Kylian Mbappe, France and Lionel Messi
After the World Cup final

Kylian Mbappe officially won the World Cup Golden Boot after Messi failed to score in Argentina’s final defeat. Mbappe finished with 10 goals, becoming the first player since Gerd Muller in 1970 to hit double figures.

Mbappe moved ahead by scoring twice in France’s 6-4 bronze-match defeat by England. He also became the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals, one ahead of Messi, sealing another historic individual tournament.

Rodri, Spain, Unai Simon and Pau Cubarsi
After Sunday’s World Cup final

Rodri won the World Cup Golden Ball after captaining Spain to the title. Unai Simon claimed the Golden Glove, while 19-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi won the Young Player Award after playing every minute of the tournament.

Rodri started all eight Spain matches and controlled their midfield as they conceded just once all tournament. Simon kept a record six clean sheets, while Cubarsi formed a dominant partnership with Aymeric Laporte in Spain’s defence.

USWNT, Spain and U.S. Soccer
Monday

The United States women’s national team will host world No. 1 Spain in two October friendlies. The matches are scheduled for 10 October at Audi Field and 13 October at Subaru Park before USWNT begin World Cup qualifying.

Emma Hayes called the fixtures perfect tests before qualifying, with Spain available after securing direct entry to the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The meetings give the Olympic champions two rare matches against the current world champions.

Austria, Algeria, Iran, Riyad Mahrez and Sasa Kalajdzic.
In the final Group J World Cup match in Kansas City.

Austria and Algeria drew 3-3 in a dramatic finale that sent both teams into the knockout stage and eliminated Iran. Mahrez appeared to have won it for Algeria late, before Kalajdzic equalised almost immediately for Austria.

Austria finished second and will face Spain, while Algeria advanced as a third-placed team to meet Switzerland. Iran would have gone through if either side had won, making Kalajdzic’s stoppage-time header the decisive blow.

Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Vozinha and Argentina.
After Cape Verde’s final Group H match in Houston.

Cape Verde became the smallest nation by population to reach the men’s World Cup knockout stage after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. The debutants finished second in Group H, unbeaten, and will face defending champions Argentina in Miami.

Vozinha made key saves again as Cape Verde held firm, then Spain’s win over Uruguay confirmed their passage. Coach Bubista said the island nation had shown the world that a small country can still fight for huge goals.

Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.
In the final Group G World Cup matches.

Belgium topped Group G after beating New Zealand 5-1, while Egypt advanced after a tense 1-1 draw with Iran. Iran thought they had a stoppage-time winner, but Shoja Khalilzadeh’s goal was ruled out for offside.

Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers powered Belgium clear, while Egypt survived late chaos in Seattle. Iran hit the crossbar after the VAR decision and now wait on third-place qualification.

Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni and Argentina.
Before Argentina’s final Group J match against Jordan.

Lionel Messi will start on the bench for Argentina’s final group match against eliminated Jordan, with Lionel Scaloni confirming he will still get minutes. Argentina have already won Group J after two wins and Messi’s five goals at this tournament.

Scaloni said rotation rewards players who have trained hard but not featured, while keeping Messi active before the round of 32. Argentina face the Group H runners-up next, with Cape Verde viewed as a likely opponent.

The 2026 World Cup field.
Before the group stage has even finished.

The expanded 2026 World Cup has already produced 177 goals, setting a new tournament record before the knockout stage begins. The total reflects both the 48-team format and a high scoring rate of nearly three goals per game.

The Athletic noted that the tournament has already surpassed previous full-edition totals because 60 matches have been played. The scoring rate is also the highest seen since 1970, adding substance beyond simple expansion.

Japan, Sweden, Daizen Maeda and Anthony Elanga.
In the final Group F World Cup match.

Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in Arlington, sending both teams into the knockout stage. Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead before Anthony Elanga equalised, leaving Japan second in Group F and Sweden through as a third-placed side.

Japan will now face Brazil in Houston, while Sweden’s draw was enough to extend their campaign. Elanga later admitted he did not realise a point would be sufficient until after the final whistle.

Ivory Coast, Curacao, Nicolas Pepe and Yan Diomande.
Ivory Coast’s final Group E World Cup match in Philadelphia.

Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after beating Curacao 2-0. Nicolas Pepe scored twice, while Ecuador’s upset win over Germany ended Curacao’s hopes of squeezing through as a best third-placed side.

Yan Diomande created the opener before Pepe finished calmly, then Ibrahim Sangare split the defence for the second goal. Ivory Coast finished second in Group E and will face the Group I runners-up, likely France or Norway.