The 2026 World Cup had its share of challenges, including visa problems, high ticket prices, and referee disputes. Even US President Donald Trump made phone calls about the event.
Despite these issues, the six-week tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the US also brought many heartwarming moments. These are the stories people will remember.
Vozinha Reunited with His Mother
Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Vozinha, became a star during the World Cup. His mother got to see him play in person after US officials helped her travel.
We're a new kind of news feed.
Regular news is designed to drain you. We're a non-profit built to restore you. Every story we publish is scored for impact, progress, and hope.
Start Your News DetoxThe 40-year-old goalie made incredible saves against Spain, who eventually won the World Cup. His mother had predicted his success before Cape Verde's first World Cup game.
Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar Dias, had expressed sadness that his mother couldn't travel due to visa costs. His story went viral. US officials then waived her fees and arranged for her to attend Cape Verde's next game in Miami, Florida.
Lamine Yamal's Little Brother Steals the Show
Keyne, the three-year-old brother of Spain's teen star Lamine Yamal, became a fan favorite. His joyful celebrations for Spain were often shown on the big screen.
Lamine Yamal, 19, won a World Cup trophy. But his affection for Keyne showed what truly mattered to him.
After every match, Keyne would run to his big brother. He would then explore the pitch, becoming the World Cup's most beloved sensation.
Cheering Up a Crying Fan
A young fan was very upset when Uzbekistan lost 3-1 to Colombia. He sobbed into a replica trophy after Colombia scored.
Colombian fans around him immediately chanted "Uzbekistan! Uzbekistan!" to comfort him. This moment quickly went viral and caught the attention of the Uzbekistan team.
They invited the boy, Isfandiyor Begmatov, to a team training session. He met the players and received a signed jersey and a wolf plushie.
Merlin the Duck Becomes an Icon
Merlin, a pet duck wearing a Mexico jersey, became an overnight sensation. He was spotted waddling around and became the World Cup's unofficial mascot.
Merlin even met President Claudia Sheinbaum. The president promised assistance to Merlin's owner, Karla Gomez, who wants to trademark Merlin to help with expenses.
Merlin plushies appeared in the stadium. After Mexico's tough 3-2 loss to England, a Mexico fan gave a stuffed Merlin toy to a young English fan. This moment showed the true spirit of football fandom.
Mexico Fan Gets a Team Jersey
Santi's school asked students to wear Mexico gear for the World Cup opener. He wore a green, red, and white Christmas sweater to show his support.
His dedication went viral. He received a customized jersey with his name and the name of Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez. Gimenez also sent a special message to Santi.
Bellingham's "Hey Jude" Concert
Jude Bellingham was a standout player for England. Fans honored him by singing The Beatles' "Hey Jude" after every match.
The 23-year-old became England's top scorer in the tournament. He scored his seventh goal against France, helping his team to third place. He was also the third-highest scorer overall, behind Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
Curacao's Manager Gets Emotional
Dick Advocaat, Curacao's manager, was seen wiping away tears before his team's World Cup debut against Germany. This happened as their national anthem played.
Despite a 7-1 loss, it was a moment of celebration. Curacao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. Livano Comenencia scored the tiny Caribbean nation's first-ever goal.
Advocaat, 78, became the oldest World Cup manager in history. He had seen Curacao's journey to the global stage since becoming manager in January 2024.
He said, "At my age, with my personality, the emotion easily comes to the surface. Seeing how far we’ve come, that’s something wonderful to experience."
Curacao coach Dick Advocaat applauds fans after the match against Germany. [Phil Noble/Reuters]
