himself with a sumptuous half-volley. Just when it seemed like extra time beckoned, Lautaro Martínez put a ball deep into the Egyptian box with the hope that someone would get to the end of it, and Enzo Fernández scored the winner, taking his side to the quarter-finals and breaking Egyptian hearts, which prompted a rather strong reaction from Ziko as well as the Egypt head coach.