My Top 10 Winning Moments of the World Cup
The World cup. Every four years this event comes alive and makes memorable moments on and off the pitch. An event that sees the rise of superstars and the end of an era of soccer heroes and champions. For all its glory and controversies, it ignites the entire world’s consciousness and commands every eyeball to focus on the beautiful game and cheer their national representatives who set forth to claim the biggest prize in all of sports. A tournament so big it is it’s own 4-year event that doesn’t need the Olympics. The world’s game in all it’s glory with all the top players from top leagues come together and battle it out to claim the grandest of bragging rights. Asides from the games themselves, there are other storylines that always gets generated that take over the media that become viral. Moments that become part of the history of each event. In honor of those moments, I decided to put together my own list that I feel are worthy to remember and stamp in the history of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Here are my Top 10 Moments:
1. Mexico, Estadio Azteca, Merlen the Duck, MXMNT, and the Mexican fans
Among the host nations, Mexico won. They have shown the world that futbol is alive and well with El Tri leading the pack having won all their group stage games. Every final whistle blown began the song “El Rey” which filled the stadium with such joy and pride that you can feel the energy coming out of the TV Screen. Added to that, the amazing return of Estadio Azteca to the biggest stage in the world glowing in all its glory for the world to see and experience. As an older gentleman who loves history, Estadio Azteca has always been one of the most popular soccer stadiums in the world that commands respect and adoration. To see it once again hosting the World Cup was just magnificent and filled my personal heart with joy. But the stadium wouldn’t have its glory without the Mexican fans. The fans have won the world’s heart by just enjoying the game and most importantly the visiting supporters of their opponents. The sheer joy of celebrating the beautiful game with the Koreans and England fans that have been shown on TV and social media was something that the nation can be proud of that it added to the national pride and proved to the world that Mexico is a great destination for futbol/soccer fans from around the world to explore and experience. Another Joy from the friendliest country in the world, was Merlen the duck (El Pato). This waddling friend marching through the streets wearing the proud jersey has captivated everyone! They should get rid of the eagle in their national flag and just put Merlen right there in the white spot between the red and green.
2. Vozinha, and all of Cabo Verde
The team that was supposedly the weakest among the African countries shined! They first shocked the world when they held Spain to a scoreless draw and sparked a fanaticism of their goalkeeper Vozinha. His social media account jumping from thousands to millions of followers was proof that a new soccer star was born and proving once again that age is just a number. At the ripe old age of 40 in a game dominated by players in their early 20’s, Vozinha showcased a goalkeepers dream performance in soccer’s largest game. So impressive that fans from around the world pitched in to petition for his mother to be able to attend his world cup games. Although they lost to Argentina, the team’s courage, grit, and will made Argentina start sweating under the spotlight tying the game twice and bringing the game to extra time. It was the hardest 3-2 win for Argentina to overcome, and the greatest game of the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup. It was only fitting that they returned home to a hero’s parade and now expected to see a boom in their tourism. A true “Rocky” story. A feel-good David vs. Goliath, underdog celebration which everyone got behind (Except Argentina fans of course).
3. Erling Haaland
What is it that made everyone cheer for Erling Haaland? Is it his fame with Manchester City? His sheer dominance in scoring goals? His Viking-like physique that made other players quiver in their rattling knees? Honestly, I think it was his charm. I mean, who doesn’t like a scary guy with a ferocious presence that has the smile of angel. The hair, the chin, the unforgettable face that is both mocked and adored I feel broke the internet. Maybe it was his enjoyment of Mexican cuisine, or images of him in Cowboy boots that got people to enjoy his memes. Whatever it is, he helped Norway become a true dark horse in the tournament and came so close to the semi-finals.
4. Shakira
Shakira has qualified for more World Cups in the past 5 than Italy. Lol! But why do I think her song “Dai Dai” was a win? Well, the first World Cup song I heard was “Lighter” performed by Jelly Roll and Carin Leon. I’m sorry to any country fans, but it just isn’t the same. Look, I’m not a country song hater. I have a few choice country songs that I do like to listen to now and then. I also respect the fact that the World Cup was trying to be inclusive of American culture into the World’s game. But it just felt weird, out of place, and seemed more fitting to be a theme song for NASCAR. Shakira comes in with her song and everything I felt went back to normal. Like tradition being reinstated. Something about Latin music or African music that just makes the World Cup feel like the World Cup. Maybe it’s just because of other theme songs of the World Cup in my lifetime from “Ole, Ole”, to Ricky Martin’s “Copa La Vida”, to “Waving Flag”, “Waka Waka”, and all other Shakira songs that I have grown accustomed to. Even Qatar’s “Haya Haya” song felt more reggae than Middle Eastern. Come to think about it, I wasn’t too thrilled for the Russian World Cup song either. I’m trying not to come off as a person who doesn’t appreciate other cultures as I love learning a lot about society and other countries in general, but I also embrace, with respect to others, my biases and I need my Afro-Latin music to celebrate my soccer/futbol. I should probably open my mind more as music is subjective, but hey, that’s just me. Sorry Jelly Roll fans!
5. Telemundo
Speaking of biases. I think the whole world understands that play-by-play calls for exciting sports shouldn’t be treated like golf, nor baseball. Heck, baseball got more play-by-play commentary than Fox’s “did you know” trivia-like coverage of the games. I don’t speak Spanish. I know some words and some sentences from hanging around people who do know how to speak Spanish, but I, in general, “No Habla Espanol”. So much so that I don’t even use a tilde on top of my “n”. But let’s face it. You can hear how exciting it is just by the tone and expression. I want to enjoy my futbol/soccer with the same kind of passion and excitement as the Latin commentators do. The speed, the changing of their tone, and the joy of hearing “Goooooooooooooooool!” just felt like a satisfying Sopas in a cold day. It doesn’t matter if there is a lull in the play, they are calling it as it happens. It’s non-stop. I can tell they are cracking jokes left and right and I have no idea what they are saying! Apparently, I wasn’t the only non-Spanish speaking person tuning in to Telemundo over Fox. Apparently, it’s come out in the news that several other people preferred Telemundo’s coverage over Fox’s coverage. Soccer/Futbol is exciting and should be expressed with the same kind of vigor as our Latino commentators. I hope this is a valuable lesson to our English-speaking commentators to adapt to the correct emotion for our sport.
6. Zlatan vs. Alexi Lalas
Love him or hate him, Zlatan was a hilarious mic drop! A lot of soccer fans eye-roll at the Alexi Lalas’ biased, over-selling, and counter intuitive opinions. Zlatan, probably in the top 3 most self-loving, arrogant (sorry, I mean confident), and no-holds barred football players of all time was just the medicine many of us felt Lalas had to drink. Look, I love his enthusiasm for US Soccer. I want more Americans to be passionate about the sport and our local leagues. But Lalas is so blatantly biased, out-of-left field, and so out of touch to the point of ridiculousness that Zlatan had absolutely no choice but to wack him in the face by back-handedly calling him “Ignorant”. The whole world gave the same face that Thierry Henry gave at that moment. I really hope that Zlatan sticks around and becomes a permanent fixture in the US. Is it Euro-snobbish? Maybe. But it’s better than selling the false American exceptionalism in the sport which many other American pundits understand. US is behind in terms of Soccer. MLS cannot afford the top talents in the world. It doesn’t mean that the MLS is bad. I love watching the MLS and I am a die-hard Azul y Chrome fan. It just sits in the World Ranking where it does, and Lalas is trying to claim it to be higher than it truly is. I want the United States to be top contenders for world-class players to come and play in at their peak and not wait till they have a dip in form due to their age making our league a “Retirement” league. United States is a great country, but we shouldn’t kid ourselves. The sooner we face certain truths, the sooner we start making the improvements to our Soccer culture that is needed.
7. US Soccer Culture
Speaking of improvements. The World Cup ignited a flame in the United States and showed our country how exciting, fun, and dominant in world sports. So many fans have shown up at the stadiums packing it to the brim. United States during the group stages and the knockout stage against Bosnia-Herzegovina made America dream. Made America drool for that “one day we hold up the World Cup trophy” dream. This brings joy to my heart. Many of us fans of MLS and US soccer in general have been clamoring for change. Majority of America has experienced the joy of a goal and in my opinion proved a point that a high-scoring game is not necessarily more exciting than a game that can end 0-0. The sheer difficulty of putting a ball in an 8-foot by 24-foot goal (2.44 meters by 7.32 meters) helps make the goal feel more important than any buzzer-beater shot or 7-point touchdown. It means everything to get a goal. The continuous clock that reminds you that time is running out, the fear of going a man down due to red cards, the heroic moments, and epic fails that everyone experienced in our continent just provided that emotional explosion to the US public and I have no doubt that casual watchers will be intrigued to find more games. But the failure of America to get passed Belgium in an excruciating manner also lit an important discussion of our Pay-to-Play system and the lack of quality youth development to nurture this culture that can bring more eyeballs to the MLS or USL. Many pundits have been quick to bring up this topic which is a good problem to expose. To fix a problem, you need to know one exists. As a fan of San Diego FC, this gives me pride in knowing that the Right to Dream Academy is now in our backyard and I have hope and positivity that they will one day produce tomorrows next big Soccer superstar.
8. Tourism
Prior to the World Cup blowing that first whistle and kicking the first kick, news cycles were adamant and so sure that the World Cup would fail due to its astronomical prices and perception of safety and security of visiting the United States and Mexico. Pundits and talking heads preached how they will be harassed and in danger. Many were disappointed thinking that the stadiums would be empty and that the World Cup will flop. Well, that all went away like a Sunday fart in front of an electric fan. Millions of people showed up to US, Mexico, and Canada! A massive amount of various supporters from around the world not only attended the game but went around experiencing what it’s like to roam around and have fun in the countries they visited. Stories of foreigners enjoying mundane stuff like Ranch Dressing, Barbeques, tacos, and eating in a gas station. The came in droves and drank up the entire inventory of beer in bars and joined in the fun with other visiting fans from around the world. It was in this moment we all perceived that “World Peace” was accomplishable. That fear of trying something different was all in our heads and that experiencing one’s culture is a good thing. The world witnessed the fun of site-seeing and just getting down and dirty with our native population and lighting up their eyes with their experience. This is what tourism should do to your soul. Many people now perceive Mexico and Cabo Verde as a must-see, bucket list destination to experience. Tacos and Hamburgers are now going to be filling more bellies in Europe. An outcome that I am glad to know happened. We need the world to experience each other’s cultures to develop that understanding, empathy, and respect that will eventually lead to “world peace”. If not for a fleeting moment at the very least.
9. NFL Stadiums
Yes. NFL Stadiums are winners. Even though they couldn’t use their sponsorship names. These massive, dystopian-like structures with parking lots that can fill entire cities in various European countries were experienced and made visible to the Futbol/Soccer world. The sheer massive crowds within the stadiums that many witnessed on TV gave that feeling that they were as much a wonder-of-the-world buildings as the Pyramids of Egypt or the Taj Mahal in India. Reports of foreigners who ridiculed the United States for the NFL and the perceived “Ugliness” of these stadiums all walked out of a game impressed at not just the size, but the modern amenities that these venues provided. The roar of 80,000 plus crowds overwhelms vast majority of football fans who have much smaller stadiums. They walked away feeling as if the entire world was in one building. This is a call-back to my take that “Tourism” is one of the winners of the World Cup. Many Americans already know this feeling being NFL fans. But attending these games has changed the point-of-view of many foreigners and changed it for the better in regard to perception of American sports in general.
10. The Viking Row Chant
Of all the chants that I have heard during the World Cup, none was more captivating than Norway’s Viking Row chant. The choreography of hundreds of red-shirts wearing Norwegians imitating pulling a boat paddle like rowing a Viking ship was not only unique, but captivating to see. Various memes and videos on Social media were jammed with “rowers” on Escalators and Airport Baggage Carousels captivated the masses. The most recent video online was even featuring Mexico’s wonder kid Gabriel Mora joining in the fun. The thunderous chant that sounded like “ROO!” with every lean back pull was as if the God of Thunder came down from the heavens and struck the ground with his mighty hammer. I think this chant will be remembered by the world and possibly even adapted in other sports. Personally, I can never listen to the nursery rhyme “Row, Row, Row your boat” the same again. I believe this chant will be heard in the Summer Olympics during the Rowing competitions. Heck! I can even imagine and hear the chant in my head a person yanking on an engine starter in a boat! This Norwegian football chant is indeed a gift from the Gods of Asgaard.
