Najm Buaeaqal Overview

From Messi's brilliance to the American infatuation with Erling Haaland, GOAL looks at some of the best and worst of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is over, and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. With the expanded 48-nation tournament coming to a close, following a month of thrilling action in North America, which star has taken home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL lists the tournament's most prolific performers.

Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.

Ange Postecoglou will find it “hard” to land another Premier League job following his issues at Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, former Celtic striker Tony Cascarino has told GOAL. The Australian tactician, who delivered title glory during his time at Parkhead, is among those said to be in the frame to take over as Scotland boss following Steve Clarke’s departure.