Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team "lost FIFA World Cup 2026 during [second-half] hydration break against Norway" in Round of 16 match. He admitted he mistakenly thought Brazil were in control of game during the break and made a few team changes, adding "Then we had the problem with Erling Haaland's goal." Haaland scored a brace against Brazil.

Spain defender Marc Cucurella has fulfilled his World Cup promise by getting a tattoo of national team head coach Luis de la Fuente. The artwork, inked on his left arm, shows De la Fuente holding the World Cup trophy. Cucurella had vowed to get the tattoo if Spain won FIFA World Cup 2026. Spain defeated Argentina in the final.

Lionel Messi gave personalised mate-drinking kits to each of his Argentina teammates following their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. Defender Marcos Senesi's girlfriend Kelci-Rose Bowers revealed the gift on social media. The set included a customised travel bag bearing the player's name, a gold-coloured Stanley thermos, a mate cup, a straw and yerba mate for Argentina's traditional drink.

FIFA has named defender Sidny Lopes Cabral’s strike for Cape Verde against Argentina as the Goal of the Tournament at FIFA World Cup 2026. The 23-year-old curled the ball into top corner after beating midfielder Alexis Mac Allister during his team's 2-3 Round of 32 defeat. His goal finished ahead of strikes by Eldor Shomurodov and Wilson Isidor in voting.

France captain Kylian Mbappé penned an open letter to France fans after the team finished fourth at the FIFA World Cup 2026. "Thank you. A month full of emotions, in which we pushed the limits of our abilities," the 27-year-old wrote. Mbappé added, "Perhaps we owed you a better ending, but we do not always choose how the story ends."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended FIFA's handling of the World Cup 2026 and hit back at critics in a post-tournament statement. "This World Cup celebrated humanity at its best," he said. Infantino added, "To those spending their time and energy hating us, please take a moment to...meditate, pray, or watch a football match and truly observe the faces, eyes, emotions."

Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has officially retired after taking charge of FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina. The 46-year-old, who became the first Slovenian to referee a World Cup final, ended his international career after 16 years. IFFHS named him the tournament’s best referee, while he also received Italy’s prestigious Giulio Campanati Award.

US President Donald Trump reacted to Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 final hero Ferran Torres wearing the 'Make Spain Great Again' cap during Spain's World Cup victory celebrations in Madrid. "He was essentially wearing a 'Make America Great Again' cap," Trump said. He added, "It was a nice tribute, and I think he meant that very nicely. We appreciate it."

Cape Verde's FIFA World Cup 2026 hero Vozinha has signed a contract with Chilean club Colo Colo, club president Aníbal Mosa announced. The 40-year-old goalkeeper will travel to Chile to undergo a medical before being officially unveiled at Estadio Monumental. Vozinha, who left Portuguese second-tier side Chaves before World Cup, was voted into FIFA's fan-voted World Cup 2026 Dream XI.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the behaviour of Argentina's players after his side's 1-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup final. "I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that calibre, whom I had been praising in the days before," he said. FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incident.