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Winning the World Cup brings many rewards for players... but receiving your own body weight in tomatoes is surely one of the more unusual. That is what Spain midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were presented with when they returned to their hometown after being part of the Spain squad that triumphed in North America. The pair come from Los Palacios y Villafranca - a town to the south of Seville that has a population lower than 40,000 - and returned there on Wednesday for an official reception at the town hall. Paris St-Germain's Ruiz, who started the final against Argentina, and Barcelona's Gavi wore their gold medals as they were greeted by Los Palacios y Villafranca officials and a large crowd. As part of the occasion to honour their achievement, they both stepped on to weighing scales to establish the quantity of tomatoes they would each be given. Ruiz is to receive 85kg and Gavi 68.5kg in a tradition that local officials say "has become a hallmark of the municipality for honouring its great athletes". Former Spain winger Jesus Navas also attended as he was the first player from Los Palacios y Villafranca to win the World Cup, when he did so in 2010. Navas, the former Manchester City forward, and Ruiz also received the gift of tomatoes after Spain won Euro 2024. The town's sports pavilion is named after Navas and Ruiz and Gavi will now have football fields renamed after them as a tribute to their achievements. "In addition, the town hall will promote the construction of a monument dedicated to the three champions from Los Palacios," said a town council statement., external "In this way, the city council wants to pay permanent tribute to three athletes who represent the pride of an entire town and who, with their sporting and human trajectory, have become role models for several generations of children and young people." Paredes should not be suspended - Spain's Gavi

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Spain midfielder Gavi does not believe Argentina's Leandro Paredes should be suspended for his part in the confrontation following the World Cup final. Argentina players Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada plus assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved in the fracas on the pitch as Spain celebrated their 1-0 win. Paredes seemed to push Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene but was forced to the ground by Almada. Paredes pushed the Barcelona midfielder to the turf by putting his hand in the Spaniard's face. "I don't think [Paredes] should be suspended," Gavi told El Partidazo de COPE, external. "I understand it's not a good image for children but I think there's also that side to football, which is a bit more physical, more aggressive. "The most logical thing would have been to send him off during the match and that's it. In the end, I think it's all football and it has to be that way." "When the match ended, I saw a scuffle in the middle of the pitch and I went over to stop it from escalating, because that's not who we are," Ayala told Capital Radio in Valencia. "I take responsibility for what I did. My intention was simply to go and separate them, nothing more." It was incorrectly reported on Fifa's commentator information system that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for pushing Garcia by the throat. Paredes' red card was deleted on the system shortly afterwards and Fifa has confirmed to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action was taken at the time. Argentina's Enzo Fernandez was dismissed during the final, receiving a second yellow card in second-half added time.

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Midfielder Enzo Fernandez has claimed Argentina represented their nation "in the best possible way" during the World Cup, despite ugly scenes during and after their final loss to Spain. Fernandez was sent off late in normal time for two yellow cards and Spain won 1-0 after extra time on Sunday in New Jersey. His first booking was for showing dissent towards Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic and Fernandez was later dismissed for catching Pau Cubarsi with a challenge that sent the defender cartwheeling in the air. But, in a statement on social media, the Chelsea midfielder did not mention the red card and said: "As time goes by, you realise there is something much bigger than just a result. "For years, this group has represented the team in the best possible way. It teaches that competing isn't just about winning; it's about giving your all for the jersey and never giving up. "It has been a privilege to be part of a group that always stepped up, competed at the highest level, and defended these colours with pride, humility, and commitment." Keeper Martinez may 'step aside' from Argentina Fifa's disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened and any player or coach involved could face suspension, while the Argentine Football Association may also be fined. Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved, with Paredes pushing Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat. Spain's Gavi tried to intervene, but was forced to the ground by Almada, before Paredes pushed Gavi to the turf by putting his hand in the Spaniard's face. Ayala then looked to be holding Garcia around the throat, before appearing to strike Spain midfielder Dani Olmo. While the match ended with ugly scenes broadcast around the world, questions remain over what happened behind closed doors prior to kick-off. There has been widespread speculation on social media about what was said in the Argentina dressing room before the game, including whether Lionel Messi informed his team-mates that the final would be his last match for the national side. It comes after Argentine television company RLC Noticias posted footage appearing to show Messi urging his team-mates to stay calm on their walk to the tunnel - and "forget about everything else". In the footage, which has not been verified by the BBC, Messi is seen saying: "Let's go, boys, [let's keep] calm people, calm. The main thing is for us to remain calm, boys, that we remain calm. "Let's just concentrate on playing, nothing else - calm, OK? Forget everything else. "Let's just play, let's just concentrate on playing. Let's go." The actions of the Argentina players on the pitch were heavily criticised by former England internationals. Ex-England captain Alan Shearer said: "Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone's face. He went for them. There is no place or space for that. "We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible." Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart added: "The game's done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened. Disgusting behaviour." Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni attempted to calm the situation down in his post-match interview. He said: "We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose. "We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn't mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here." Argentina, the World Cup winners in 1978, 1986 and 2022, won their first seven matches in North America, beating Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England before losing to Spain. Against Egypt, Argentina were 2-0 down before scoring three late goals to win and in the semi-final with England, the Three Lions led 1-0 until the 85th minute before goals from Fernandez and a Lautaro Martinez header gave them a 2-1 win. Several media outlets in Argentina have suggested the final could be Scaloni's last in charge and called it the end of an era, with talisman Lionel Messi, in tears at the end, unlikely to play at another World Cup. "The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things," Messi wrote on social media. However, the team were still greeted by thousands of Argentina fans with an open-top bus parade through the streets of Buenos Aires. Scaloni and 16 of his 26 players returned to the country and were welcomed by a red carpet and military band at Ezeiza International Airport. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who made 11 saves during the final, was among the players in Argentina, but Messi was one of those who did not make the trip, instead returning to Miami where he plays club football for Inter Miami. Keeper Martinez may 'step aside' from Argentina When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

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Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez says he is considering whether it is "time to step aside" from international football after his side's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. The 33-year-old has won 67 caps for his country and played every minute of Argentina's eight World Cup games, keeping two clean sheets and conceding eight goals. He was a World Cup winner in 2022, also claiming the golden glove award as the tournament's outstanding goalkeeper. "I dreamt we'd win it again, I dreamt of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more," Martinez wrote in a post on Instagram., external "The truth is, the pain is hard to explain. There are many things to reflect on and how to move forward, and if it's time to step aside. "I'm so sorry, I truly tried my best to help my country and my team-mates." Martinez won the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world's best goalkeeper at the Ballon d'Or awards, in 2023 and 2024. He has played for Aston Villa since 2020 and has a contract until 2029, but has been linked to a move to Italian side Juventus this summer. Fernandez defends Argentina as Messi questions remain When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

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In an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, external, the head of the Spanish league also criticised World Cup hydration breaks, the final's lengthy half-time interval, the postponement of a suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun, and the future possibility of a 64-team summer tournament. When asked if Infantino should quit, Tebas said: "In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up." However, he stated that the 56-year-old has the support of national federations, and claimed Fifa's election system is "rotten at its core". "There's no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose," Tebas said. "He shouldn't stay, but the current state of affairs means he won't leave." The head of Spain's top flight was in the US to see his country win the 2026 World Cup. "These past few days here in America, I've heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he's doing," Tebas said. "They say it, but then they do nothing. I don't know what's worse, the silence or the complicity, because those who stay silent are perfectly aware of the damage football is suffering." Infantino is expected to be re-elected for a fourth term at Fifa's March congress, although Tebas believes Infantino could have been brought down as a consequence of his involvement in the case around Balogun. The 25-year-old US player escaped a suspension for his side's last-16 tie with Belgium following an intervention from US President Donald Trump. "The suspension of the American player's ban was absolutely serious. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, because otherwise a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job," Tebas said. "Since Belgium won, they managed to bury the matter. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg." European football's governing body Uefa criticised Fifa's decision at the time, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable", and the decision was a factor in the organisation's president Aleksander Ceferin not attending the World Cup final. Infantino opened the door to a 64-team global tournament during this year's event, but Tebas argued that "not everything can revolve around the World Cup". "Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry isn't just the World Cup," Tebas said. "It's the national competitions that sustain this sport. They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and involves a minority of players. "Are the best players there? Clearly, but they are also in our leagues. We need fewer international matches and more protection for national football, at all levels. They don't realise they are making irresponsible decisions." The governing body said they were brought in as a commitment to player welfare, but critics have pointed to broadcasters using the breaks as a way to cash in with commercials. Meanwhile pop music giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber were among the acts to perform in the World Cup final half-time show, which extended the usual 15-minute half-time break to 27 minutes 22 seconds. "Fifa arranges things as it pleases, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football," said Tebas. "So, if they need a 27-minute half-time break, they'll have it. "Hydration breaks are a lie. We have them in La Liga, but only when it's genuinely hot. "Here, the pitches in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta had air conditioning; I had to put on a jumper in the stands. It was a lie, a break for advertising. "It's proof that we are governed by an institution that does and decides what it wants, when it wants, following only its own interests without considering the rest of football. And in many cases, it acts to the detriment of football." BBC Sport has contacted Fifa for comment. The financial winners and losers from the World Cup Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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255 Comments "Thanks world, We'll take it from here." That's the message from Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min, David Beckham and dozens of Major League Soccer players in an advertising campaign urging new football fans created by the World Cup to check out MLS. The slick film showcases World Cup stars who play in the US top flight, inviting fans to join them as the regular season resumes. The league is even offering free tickets to new fans. "The World Cup has now exposed millions of people to Major League Soccer," says MLS executive vice-president Dan Courtemanche, who joined the league in 1995 before a ball was kicked. "We're going to continue to capitalise on that momentum." Could the lasting legacy of this World Cup be the rise of MLS into the band of elite leagues? Major League Soccer is itself a legacy product from the 1994 World Cup, when Fifa mandated the US to establish a professional league as part of its bid to host the tournament. The league started in 1996 with 10 teams and zero purpose-built stadiums. Thirty years later, MLS has 30 clubs and almost as many football-specific stadiums. Despite predictions of empty World Cup seats because of sky-high ticket prices, the stadiums were packed, and broadcast ratings were impressive as football joy spread across the United States - even after the USA were knocked out of the tournament. The US team's loss to Belgium at the last-16 stage delivered the most-watched football game on one network in US history - with more than 33 million watching on Fox. England's last-16 win over Mexico became the most-watched football game in US history with a combined 45 million viewers in English and Spanish watching across Fox and Telemundo. The ratings compare with games in the NFL - what Americans consider football - but are not up to the level of the showpiece Super Bowl. In 2025, the most-watched Super Bowl in history attracted 127.7 million viewers across English and Spanish broadcasts and streaming in the US, although many Americans tune in solely for the half-time show, which was performed by Kendrick Lamar that year. MLS, which has shown strong growth since its first season 30 years ago, aspires to become an elite league on par with Europe's top competitions. "I think we're looked at as the top, one of the top leagues commercially," MLS commissioner Don Garber said at an MLS event to discuss the future of the league and the post-World Cup legacy. "We've cracked that code. Now we've got to crack the rest of it." In some ways, MLS is already up there with the big leagues across the world. There were 45 MLS players represented at the 2026 World Cup - including two in the final for Argentina, Messi and Rodrigo de Paul. MLS has a reputation for being almost a retirement home for superstars - a lucrative place to play for legends like Beckham and Messi after peak careers in Europe. But that reputation is outdated, Courtemanche says, with the average age of new international players in the league now 23.8 years. Though many of them have dreams of playing in Europe after experiencing MLS. MLS is changing its calendar in 2027 to adopt a summer-to-spring season, more aligned with Europe to make it easier for players to move between the leagues. And the competition's leaders are investing in youth development leagues. All MLS teams run youth academies. As LA Galaxy hosted a viewing party for the US victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on a big screen, dozens of children ignored the match, instead battling it out themselves on three separate pitches, occasionally running to the big screen when the sound of a goal spread through the crowd. These were rare pick-up games in a culture full of highly scheduled children - and the skill level was high. Some of the kids played for MLS youth teams. Eight-year-old Landon - named after US star Landon Donovan - was one of the more skilled, moving from goalkeeper to forward with glee. His mother Jen Wing is a coach and says her children have attended MLS camps and play on travel teams at their home in New Jersey. Landon dreams of being a professional soccer player one day in MLS. "LAFC," he says, referring to his dream team. But critics say MLS will never compete with Europe until it sorts out its "pay-to-play" culture in youth development. At the top level, MLS academies train and develop youth players for free, much like their European counterparts. But to get to that level, where an MLS academy team would notice a teenage player, families typically pay thousands of dollars for private lessons and access to travel teams, a common theme in US sports. MLS officials say the development leagues are constantly evolving and improving when it comes to developing young talent, and that every team has scholarships available to talented players. Commissioner Garber says the league is always improving and is determined to get even better at developing young players so they can deliver "more and more to the men's national team and just be better, bigger, stronger, faster, all those things that give you energy to think of a better future". When it comes to attracting audiences, Messi is the league's biggest draw. But the cult of celebrity runs throughout the league. More than two dozen entertainers and athletes hold ownership stakes in MLS clubs, including Will Ferrell (LAFC), Reese Witherspoon (Nashville SC), Matthew McConaughey (Austin FC) and Magic Johnson (LAFC). Drew Carey was an original Seattle Sounders owner when the club joined MLS in 2009 for a $30m (£22m) expansion fee. The Sounders are now valued at more than $900m (£668m). David Beckham's 2007 LA Galaxy contract included the option to buy an MLS expansion team for $25m. He now owns Inter Miami CF, a club that experts have valued at more than a billion dollars. But as much as the US is experiencing a football frenzy right now, many believe US culture will always prioritise American football. Brian Udovich, whose 12-year-old son Croil plays in an MLS Next Level league in Southern California, says many talented youngsters leave the sport for American football when they become teenagers because of all the fanfare. On Friday nights, American football players get their names up in lights with marching bands and cheerleaders urging them on to glory in giant stadiums. Whereas soccer is typically played on Saturday mornings with mums and dads in folding chairs. "It just means so much more to other cultures than us," Udovich says. Michael Bradley, coach of the New York Red Bulls, says American culture is just different and that the legacy of the World Cup will make association football more prominent. "We don't have the long, storied football history that other countries do. I think for a long time that led to an inferiority complex that maybe football would never really survive in the United States," Bradley told the BBC, adding that now so many more fans in the US feel proud. "I think we can all unequivocally say in 2026, football is not going anywhere." Best goal, best player, best fans - BBC reporters' World Cup awards Messi says 'pain is immense' after losing World Cup final

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Counterfeit football shirts worth over £18m were seized in the UK during the course of the World Cup because of safety concerns. The tournament produced a spike in the sales of fake shirts and kits, but the Fire Service has warned that these items are far more flammable and dangerous than the genuine articles. One raid involved 1,618 fake strips being taken from a warehouse in Birmingham, including replicas of star players such as France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland. Detective Sergeant Jamie Kirk, City of London Police, who took part in the operation, told BBC Sport: "I understand why people want to buy these shirts, people love football and the incentive is the lower price - but these shirts, they're not regulated and could be highly flammable. "They have dyes in them which could be harmful to skin, particularly children's skin. While the cost is lower - and that's the attractive part - potential damages to you and the people making them is just far too high." Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tested the flammability of counterfeit shirts compared with genuine kit and found the fake kits were much more flammable. "It's quite clear that the counterfeit one melted as soon as the burner went on it," said watch manager Dave Jackson, who carried out the test by hanging them two at a time on an iron bar and used blow torches to set them alight. "I really had to try to make the genuine one ignite and melt. "It's extremely dangerous. It's something that can cause horrific injuries to your children. It's just not worth the savings." Kate Caffrey, head of intelligence at the Intellectual Property Office, warned that fake shirts are not regulated. "Counterfeit strips are not subject to health and safety regulations, British Standards [or] EU standards," she told BBC Sport. "We've got evidence that counterfeit goods are made in appalling conditions, so you just don't know what's in them, how they're being made and there's no way of providing any safety reassurances. "Counterfeiting is criminal, these are manufactured and supplied by criminal networks, criminal gangs and they're very adept at targeting markets where there's demand. So the World Cup, the forthcoming Premier League season - they're going to flood the market with fake shirts. "The price of a fake shirt, you don't know what you're funding with that money." Clearly the cost of genuine replica kits is a contributing factor behind the demand for cheap copies. We found several websites where counterfeit shirts were being sold for as little as £12. It can be tempting for parents to turn to an affordable alternative when it can cost up to seven times more for the real thing, with some Premier League official strips starting from £85.

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Rodri's stock at all-time high as he adds to trophy collection When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

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Almost 3,000 websites have been blocked or seized for illegally streaming World Cup matches, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has said. Enforcement agencies in America and across South America carried out the action under investigations named "operation offsides" and "operation red card". Ivan J. Arvelo, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (NIPRCC), said unauthorised broadcasting of World Cup matches violated intellectual property rights and "fuels criminal organizations". The DOJ said at the end of last month it had taken down 400 webpages over illegal World Cup streaming. Now hundreds more have been taken down or blocked. "The sustained effort to seize more than a thousand domains dedicated to illegally streaming the World Cup confirms the administration's commitment to intellectual property rights and to the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup," said the DOJ's assistant attorney general A. Tysen Duva. The enforcement has been largely overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency that includes the NIPRCC. The illegal streaming of sports often happens through webpages or websites created specifically for the event. Companies and broadcasters have estimated, external the activity costs them billions of dollars a year. Due to its global popularity, football has been found to be pirated at an "industrial scale", according to analysts. The increasing cost of rights deals for matches has resulted in higher prices for fans at home, especially if they choose to pay for multiple services to watch their team play. It has led to some fans turning to illegal streams of big games to avoid such costs. Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), which aims to combat digital piracy and helped in the police effort, said on Monday that the World Cup was the "kind of global live event that piracy networks move quickly to exploit". The crackdown on illegal streaming was also supported by Fifa, which organises the World Cup, beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Warner Brothers. Much of Fifa's revenue comes from the sale of broadcasting rights to the various global media networks that want to televise matches. The Colombian Attorney General's Office said it had even made several arrests in connection with the operations. Four members of what was referred to as the "cybercriminal group" Los Ciberinfiltrados were arrested for allegedly gaining and distributing access to World Cup games illegally. Another 830 websites in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and the Dominican Republic were also taken down. As well as illegal streaming, police in Colombia conducted "nationwide search-and-seizure operations" around counterfeit sports clothing. The DoJ said 11 people in the country has been arrested and convicted for the illegal manufacture and distribution of fake sporting merchandise.

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Fifa's disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at MetLife stadium. Any player or coach involved in the fracas could face suspension, while the Argentine Football Association (AFA) may also be fined. Following their 1-0 defeat on Sunday, members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players as they began to celebrate their World Cup success. Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved. It was incorrectly reported on Fifa's commentator information system that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for pushing Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat. Paredes' red card was deleted shortly afterwards and Fifa has confirmed to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action was taken at the time. Argentina had already had one player dismissed, with Enzo Fernandez receiving a second yellow card in second-half stoppage time. As the final whistle blew in New Jersey, a few Argentina players - including Lionel Messi - slumped to the turf. Others stood there motionless as Spain's players raced across the pitch in jubilation. Rodri, who had been substituted in extra-time, ran over from the dugout to join his team-mates. As the Manchester City midfielder went past Molina, the Argentina defender appeared to punch Rodri on the arm or stomach. This was the fuse which ignited the trouble. Rodri confronted Molina, but it was the Argentina player who thrust forward in an aggressive manner. Garcia ran over to back up his team-mate at which point Paredes got involved too, jabbing Garcia in the throat. Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene, only to be forced to the ground by Almada. Paredes then pushed Gavi to the floor by putting his hand in the Spaniard's face. Ayala then looked to be holding Garcia around the throat. He then appeared to strike Spain midfielder Dani Olmo. "Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone's face. He went for them," Alan Shearer said on BBC One's coverage. "There is no place or space for that. "We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible." Joe Hart added: "The game's done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour." But Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, who had attempted to calm the situation, appeared to play down the incidents in his post-match interview. "We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat," he said. "Today, we are showing that we know how to lose. "We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn't mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here." Fifa's disciplinary committee has a number of options open to it. By appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor, Fifa will look in more detail at offences rather than just potential violent conduct. There is a greater chance of stronger punishment if players or the national association is charged and found guilty. Article 13 of the disciplinary code covers offensive behaviour and the principles of fair play. The actions of the players and staff could be judged as "violating the basic rules of decent conduct" and "behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or Fifa into disrepute". The disciplinary and ethics prosecutor will take into account "both aggravating and mitigating circumstances", and it has the power to enforce a ban globally. Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years in 2023 and lost an appeal to get it overturned. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup. It meant the Liverpool player would have missed the first nine games of the Premier League season. But he was transferred to Barcelona during the summer, finally making his debut on 25 October. It is unlikely that Almada, Ayala, Molina and Paredes will face bans as long as this. The AFA, however, has had other issues with the behaviour of its players in recent years. Argentina faced charges related to "offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play" and "misconduct of players and officials" following the 2022 World Cup final. The South Americans beat France on penalties but were criticised for the way they celebrated. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy, before being filmed in the dressing room mocking France star Kylian Mbappe. Argentina were fined £18,300 and no action was taken against any player involved. Following Argentina's 2024 Copa America win, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was forced to apologise for a video he posted which referenced the World Cup final win. The French Football Federation said the song was a "racist and discriminatory" chant. Martinez was then banned for two games in 2024 for 'offensive behaviour' in World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. Martinez had repeated his infamous celebration using a replica Copa America trophy following a 3-0 win over Chile. Four days later, he hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch after a 2-1 defeat by Colombia. At this World Cup, the AFA is already facing a probable fine for the banner held up after the England game. Their players celebrated while holding a cloth which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates as "The Falklands are Argentine". In 2014, the AFA was fined £20,000 after its players held up a banner with the same message before a friendly against Slovenia. It is possible that Fifa could issue bans to the players who were holding it: Tottenham's Cristian Romero, former Spurs player Giovani Lo Celso and Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez. After Spain's 2-1 Euro 2024 final win over England, their captain Alvaro Morata and team-mate Rodri were banned for one game by Uefa after they chanted "Gibraltar is Spanish" during their victory celebrations. There is no timescale for Fifa's prosecutor to complete his investigation into Argentina's conduct. On 18 February, Uefa appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to look into alleged racist abuse by Gialunca Prestianni to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Benfica. It was over two months, on 24 April, before Prestianni was given a six-game ban for homophobic conduct, with three matches suspended for two years. Could Infantino really push through a 64-team World Cup? Victory for football? Spain beat Argentina to win World Cup Sixteen titles in five years - why Spain are a dominant force How to watch the World Cup on the BBC and ITV

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While the Slovenian did travel to Mexico City for the opening game between the co-hosts and South Africa, he snubbed the trip to New Jersey on Sunday after a series of decisions taken by world football's governing body. This was a key factor in Ceferin's decision not to go to the final. "When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," Uefa said in a statement. Ceferin is also firmly against many other changes driven by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, including half-time shows. They will not be introduced to the Champions League or the European Championship. Pop giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber were among the acts to perform in the event, which extended the usual 15-minute half-time break to 27 minutes 22 seconds. After referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US before the tournament started, Uefa invited the Somali to officiate the Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August. The high ticket prices have also proved controversial within Uefa. BBC Sport reported on Friday how Uefa has instructed its VARs not to consider diving under the new mistaken identity protocol, as Fifa has during the World Cup. This led to Switzerland striker Breel Embolo being sent off in the quarter-final defeat to Argentina. Players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will not be shown red cards in Uefa competitions either. The issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game. The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse and provisionally banned for one match. Following a Uefa investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches - three of which were suspended. The law change for a red card was the brainchild of Fifa president Infantino, who wanted something which would have "a deterrent effect" at the World Cup. Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was the first player to be sent off in his side's World Cup group game against Turkey. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie then saw red in Ecuador's last-16 exit to co-hosts Mexico. Could Infantino really push through a 64-team World Cup? Best goal, best player, best fans - BBC reporters' World Cup awards Lamine Yamal 'completes football' at 19 as Argentina betray Messi

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363 Comments As Spain captain Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy high into the New Jersey sky, he added another trophy to his already glittering record. A Ballon d'Or, one European title, one Nations League, four Premier League trophies, one Champions League and numerous other domestic triumphs. And now the greatest prize of them all. The Manchester City playmaker has long been revered for his club exploits, but now his stock is at an all-time high as he added world champion to his list of accolades when Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday in New Jersey. Not only did the Spain captain steer his side to a first triumph since 2010 and stitch a second star on the national shirt, but he was also crowned player of the tournament. The 30-year-old becomes only the fourth men's player to win the World Cup, Euros, Champions League and Ballon d'Or, joining legends Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer and Zinedine Zidane. But until recently, this level of success perhaps seemed out of reach for Rodri. After rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2024, questions were asked about whether he could ever really return to the heights that saw him clinch the Treble with City in 2023 and claim the Euros with Spain a year later. Such a major injury takes time to recover from and it is only in glimpses during last season that we saw the Rodri of old. Now it seems the Spaniard was simply biding his time, patiently waiting for a full return to fitness in order to peak at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Rodri's future in Manchester remains uncertain with only one year left on his contract and Real Madrid reportedly coming knocking. It begs the question what next for Spain's conductor? If 19-year-old Lamine Yamal is the flair and creativity of the Spanish team, Rodri is the puppet master. His role in the middle of the park may often go under the radar, but he is the one stringing it all together. Throughout Spain's World Cup campaign he completed 756 passes, the most in a single edition on record since 1966. He featured in all eight of La Roja's matches en route to glory, topping the metrics for touches (910), passes in the opposition half (428), line-breaking passes (122) - including in the final third (76). There are only three instances on record (since 1966) of a player completing 100+ passes in a World Cup final. Brazil's Dunga in 1994 (130), defender Pau Cubarsi (121) and Rodri (101) - both in this year's edition. "Rodri was absolutely outstanding," said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. "He is not only the guy who ran the longest in the whole tournament and average per game, the amount of passes he gives to beat defenders, he is at his sharpest, he is at Ballon d'or level. This is Rodri's team." A second Ballon d'Or does not seem out of reach, although he has perhaps not played enough club football to make him the favourite for the individual accolade in a stacked field. Rodri is currently being linked with a move to Real Madrid, where returning manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly very keen on the composure, defensive ability and ball control of the former Atletico and Villarreal midfielder. New City boss Enzo Maresca is unlikely to be interested in letting Rodri go but, with only one year left on his contract, there is naturally a degree of uncertainty about the situation. One thing is for sure, his performance at this World Cup has placed him as a hot property - one that City would surely not want to part with but would also fetch a premium price if they did. Returning from an ACL injury is a notoriously difficult task. Having suffered the injury in September 2024, mere months after Spain's Euros triumph, Rodri missed the rest of that season then featured sporadically last campaign. He made 33 appearances across all competitions for City but suffered a number of injury setbacks and, at times, looked a shadow of the player he was before the injury. Former City boss Pep Guardiola predicted in October last year that we would not see the best of Rodri until the World Cup. And, as has so often been the case, the Catalan was right. "I've gone through a logical process that every football player has to go through after an injury like this," Rodri said after Spain's triumph. "It takes a year to get back to your best fitness level and then one more on top of that to feel like yourself again as the player you were. "You need to be patient, and you need to believe and be confident in yourself." It was a frank conversation with Guardiola, where Rodri told him he needed to stop to get his body right for the World Cup, that changed the trajectory of his recovery and ensured he was back to his best for the summer tournament. "To get where I am today in my current form, I had to be clever," Rodri added. "I had to know when to stop playing and when to carry on when I needed to, and that's part of what you need to do to recover properly. "It's been a very tough time. I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity. "When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life. "Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness." Best goal, best player, best fans - BBC reporters' World Cup awards Victory for football? Spain beat Argentina to win World Cup

World Cup News

The new-look Club World Cup, the expanded World Cup, the inflated ticket prices. And, of course, the Super Bowl-style show that meant the half-time break at the World Cup final lasted 27 minutes and 22 seconds. Infantino appears to have thrown the door wide open to a 64-team World Cup. "If you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving," he said. Except, of course, smaller countries are not denied the chance. If they are good enough, they qualify. See Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. Purely in terms of the competition format, it does make sense. The top two teams in the 16 groups would go through to the knockout stage. No longer would there be a need to send a few third-placed teams through. But is there really any other logical reason to expand to 64 teams? The 2030 World Cup will mark 100 years since the first World Cup, which was held in Uruguay. The tournament will primarily be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain - but the opening three matches will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay as centenary hosts. Conmebol - the South American confederation - wants more games. In April 2025, it requested a one-off tournament of 64 teams so it could take on the full programme of the additional four groups. Its president, Alejandro Dominguez, said it would ensure "nobody on the planet is left out of the party". There has been little support from elsewhere. Victor Montagliani - president of the governing body of North and Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) - said last year it would damage "the broader football ecosystem". Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa agreed, saying further expansion could bring "chaos". None of which means it will not happen, with the decision taken by the 37 members of the Fifa Council. A 64-team tournament has two main plus points: a more natural format, and more opportunities for emerging nations. It is the latter which Infantino is championing, especially after the heroics of Cape Verde. Then Cape Verde drew with Spain and Uruguay to finish second in their group. And the Blue Sharks gave Argentina an almighty scare by taking them to extra time in the last 16, before losing 3-2. But the fairytale stories must be balanced with the competitive edge of the tournament. Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Panama, Tunisia and Uzbekistan failed to pick up a point - and this summer's group stage had minimal jeopardy for the top nations. Add more teams and it would be difficult to see a repeat of top-four seeds like Belgium (2022), Germany (2018), Spain (2014), Italy (2010) and France (2002) failing to make to knockout stage. Then there is the question of where the extra places would go. Based on this year's qualifying, these are the additional countries who would have made it into a 64-team World Cup 2026 (with their Fifa ranking at the start of the tournament in brackets): AFC: Indonesia (118), Oman (79), United Arab Emirates (68). Uefa: Denmark (21), Italy (12), Poland (36). Concacaf: Honduras (65), Jamaica (71), Suriname (125). Africa: Burkina Faso (62), Cameroon (44), Gabon (86), Nigeria (26). Six of those teams are from the top 50 of Fifa's world rankings - three from Europe, two from Africa and one from South America. And therein lies the problem. Asia and Concacaf are weaker confederations, as was proven by performances this year. Nine of Africa's 10 countries got out of the group stage. But only two of nine Asian countries advanced, and just three of the six Concacaf countries - the co-hosts - made it through. New Zealand, who got one point and finished bottom of their group, are the only country from Oceania in the world's top 150. There is an argument that if you extend again, you should give a greater weight of places to Europe just for competitive balance. But, on the other hand, there are those who would argue that bringing more teams into the World Cup ultimately allows the game to develop further in those countries. Infantino will sell the expansion as being good for the global game, but there have to be doubts that it is good for the competition. Almost a third of Fifa's 211 nations would be present. Would the group stage not simply become a glorified pan-confederation qualifying competition for what is, essentially, a knockout tournament? Expanding the World Cup to 64 teams is really just a case of bolting on four additional four-team groups. This year's tournament lasted 39 days. An additional 24 matches would require 20 schedule slots. Or another five days. But this summer's event was unique for two reasons: multiple time zones and indoor stadiums. That will not be so straightforward in the future, even with 48 teams. Climate change is making playing in the daytime more challenging - see the record heatwaves in Europe in recent weeks. Other countries are far less likely to have the covered venues of Atlanta, Dallas Houston and Vancouver to mitigate it. The Saudi Arabia World Cup is likely to move to January 2035 but it is not clear how other countries will get around this growing problem. Until this year, only once had there been dual hosts of the World Cup - Japan and South Korea in 2002. It is hard to imagine any one country ever being capable of hosting again. Even Saudi Arabia. Could we be looking at World Cups hosted by, for instance, the UK and Scandinavia? Or Eastern Europe? How would an Asian or African country be able to fund hosting the World Cup? Let's look a just a few issues that would need to be resolved. This summer there were 16 host cities with stadiums having capacities ranging from 43,000 to 81,000. More would be required. There would need to be 64 individual, elite-level training facilities for the qualifying nations. Then there is the provision of hotels for the fans, and the infrastructure and support network to move them around. Expanding the World Cup is not as simple as giving more opportunities to more countries. One of Infantino's key promises when he was elected was to bring more money into the game. Every football association now has access to $8m (£5.9m) in funding over a four-year period, with a further $1.2m (£890,000) on top for the smaller nations. Confederations get $60m (£44.5m) to develop, promote and organise football. It is why Infantino is likely to be re-elected unopposed next year. This money has to come from somewhere, primarily the World Cup. In 2017, Fifa projected a 48-team World Cup would bring in $6.5bn (£4.8bn). In 2022, it revised the format again and added 24 games. Now, it expects to rake in $9bn (£6.7bn) this year. A 64-team event is likely to raise more from television, sponsorship and ticket sales. But critics would argue there has to be a point where expansion is no longer good for the game. Why European backlash over Trump intervention won't worry Infantino When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

World Cup News

In America, nobody sells football quite like David Beckham. During this World Cup, the former England captain has been impossible to miss. On the pitch, the tournament belongs to stars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. Off the pitch, Sir David has become the face of the World Cup, fronting advertising campaigns for 11 brands ranging from McDonald's and Major League Soccer to Stella Artois, Home Depot and Bank of America. And if you haven't seen him during one of the many half-time commercial breaks, you've probably spotted him at the United States' opening match in Los Angeles, watching alongside his friend Tom Cruise. Just hours before that, Beckham had become the first professional footballer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with actor Cruise once again by his side. "David speaks to so many different people. I think that's what's unique about him," said Stacy Jones, founder and CEO of the marketing agency Hollywood Branded. "He brings in the female demographic because he is so sexy - but he appeals to men. He's an honest, good, authentic, down-to-earth type of individual. So you don't really get affronted by him." She felt Beckham had achieved something few celebrities manage, moving effortlessly between football, fashion, entertainment, business and the cult of celebrity. On Hermosa Beach, south of Los Angeles, hundreds of fans gathered to watch Spain reach the World Cup final at an event organised by LA Galaxy - the club Beckham joined in 2007 from Real Madrid. Ask fans what comes to mind when they hear the name David Beckham and the answers come quickly. "David Beckham was a really good player for England, but he's doing too many commercials now," said one football fan. For Megan Hapeman, it's the recent McDonald's advert in which Beckham hopes to receive a cup featuring his own face. Her six-year-old son Oliver proudly told me he still has one. "When I got it, I was pretty proud," he said. "Because Mommy liked it, I liked it too." That's exactly what brands are buying. Beckham transcends clubs, generations and even football itself. That broad appeal didn't happen by accident. It was built on Beckham's football legacy in America. He remains the player with the trademark free-kicks, part of Manchester United's Treble-winning side in 1999, England captain and one of Real Madrid's original Galácticos. Dan Courtemanche, Major League Soccer's executive vice-president and chief communications officer, admitted Beckham's influence on the game in America cannot be overstated. "I always tell people he changed the fate of American soccer. Not once, but twice," he said. When Beckham signed for LA Galaxy 19 years ago, stadiums across Major League Soccer sold out before he had even played a competitive match. The league needed credibility and he gave it something even broader: mainstream celebrity. Sixteen years later, Beckham helped persuade Argentina icon Messi to choose Inter Miami over rival offers globally - another moment that transformed MLS, according to Courtemanche. "Lionel Messi decided to make Major League Soccer his league of choice and Inter Miami his club of choice," he added. "Again, it took us to a whole other level." Tom Braun, LA Galaxy's president and chief operating officer, said Beckham's influence has stretched way beyond football. "David's an iconic figure in our sport and our culture," he explained. "He's built a business around his brand and continues to resonate with people." The evolution of the 51-year-old, who also played for AC Milan and Paris St-Germain before retiring in 2013, was perhaps best symbolised this summer on Hollywood Boulevard. When Beckham accepted his star on the Walk of Fame, he reflected he had never imagined "a working-class English footballer" would receive such an honour. The recognition celebrated not only the life of Beckham the footballer, but Beckham the cultural figure. "David Beckham, to America, is the World Cup," Jones said. Having arrived in Los Angeles promising to grow the game, Beckham is still helping sell football to America. Only now, he's doing it not with a free-kick, but with a brand. When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

World Cup News

1903 Comments After delivering unforgettable drama and surprises across 104 matches over almost six weeks, the World Cup is over. History has been scripted, records broken and heroes old and new made their mark at football's most coveted tournament. Read our reporters' reflections from the US, Canada and Mexico and then choose from our chief football writer Phil McNulty's selections for best goal and best save. Spain captain Rodri won the official World Cup Golden Ball trophy as the tournament's best player. Messi won the Silver Ball as the second-best player, with Mbappe named Bronze Ball winner. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer Surprise, surprise. Lionel Messi. Not simply a swansong for a 39-year-old closing down his career, but the enduring inspiration of a nation and a football team. Look at how he controlled the game and pulled the strings when Argentina chased England down in a dramatic semi-final. I was in a Kylian Mbappe news conference early in the World Cup and I remember thinking that I'd never seen him looking more relaxed, more confident and more determined to make this his tournament. That demeanour off the pitch was reflected in some brilliant performances on the pitch - great goals, leadership, flair, composure under pressure and more work off the ball than I've ever seen from him. Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter The player of the tournament has been Jude Bellingham . The Real Madrid midfielder dragged England through by sheer force of will in some games and took his game to another level during the tournament. Lionel Messi's leadership, football intelligence and ability to decide the biggest matches has proven vital for Argentina. He was the driving force behind their run to the final and that makes him the competition's standout player. With eight goals and four assists in eight games at this World Cup, it has to be Lionel Messi . England did their best to keep him quiet in the semi-final and succeeded in the first half, but Messi often finds a way and his two assists proved decisive. Michael Olise. Marked out of the semi-final against Spain but the former Crystal Palace forward, who started his journey aged six at Hayes & Yeading United, has left his mark on this tournament with his seven assists. At just 24, Olise has another World Cup or two up his sleeve. I'm still playing replays in my mind of that spectacular scissor-kick against Sweden in the last 32. The whole press box erupted thinking it was going in, only for the ball to crash against a post. Rodri . He has proved to be irreplaceable for his country as he is for Manchester City. Exceptional and so effective at the heart of the best team in the tournament Easy choice but it has to be Lionel Messi . Doing this at the age of 39 is almost defying the law of physics. He is cementing his place as the greatest. What information do we collect from this quiz?Breakout star of the tournamentSpain's 19-year-old centre-back Pau Cubarsi received the Fifa award for the tournament's best young player after playing every minute of their World Cup campaign. He was a key figure in the Spain defence that conceded only one goal all tournament. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer I am going for Spain's 19-year-old central defender Pau Cubarsi . The Barcelona youngster was magnificent against France in the semi-final and is a star of the future. Lille fans, regular viewers of Ligue 1 and recruitment teams from the top clubs knew all about his potential but Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi burst on to the world stage in style with an exceptional performance in their opening match against Brazil. At the New York New Jersey Stadium that day, I found myself not watching the ball but watching his incredibly intelligent movement around the pitch, which reminded me of a cross between Patrick Vieira and Luka Modric. Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter It sounds strange to call Erling Haaland a breakout star but it is hard to explain the impact he has had here in the US. He has become a household name and even more of a global superstar. Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. He began his unforgettable World Cup with seven sensational saves in a 0–0 draw against Spain in their debut World Cup match and ended it with eight more remarkable saves as Cape Verde pushed Lionel Messi and Argentina to the brink of elimination. Vozinha's heroics sparked a global following, with his Instagram audience skyrocketing from about 50,000 before the tournament to more than 29 million. It seemed like the USA would go far at this tournament, particularly with the wave of support behind them, but it wasn't to be as they exited at the last-16 stage. Despite that, many of their players did their own reputations no harm and one of those was full-back Alex Freeman , with his performances leading to USA boss Mauricio Pochettino saying he could be one of the best in the world in his position. Step forward Switzerland's Johan Manzambi . Some 20-year-olds might be overwhelmed playing on the biggest stage of all. Not Manzambi. This huge talent plays with a smile on his face and is a natural entertainer who departed the tournament with three goals in four games. Johan Manzambi . I highlighted him before the World Cup and, although he missed the end for Switzerland through injury, the fact he is moving to the Premier League with Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £50m underlines his quality. The 17-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora, who ended up in their starting line-up. Had the air of Luka Modric and seems destined for the top of the game. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer The Azteca for Mexico v England. Might just be the best atmosphere I have ever experienced in seven World Cups. It was an assault on the senses and the singing of the Mexican national anthem was a spine-tingling experience. A simply unforgettable night. Speaking to the Paraguay fans outside the Boston stadium, moments after one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts I have ever seen, as the South American side stunned Germany. One father and son, draped in Paraguay flags, were in tears as they told me that this was the best day of their lives, and it summed up what special moments at a World Cup can mean to people. I will never forget the emotion of those fans streaming out of the ground in disbelief. Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick in his first game at this World Cup showed that he was not done and was going to try to push Argentina to another tournament win. Sidny Cabral's stunning 103rd-minute equaliser against Argentina. His strike from the edge of the penalty area that flew beyond Emiliano Martinez sent the stadium into disbelief and brought Cape Verde level at 2-2 in extra time. Although Argentina eventually edged the tie 3-2, Cabral's wonder goal became an instant classic and will always be talked about. For me it was Argentina being pushed by Cape Verde all the way before the debutants were knocked out. They showed the sort of guts and desire we want to see from these teams that gained the opportunity to play at a World Cup because of the expanded format. On my travels around the US, where I have covered 13 games in six different cities, I have spoken to dozens of fans. I was offered a beer and sausages cooked from the back of a pick-up truck before France-Paraguay in Philadelphia, and been stopped for selfies. "You're from the BBC? I have to have a selfie with the guy from the BBC." I have lost count of the number of times I have stopped a fan and introduced myself, only to be asked: "Is it coming home?" For the moment I actually witnessed, it would have to be Sidny Cabral and his sensational equaliser against Argentina as Cape Verde, the smallest nation to ever reach the knockout stages, stunned the defending champions for a second time to make it 2-2 in Miami. Cabral's astonishing goal against Argentina . It was as funny as it was breathtaking. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer Brazil . Slow. Uninspired. Un-Brazilian. Trudged through the World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti and every weakness was exposed when they deservedly went out to Norway in the last 16. Senegal came to the tournament with the most talented squad in their history but various problems off the pitch arguably meant the players were not given the right environment to thrive. When they were 2-0 up in the last-32 match against Belgium, it looked as though they would salvage something from this World Cup, but tactical errors and poor game management cost them. It was a massive wasted opportunity for a gifted generation of Senegal players. Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter Scotland missing out on third-placed qualification was a disappointment and having to wait a couple of days before it was confirmed must have been painful. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. As one of the pre-tournament favourites, they fell short after a 1–0 last-16 defeat by Spain. Ronaldo managed three goals in five matches and, despite high expectations, Portugal never reached the level many expected, ending another World Cup campaign in frustrating fashion. The USA. They started this tournament so well and created a real wave of optimism and hope among the home fans, but all that was undone by the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun and then their limp exit at the hands of Belgium. The final being held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey . Yes, it is huge but it is not fan-friendly and it is an expensive pain to get to and get away from. Philadelphia would have been my pick. A stadium on the outskirts of the city in a sports complex. The MetLife is a giant bowl in the middle of nowhere. France in their semi-final defeat by Spain . I tipped Spain to beat France but still did not expect such a flat performance and their star-studded frontline to flounder as badly as they did. I really thought Brazil under Ancelotti would go further. And clearly so did they. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer Mexico . The sheer passion and love for their team and football was incredible. Also such friendly, welcoming fans and people. Incredibly warm and gracious in defeat. We were in a restaurant in Mexico City the night before they played England, and an MC went around each table asking which country people were from. When we told them we were from England, it was announced to the rest of the diners, who burst into a spontaneous outbreak of applause. A word for the Curacao fans I was with inside the Philadelphia Stadium - because who knew that supporters from a nation of just 150,000 could make that much noise? Was there anyone left on the island? But the Brazil fans win it for me because they do not just take over stadiums; they take over cities; Philadelphia felt like Rio or Sao Paulo for 48 hours when they were in town. Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter The Colombia fans took over Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City when they played Ghana, and made it feel like a party. Norway's fans were brilliant, with their legendary Viking row taking over the World Cup. The chant became a global sensation and created an unforgettable atmosphere in every stadium they entered. The most iconic moments came after matches when the players joined the fans to lead the Viking row from the pitch, uniting thousands of supporters in celebration. I was based mainly in Los Angeles for the World Cup. There's a large Mexican population there and from what I experienced, they were undoubtedly the best supporters. They were loud - very loud - for every Mexico game and when they won fireworks could be heard around LA while their distinct green jerseys were seen everywhere. Norway's Viking row was fun to watch, with fans wearing red shirts sitting in lines and rowing in rhythm. The Norway supporters also provided an amusing moment during the quarter-final with England. They sang "You're going home, you're going home, England's going home" as they led 1-0 in Miami. Moments later Jude Bellingham equalised. The Mexicans . I was fortunate to experience two matches in the Azteca. That is where the heart of this World Cup was and the support for their team was a joy to behold. Argentina. On two occasions in Miami and Kansas City, I have been in stadiums where their support has been in excess of 60,000 fans. The sheer scale of numbers is matched by their wild passion. They sing constantly and have generated the best atmospheres I have encountered in the US. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer The deadlock was broken by Lionel Messi for Argentina against Cape Verde with a triumph of technique as he showed exquisite touch to take a difficult pass on the run before, with little room to work with, he guided it into the top corner with his second touch. In the same game, Sidny Cabral's extra-time equaliser was a wonderful moment. From the angle just inside the area, his right-foot curling drive into the top corner gave Emiliano Martinez no chance. In the group stages, Kerim Alajbegovic's goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina against Qatar was a superb solo effort - a weaving run before a rising right-foot shot of high class. What looked like a casual swing of Erling Haaland's left boot was in fact a perfectly placed finish with astonishing power to crown a match-winning performance for Norway against Brazil in the last 16. A tight quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland was broken open by a moment of genius from Julian Alvarez. The vastly under-rated attacker provided with a swerving right-footed drive from long range into the top corner in extra time. Antonio Nusa's opener for Norway against Ivory Coast was perfection. A little shimmy in the area to feint away from a defender, then a precise curling finish into the top corner. What information do we collect from this quiz?Save of the tournament Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer Johny Placide made a superb double save for Haiti against Morocco. It came first with his legs then he showed swift reactions to save one-handed to his left. At the Azteca Stadium, Jordan Pickford had an outstanding game in England's memorable win over Mexico. His early save, diving low to his left to keep out Raul Jimenez's header, was a crucial moment of brilliance. Orjan Nyland produced a remarkable stop for Norway against Brazil from his own defender Kristoffer Ajer, who inadvertently directed the ball goalwards. Nyland scrambled backwards showing remarkably anticipation and agility to leap and turn the ball against the post. Aymen Dahmen showed stunning reactions for Tunisia against Japan from Takehiro Tomiyasu's close-range effort, somehow keeping the ball out as it did everything but cross the line. There was a brilliant diving save by Patrick Beach for Australia in their group game with Turkey , diving away to his right to touch Abdulkerim Bardakci's rising 30-yard shot on to the post. Iran's Alireza Beiranvand produced a remarkable save from Maxim de Cuyper of Belgium. Beiranvand could not reach Kevin de Bruyne's shot but somehow recovered his position and reacted to keep out a shot from inside the six-yard box. What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026More on this storyMbappe first to win Golden Boot twice as Rodri named best player Lamine Yamal 'completes football' at 19 as Argentina betray Messi World Cup is over, but the football continues on BBC Sport