After five weeks, a record 104 matches played and 308 goals scored, the 2026 World Cup is officially over. From a purely footballing perspective, FIFA's biggest tournament of all time did not disappoint, with 48 teams doing battle across three host countries and the vast expanse of North America. And when 46 of those nations had been whittled away, only the top two ranked teams on the planet remained: Spain and Argentina.
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.
Joe Hart has defended Jude Bellingham after the England midfielder appeared to hit back at manager Thomas Tuchel following the Three Lions' World Cup quarter-final victory. The former England goalkeeper suggested that the Real Madrid star was unfairly targeted by "naughty" questioning in the immediate aftermath of the win over Norway.
Erling Haaland treated his Norway team-mates and staff to an unforgettable $10,000 shopping spree at a famous western store in Dallas during the 2026 World Cup. The Manchester City striker bought cowboy hats, custom boots, and bizarre taxidermy souvenirs, including a $750 raccoon holding a bottle of liquor, after leading his country to a historic quarter-final run in the United States.
Erling Haaland has amused football fans by bringing a bizarre $750 taxidermied raccoon back to Oslo following Norway's elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The prolific Manchester City striker showcased the unique souvenir, purchased from a famous Western store in Texas, as the national squad plane touched down back in Scandinavia.
Erling Haaland has opened up on the emotional rollercoaster of Norway's World Cup campaign, describing the tournament as the best journey of his life despite a heartbreaking quarter-final exit to England. The Manchester City superstar insisted that the tournament has permanently changed both his country and his own outlook on the game.
Erling Haaland’s uncharacteristically quiet performance in Norway’s World Cup quarter-final exit to England has been attributed to a sickness bug that swept through the camp. The Manchester City superstar appeared a shadow of his usual self before being hauled off in extra time as the Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory.
Gary Lineker has made a bold claim regarding Jude Bellingham's legacy, suggesting the Real Madrid midfielder is on a path to becoming England’s greatest ever player. The 23-year-old’s starring role for the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup has seen him draw comparisons to legendary figures of the game.
England’s dramatic World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway has sparked a war of words off the pitch, with Alf-Inge Haaland left fuming at the officiating in Miami. The father of Manchester City superstar Erling took to social media to suggest the Three Lions were "saved" by the referee, prompting a blunt response from pundits Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Gary Neville.
Harry Kane has leaped to the defence of Thomas Tuchel after the England head coach delivered a scathing assessment of the Three Lions' quarter-final victory over Norway. Despite securing a place in the World Cup semi-finals, the German tactician was far from satisfied with the laboured performance in Miami.
Alexander Sorloth has opened up on his failure to deliver a pass to a wide-open Erling Haaland during Norway's heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to England. Haaland was clearly in a good position to double his team's lead before half-time, but Sorloth opted to go for goal himself, a moment that proved to be a major turning point in the match.
Erling Haaland confessed to feeling "bitter" and "empty" after Norway were dumped out of the World Cup by England in a dramatic quarter-final encounter. Haaland was left fuming with the match officials after a contentious VAR intervention in an incident involving his new Manchester City team-mate Elliot Anderson, which denied his side a crucial goal in the second half.
David Beckham proved he is still England’s biggest supporter as he was spotted belting out a classic song following the Three Lions' dramatic World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway. The former captain was in high spirits at the Hard Rock Stadium, leading a family singalong as Thomas Tuchel’s side secured their place in the final four.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has launched a scathing attack on Noni Madueke following England’s dramatic World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway, brutally joking that a spidercam cable put in a better performance. The Swedish icon claimed the Three Lions were essentially playing with ten men before the Arsenal winger was hauled off at the interval by Thomas Tuchel.
Jude Bellingham has revealed the vital role his mother, Denise, played in ensuring he remains available for England’s blockbuster World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The Real Madrid superstar was the hero in the quarter-finals, netting a crucial brace to sink Norway, but his biggest achievement might have been keeping his cool under immense pressure.
Thomas Tuchel has opened up on his decision to substitute Declan Rice at half-time during England's dramatic 2-1 World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway. Despite battling a pre-match sickness bug to start the high-stakes clash in Miami, the Arsenal midfielder was a surprise withdrawal at the interval as the Three Lions chased a comeback.
Erling Haaland has warned England that they are fortunate to possess a talent like Jude Bellingham after the midfielder's heroics propelled the Three Lions into the World Cup semi-finals. The Manchester City striker was on the receiving end of a Bellingham masterclass as Norway were eliminated from the competition in a tense quarter-final clash.
England’s dramatic World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway has been overshadowed by a bizarre officiating controversy involving a spidercam wire. While the Three Lions secured their spot in the final four with a 2-1 win, the Scandinavian side were left feeling robbed after Jude Bellingham’s crucial equaliser was allowed to stand.
Alf-Inge Haaland was left fuming in the stands as he watched his son, Erling, and Norway crash out of the 2026 World Cup after a drama-filled defeat to England. The former Manchester City midfielder didn't hide his frustration with the officiating, as he appeared to make an offensive gesture and took to social media to vent his anger at the referee and Three Lions hero Jude Bellingham.
Harry Kane has lifted the lid on Thomas Tuchel’s honest assessment of England’s performance after the Three Lions scraped past Norway to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Despite booking a place in the final four, the England captain admitted the German tactician was far from satisfied with what he saw on the pitch in Miami.
The World Cup has a remarkable ability to completely alter the course of careers. There is no grander stage in the game, meaning impressive performances garner the kind of acclaim and attention that is simply not possible in any other arena. Consequently, the transfer market tends to go wild in and around World Cups, as clubs scramble to snap up previously hidden gems or suddenly established stars.
Erling Haaland’s World Cup dream came to a crashing halt in Miami as Norway were dumped out by England in a tense quarter-final affair. The Manchester City superstar, who has been one of the tournament's standout individual, was taken off in extra-time, leaving fans and pundits baffled as Stale Solbakken's side chased a late equaliser.
Jude Bellingham has delivered a blunt response to Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of England’s performance after the Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 to secure their spot in the World Cup semi-finals. Despite Bellingham’s heroics in Miami, the England manager was left frustrated by a performance he deemed below the required standard.
Thomas Tuchel has admitted his surprise at Erling Haaland’s prematch comments ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway. The German manager insisted his squad can handle the mounting expectation after the striker attempted to deflect all the pressure onto the Three Lions by publicly downplaying his team's chances.
Harry Kane has played down comparisons with Erling Haaland ahead of England's quarter-final against Norway, insisting they are very different types of striker. While praising the Manchester City attacker's remarkable goalscoring record and physical dominance, the Bayern Munich star stressed that his only priority is helping the Three Lions win the World Cup.
Norway
