The curtain has fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift their second world title, but football's biggest individual prize now takes centre stage.

Players representing Real Madrid scored a total of 22 goals, putting the Spanish giants comfortably at the top of the club goalscoring standings. Their contribution highlighted the quality and attacking strength of the club’s squad on the world stage.

Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot on Sunday after Lionel Messi failed to add to his tally in the final in New Jersey.

As the curtain falls on a spectacular tournament, The Daily Star Sport team unveils its definitive World Cup Best XI. Lining up in a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, this star-studded lineup balances elite tactical discipline with unstoppable attacking flair.

France captain Kylian Mbappe believes Lionel Messi will waste little time in reclaiming the World Cup's all-time scoring record when Argentina face Spain in the final.

Mbappe finished his third World Cup campaign with 10 goals to the lead the Golden Boot standings, two ahead of Messi.

The third-place decider is often described as the World Cup's most unwanted fixture. No player begins a tournament dreaming of featuring in it, yet one of the semifinal losers has to walk away with bronze while the other leaves empty-handed.

Argentina staged yet another dramatic comeback at the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating England 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday to book their place in the final for the successive time.

When the world tuned in to the 2026 World Cup semi-final between Spain and France, all eyes were fixed on the superstars. The pre-match narrative was dominated by Kylian Mbappe's lethal finishing, Michael Olise's fluid football and the brilliance of Lamine Yamal.

Beyond Spain’s 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semifinal in Dallas lay a far more compelling story than the scoreline itself -- one of a tactical masterclass from Luis de la Fuente that Didier Deschamps never truly recognised, let alone countered.

Footballing immortality had been within touching distance. On a sweltering afternoon in Dallas, it slipped away.

Spain suffocated France deep in the heart of Texas on Tuesday, powering into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 with a spellbinding 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.

Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. These are not the names most casual World Cup viewers would recognise.

Kylian Mbappe rued the end of France's World Cup dream on Wednesday, blaming tactical and technical blunders for his side's 2-0 semifinal defeat to France.

European champions Spain beat France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday, producing a controlled display to book a place in Sunday's final.

France recalled Bradley Barcola to their attack and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield for their World Cup semifinal against Spain on Wednesday as Luis de la Fuente named an unchanged side.

Showcase the striking "stadium-runway" style of France’s national football team during the World Cup season. Stars like Marcus Thuram and Kylian Mbappé traded sports gear for luxury Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton bags in Boston.

It is one of the puzzling paradoxes of this World Cup: France captain Mbappe is shining as brightly as ever for Les Bleus ahead of Wednesday's semifinal [1am, Bangladesh Time] against Spain in Dallas.

The dazzling Yamal is still catching up off the field, but his record against Mbappe on the pitch is impressive.

France vs Spain, 1am, Wednesday [Bangladesh Time] Argentina vs England, 1am, Thursday [Bangladesh Time]