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How will the 2026 World Cup be remembered? Ranking the 9 top storylines

Every World Cup has one enduring legacy. 2022 was Messi's win. 2018 was Mbappe's breakout. What will 2026 be remembered for?

14hRyan O'Hanlon
Getty Images

Grading the 2026 World Cup from Spain's A to Infantino's F

The World Cup is officially over, and it's time to provide some final grades for some of the teams and people who became household names in North America.

14hMark Ogden

Which players played no minutes at the World Cup?

The World Cup was a time to remember for most, for a handful of players though, their time at the tournament was merely sitting in the best seats in the house.

10hTom Masters

TOP HEADLINES

WORLD CUP REACTION

Spain celebrate World Cup triumph with open-top bus parade in Madrid

23hESPN
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Throngs of fans greet World Cup champs in Madrid

1dAssociated Press

Not even Messi's magic could will Argentina to back-to-back World Cups

1dLizzy Becherano

FIFA World Cup

Final, in review

World Cup Moment of the Day: Gol, por favor - Ferran, Spain's prayers answered with World Cup winner

2dAnirudh Menon
Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

World Cup final stats: Yamal first-ever teenager; Messi sets new World Cup records; Mbappe makes history

2dSunaadh Sagar
Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

ARGENTINA FALL SHORT IN FINAL

VAR review: Did Fernandez deserve red card as Argentina lose World Cup final?

2dAndy Davies
Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

Not even Messi's magic could will Argentina to back-to-back World Cups

1dLizzy Becherano

Messi played poorly in the World Cup final: So what? He's still the GOAT and will be remembered as such

2dMark Ogden

Spain vs. Argentina player ratings as Ferran Torres nets winner to crown La Roja champions

2dShubi Arun

Spain win World Cup thanks to Ferran Torres extra time winner after Enzo Fernández red

2dTom Masters

President Trump, Timothée Chalamet, Tom Cruise top celebrities at 2026 World Cup final

2dESPN staff

Argentina's Scaloni exits news conference in tears: 'It hurts my soul'

2d
1:33

Burley absolutely disgusted by Argentina's World Cup final performance

2d
1:02

Scaloni in tears, unsure of Argentina future

2dLizzy Becherano

Steve McManaman calls out Argentina's 'cheating' after World Cup loss

2d
1:06

KEVIN KEEGAN 1951-2026

Kevin Keegan: From Scunthorpe trialist to England manager, via Liverpool and Newcastle stardom

1dPA
Photo by Werner Baum/picture alliance via Getty Images

Fergie pays tribute to great rival Kevin Keegan

9hPA

Shaka pays heartfelt tribute to Kevin Keegan: 'He was a better human being'

1d
1:51

FIFA World Cup

BRONZE PLAYOFF

World Cup Moment of the Day: The absurd beauty of bronze - Bellingham seals wild game with stunner

3dAnirudh Menon
Luke Hales/Getty Images

World Cup stats: Mbappé tops Messi with 22; Olise breaks Pelé's record with 7; Bellingham's 7 most-ever for England

3dSunaadh Sagar
Getty

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