From Star Players to Underdog Victories: Kyle Walker Looks Back on the Highlights of the 2026 World Cup

What has struck me most about this World Cup is the way all the top players rise to the occasion when it counts.

Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe are all contending for the Golden Boot.

We are fortunate to witness these phenomenal forwards competing at such an elite level.

Who would have predicted that it might take TEN or more goals to clinch the Golden Boot in a World Cup? It’s truly astonishing.

When discussing the finest athletes, it’s essential to acknowledge those scoring goals.

I wish I could say the top player is a defender and award them the recognition they deserve.

Numerous outstanding performances have highlighted how these elite players have excelled under pressure.

Each athlete is motivating others to reach even higher for success.

It’s tough to pick a single standout player, as they all seem destined to be named the tournament’s best.

Norway reaching the quarter-finals is certainly an impressive feat, making them a challenging opponent for England.

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Another noteworthy case is Cape Verde, who really delivered a fantastic performance.

In one highlight match where Germany defeated Curacao 7-1, I found myself contemplating the essence of this World Cup.

Nevertheless, Curacao made a comeback from that tough start, and all the lesser-known nations have made their countries proud.

They deserve grand welcomes upon returning home for their contributions to the tournament.

As for the best goal, it undeniably belongs to Sidny Lopes Cabral from Cape Verde.

His bending shot against Argentina, leveling the score against the world champions, gives me chills just thinking about it.

He must have felt overjoyed, especially doing it in front of Messi.

The precision was impeccable, and overcoming Emiliano Martinez, a top goalkeeper, made it an unforgettable moment!

A defender might argue they could have done things differently, but sometimes we simply need to admire the excellence and say: “Well done, let’s move on.”

Scoring once for England remains a highlight I’ll never forget.

It was a personal goal for me to not be the player with the most caps and the fewest goals, and that strike held great significance.

Every player aspires to score for their country. For Kane and Jude Bellingham, it’s becoming a regular occurrence, and I hope it continues.

I once scored in the North London derby and didn’t fully grasp its significance for Tottenham fans until after the match.

My life changed dramatically in North London following that, as I gained widespread recognition.

Goals are what create lasting memories, and for Cabral, this one will be a treasured story to tell his children.

This tournament featured the highest number of teams ever, and I was curious about how the extensive travel would affect the players.

In conclusion, I find this tournament to be fantastic, with the exception of one instance where FIFA revoked Folarin Balogun’s red card for the USA.

The standard of football has remained consistently high, and VAR has handled its responsibilities well.

Let’s hope this trend continues.