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Reports, analysis and guides from our coverage
Nico Williams, the winger who set up the title
In the 106th minute of the final, Nico Williams drove down the left and delivered the cross that Ferran Torres turned into the World Cup-winning goal. The winger was one of champions Spain's game-breakers and provided the most important assist of his career.
Belgium, the golden generation that bows out without a prize
Belgium promised again and fell short again. The Red Devils thrashed the United States (4-1) and reached the quarter-finals, but Spain shut the door (2-1). The last big tournament of an unrepeatable generation ended, once more, without a trophy.
Pedri, the champion's metronome: Spain's quiet brain
He was not the top scorer nor the most talked-about, but without him nothing would have worked the same. Pedri was the metronome of world champions Spain: the player who set the tempo and gave meaning to La Roja's possession.
The three hosts: how the USA, Mexico and Canada fared at their World Cup
Playing at home guarantees nothing. The three host nations of the 2026 World Cup —the United States, Mexico and Canada— got through the first knockout round, but all three bowed out in the last 16. A respectable return, short of a great feat.
Harry Kane, England's eternal scorer still waiting for his title
With six goals, Harry Kane was once again the leader of an England side that fell just short. The captain dragged his team to the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, but Argentina's comeback denied him, once more, the big date with a trophy.
Norway, the surprise package that knocked out Brazil on the way to the quarters
Absent from the big tournaments for almost three decades, Norway produced one of the most surprising runs of the 2026 World Cup: they knocked out Brazil in the last 16 (2-1) and reached the quarter-finals behind an unstoppable Erling Haaland, who scored seven goals.