What comes to mind when you think of the top men’s FIFA World Cup moments?\u00a0<\/p>\n
It could be Diego Maradona carving through England’s defense for the Goal of the Century. Or, a legend like Pele or Lionel Messi raising the trophy up high into the sky. Or something more controversial, like Cristiano Ronaldo’s wink after getting Wayne Rooney sent off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[WHEN AND WHERE: <\/strong><\/i>Full Schedule for 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/strong><\/i>]<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n When the World Cup comes to North America this summer, we’ll be in store for many more moments. It remains to be seen if they’ll make the pantheon of the best. Leading up to this summer, we’re counting down the most iconic, most controversial, most defining moments in tournament history. Check out today’s entry, but keep on reading as we count down to the BEST<\/u><\/strong><\/i> World Cup moment ever.\u00a0<\/p>\n JUMP TO: <\/strong>100-90<\/strong> | <\/strong>89-80<\/strong> | <\/strong>79-70<\/strong> | <\/strong>69-60<\/strong> | Stay Tuned For More<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2018, the pressure on Lionel Messi was building. Argentina’s star captain had gone scoreless through two games, including a 3-0 loss to Croatia. He needed to do something against Nigeria. That’s when the Messi magic appeared. \u00a0<\/p>\n Argentina went on to win the game and advance. An unbelievable first touch from Lionel Messi that saved Argentina. And while La<\/i> Albiceleste<\/i> were eliminated by eventual champions France in the round of 16, Messi’s sublime goal was perhaps the best of the tournament.<\/p>\n Vincent Aboubakar made history for Cameroon when he scored a game-winning goal against Brazil in 2022, the first time an African country had defeated the five-time champions in a World Cup setting. The problem was that he was then sent off for excessive celebration.<\/p>\n The Indomitable Lions were still eliminated despite the win, with the Brazilians advancing to the knockout rounds. Nonetheless, it was punishment worth the moment of shirtless joy. It even seemed like the referee felt a bit bad for having to hand out that red card.\u00a0<\/p>\n Trying to shake off around two defenders? You should think about trying this trademark move created by one of the greatest Mexican players to ever live. It was so nice, it’s known throughout the world as the “Cuauhtemi\u00f1a.”<\/p>\n At the 1998 World Cup, Cuauht\u00e9moc Blanco clamped the ball between his feet did his best impression of a kangaroo by hopping between two South Korean defenders. It may not have produced a goal, but the player from el barrio bravo de Tepito<\/i> produced a move that has immediately leaped into the hearts and minds of soccer fans since.\u00a0<\/p>\n Long before he coached the United States men’s national team at the 2014 World Cup, J\u00fcrgen Klinsmann scored a ton of goals for Germany, including this stunner against South Korea.<\/p>\n Klinsmann, who four years earlier had helped his country win the World Cup for the third time, would turn what looked like a routine pass reception with his back to the goal into one of the most memorable goals of USA \u201894 with one swivel of his hips.\u00a0<\/p>\n The U.S. men’s national team hadn’t made a splash at the World Cup in decades \u2013 but that all changed it the USA hosted the 1994 edition. It was thanks to a wonder-goal against Switzerland by the USA star Eric Wynalda.<\/p>\n Wynalda’s unstoppable, curling free kick just before the teams headed to the dressing rooms nearly blew the roof off the Silverdome in suburban Detroit. The match ended 1-1. That point, plus an upset win over Colombia a few days later, was enough to send the USA to the second round, where they took eventual champ Brazil to extra time before losing 1-0.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2006, Germany legend Philipp Lahm scored one of the best opening goals to a World Cup ever. From a distance, Lahm (wearing a cast on his right arm following a recent injury) curled the ball perfectly into the top corner past Costa Rica keeper Jos\u00e9 Francisco Porras.<\/p>\n Of course, it was even sweeter as the Germans were hosting the tournament with high hopes of winning it all on home soil. The hosts fell in the semifinals but Lahm’s amazing technique and control on this goal in Munich will be one of the tournament’s highlights.<\/p>\n Tim Cahill is arguably Australia’s best men’s soccer player ever and that’s due to his ability to score in big moments at the World Cup. That included this spectacular volley at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where he showed his technique and ability against the Netherlands.\u00a0<\/p>\n A looping long pass from one side to the Porto Alegre pitch to the other, Cahill one-timed the shot into the net at the perfect angle as the ball kissed the underside of the bar. A stellar goal followed by his trademark fighting-the-corner-flag celebration.<\/p>\n A new rule was introduced in the 1998 World Cup round of 16: Golden Goal. Score in extra time, and it\u2019s over.<\/p>\n Hosts France were deadlocked with Paraguay at 0-0 going into extra time in their round of 16 matchup at Lens. The ball found Laurent Blanc at the edge of the six-yard box, and he buried it to end the match at 1-0. France advanced; Paraguay was eliminated on the spot.<\/p>\n France went on to win it all, but it would be one of the final few countries to benefit from the cruel rule, as it was scrapped altogether six years later.<\/p>\n It didn’t take long for the World Cup to have its first dynasty.<\/p>\n After lifting the trophy on home soil at the second-ever World Cup in 1934, Italy did it again at France 1938, stamping its legacy forever.<\/p>\n Italy might not be the most famous repeat World Cup champions of all time, but it will go down in history as the first.<\/p>\n Archie Gemmill\u2019s wonder goal for Scotland in the 1978 FIFA World Cup would have sent them to the knockout stage if they hadn\u2019t fallen short on goal difference against the Netherlands.<\/p>\n Gemmill had Scottish fans dreaming of an upset against one of the world’s best sides. In the 68th minute, the diminutive midfielder danced away from three Dutch defenders before lobbing a left-footed finish over the keeper Jan Jongbloed. With a two-goal lead, it seemed Scotland would advance.<\/p>\n But it was to no avail as the Dutch scored minutes later, leaving the heartbroken Scots wondering what could have been. Instead, the Netherlands advanced on goal-difference and would go on to make a second consecutive World Cup final appearance.<\/p>\n 25 passes. Nine players. One iconic goal for Argentina.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the 2006 World Cup (the first one in which Lionel Messi appeared), Argentina faced a stern test against Serbia in the group stage. It was one of those games where the underdogs knew they would have to be sharp on defense to keep a far more talented Argentina side at bay.\u00a0<\/p>\n Except it didn’t work that way, and Argentina pounced from the get-go with an early goal in the sixth minute by Maxi Rodriguez. And that’s when the Albiceleste<\/i> magic took over. In the 31st minute, a patient ballet of teamwork that involved a combination of on-target passes led to Hern\u00e1n Crespo looping a ball to early-match substitute Esteban Cambiasso. Goal, Argentina.\u00a0<\/p>\n Four more followed \u2013 including Messi’s first ever at a World Cup. \u00a0But Cambiasso’s strike stood above all that day.\u00a0<\/p>\n One of the toughest groups at the 2022 World Cup featured Germany (four-time champions), Spain (2010 champions), always talented Japan, and feisty Costa Rica. So you knew that this group was going to have some fireworks.\u00a0<\/p>\n That happened on the final matchday. Germany facing Costa Rica and Japan taking on Spain with all four teams having hope of advancing.\u00a0<\/p>\n At halftime of both matches, it seemed like Spain and Germany would advance, while Japan and Costa Rica would go home. But the script was then ripped apart. In the 51st minute of the Japan-Spain game, Kaoru Mitoma chases the ball down \u2014\u2028it looks out.\u2028But he crosses it to\u2028Ao Tanaka, who scores off an improbable angle.\u2028VAR says the ball remained in play by the slimmest of margins.\u2028The goal stands.<\/p>\n Japan topped the group. Spain also advanced. Germany was eliminated despite beating Costa Rica. Joy and heartbreak all around.\u00a0<\/p>\n Soccer is known for its simplicity of rules when compared to other major sports. And one of the most well-known rules is that when you get two yellow cards, that equates to a red card and therefore an automatic dismissal from the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n Which is why an error by England official Graham Poll at the 2006 World Cup was so memorable. Poll had shown Croatia’s Josip \u0160imuni\u0107 two yellow cards in the group-stage finale against Australia, but the player inexplicably stayed on. Only until a third card was shown to \u0160imuni\u0107 that the defender actually left the pitch.<\/p>\n It was the last World Cup game Poll ever worked as he asked not to be considered for future tournaments on account of his unforgettable mistake.<\/p>\n When your nickname is “El Matador,” you better have a killer instinct in front of the net. Luis Hernandez had that and then some as a star striker for Mexico at the 1998 World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n By beating South Korea and tying Belgium in their first two group stage games at France \u201898, Mexico appeared well-positioned to progress to the knockout rounds. Still, advancing was not guaranteed. And with the Netherlands looming in their final first-round match, the nerves of El Tri <\/i>fans were, understandably, frayed.<\/p>\n They stayed that way until almost the last kick of the ball. Mexico was losing 2-1 to the Dutch as the contest entered stoppage time. In the other Group E finale being played simultaneously, the Koreans and Belgians were tied. If El Tri <\/i>lost and Belgium managed to score a late winner, they\u2019d advance at Mexico\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n Hernandez, with his trademark flowing blonde hairstyle, wasn\u2019t about to leave anything to chance. Instead of relying on another result, the striker known as “El Matador” pounced on a botched clearance in the box by Dutch center back Jaap Stam and stabbed the ball into the net. The goal pulled Mexico level in the 94th minute. When the final whistle blew moments later, Mexico was en route to the round of 16.<\/p>\n El Salvador was desperate to produce a respectable showing in just its second tournament appearance, having lost all three of their games and failing to score a goal at the 1970 event. But a lack of funding meant they took just 20 players, two short of the roster limit, and were the last team to arrive for competition. Add in an overly aggressive gameplan from young coach Mauricio “Pipo” Rodr\u00edguez, and the result was a 10-1 loss to Hungary in their opener. It remains the most lopsided scoreline in World Cup history.\u00a0<\/p>\n The performance was so humiliating that when ES forward Luis Ram\u00edrez Zapata scored to make it 5-1, some of his teammates implored him to tone down his celebration, lest he make the Hungarians angry. Maybe he did; L\u00e1szl\u00f3 Kiss came off the bench to score a seven-minute hat trick (also a record) and Hungary added two more goals before the final whistle to complete the rout.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bulgaria were considered an afterthought. But one man made sure the world remembered them. At the 1994 World Cup, Hristo Stoichkov couldn’t be stopped. After converting two penalties against Greece, the Barcelona legend scored against Argentina to secure a place in the knockout round.<\/p>\n Then, the magic really started. In the Round of 16, Stoichkov bagged a 6th minute goal, as Bulgaria took down Mexico on penalties. Next came defending champions Germany. Trailing 1-0 in the 75th minute, he and Yordan Letchkov scored three minutes apart for the win.<\/p>\n Stoichkov and Bulgaria would ultimately lose in the semifinals, but it was truly an unforgettable run.<\/p>\n Mexico benefited from some good fortune just to make it to Brazil 2014 \u2014 if not for a late goal by their archrival United States versus Panama, El Tri<\/i> would’ve failed to qualify out of CONCACAF \u2014 but there they were, just moments away from finally reaching the elusive quinto partido<\/i>, or fifth game, at a World Cup.<\/p>\n Then their luck ran out. With just two minutes of the 90 to play, the Dutch made it 1-1 through Wesley Sneijder. Mexico captain Rafa M\u00e1rquez was then whistled for tripping Arjen Robben inside the penalty box deep into second-half stoppage time.<\/p>\n Replays showed that Robben had theatrically embellished the contact, if there was any at all. It wasn’t a penalty.\u00a0<\/p>\n That didn’t matter. VAR was still four years away from its World Cup debut. Without video review, the call on the field stood, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored from the spot, and Mexico were eliminated in the round of 16 for the sixth straight tournament.<\/p>\n At 5-foot-7, Wesley Sneijder was never an imposing figure for the Netherlands. But he knew how to rise in big moments, such as his standout two-goal performance against Brazil in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals.<\/p>\n The Brazilians were up early on Robinho’s goal in the quarterfinal match, playing about as sound as anyone else in the tournament. But then the Dutch took over. Sneijder first had a deep wide cross that seemingly floated forever and slipped past Brazil keeper Julio Cesar’s punchout before skimming off Felipe Melo\u2019s head and into the net.\u00a0<\/p>\n Then it was the diminutive dynamo who scored again to complete the comeback, sneaking through the penalty area and finding space for an improbable header. Even he couldn’t believe it, grasping his forehead in delight. But it’s the win that kept the Netherlands marching on and eventually reaching the final.\u00a0<\/p>\n Zaire\u2019s qualification for the 1974 World Cup was a watershed moment for the country. They were the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to make it, and just the third from that continent overall.<\/p>\n But what should have been a joyous tournament for Zaire’s players turned sinister. After losing their opener 2-0 to Scotland, the players were informed that they wouldn\u2019t be paid their World Cup bonuses. They intended to boycott their next match, against Yugoslavia, but relented after threats from the country\u2019s president, dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.<\/p>\n Following a 9-0 loss \u2014 tied for the most one-sided scoreline in World Cup history \u2014 Mobutu told the team not to bother coming home if they lost to Brazil by more than four goals. So, down three late in the game, Zaire\u2019s Mwepu Ilunga raced from the defensive wall and booted the ball down the field. He was yellow-carded for time-wasting, but it was worth it: Brazil didn\u2019t score again, and the match finished 3-0. A lackluster but perhaps life-saving performance for a country who are now trying to qualify in 2026 \u2013 this time with hopes of a better outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n “\u00a1Coreano! Hermano! Ya eres mexicano!”<\/i><\/p>\n At the 2018 World Cup, this is how Son Heung-min and South Korea ousted the defending champions and helped out a very grateful Mexico squad.<\/p>\n Despite losing to Mexico in their opening match, 2014 tournament winners Germany liked their odds of reaching the\u00a0knockout stage at the 2018 edition in Russia. All the Germans had to do was beat South Korea by two goals to guarantee a spot in the business end of the competition.\u00a0<\/p>\n As expected, Die Mannschaft<\/i> dominated the Taeguk <\/i>Warriors through nearly 90 minutes, but the match was still scoreless. Germany was desperate and pushed as many players as possible forward. Then South Korea pounced on the opportunity as Kim Young-gwon first scored. It was then Son who sealed the whole group’s fate with a second goal as time wound down.\u00a0<\/p>\n That meant Germany was out. Mexico, despite getting pummeled by group winners Sweden, were also advancing. A sigh of relief for El Tri<\/i> fans, who gratefully serenaded Korean players and fans in Russia \u2013 and even held celebrations outside of South Korea’s diplomatic offices across Mexico.<\/p>\n The old saying is that you can make your own luck. And this memorable goal by Maicon, which defied odds and angles, is an example of that.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the summer of 2010, the Brazilian right-back was at his absolute peak. A Treble-winning elite defender for Inter Milan and a stalwart for his country at the summer’s World Cup. And it was against North Korea that Maicon produced his signature moment continues to be debated.<\/p>\n As Maicon barreled down the flank and into the 18-yard box and caught up to a pinpoint pass by Elano, he powered a shot that whizzed behind keeper Ri Myong-guk and into the net on the tightest of angles. It seemed that Maicon was trying to actually cross to Luis Fabiano, but instead did the job himself. A celebration followed that seemed more relief than joy, and one of the best “Did he mean to do that?” moments in soccer lore was born.<\/p>\n The United States men’s national team faced immense pressure to make it out of a tough Group B at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after failing to qualify for Russia 2018. The problem? It only managed two points after its matchups with Wales and England.<\/p>\n With the U.S. in desperate need of three points in its final group stage match against Iran, Christian Pulisic put his body on the line to get his team on the board, diving in front of a cross to beat the two defenders marking him and colliding with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in the process.<\/p>\n This goal sent the U.S. through \u2014 and gave Christian Pulisic his World Cup moment. In the 2022 World Cup Group Stage, the United States needed a win to advance. In the 38th minute, Weston McKennie sent in a cross<\/p>\n Pulisic was forced off as a result of the collision, but his goal ended up being the difference for the U.S. as it advanced to the round of 16 with a 1-0 win and three much-needed points.<\/p>\n Brazil entered the 2022 FIFA World Cup as one of the favorites to go the distance, and that hype only got louder after Richarlison’s master class in the Sele\u00e7\u00e3o’s<\/i> group stage opener against Serbia.<\/p>\n After failing to score in the first half, Richarlison scored a second-half brace, and his second goal will go down as one of the most skillful goals in World Cup history. Richarlison volleyed a cross from Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior in the air to himself and scored with an acrobatic scissor kick.<\/p>\n Brazil would ultimately bow out of the tournament in the quarterfinals, but it made its mark on the tournament thanks to Richarlison.<\/p>\n At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the soccer gods did the United States no favors. A group stage that included tournament heavyweights Germany, a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal squad, and Ghana (the team that had ousted the USA in two straight World Cups).\u00a0<\/p>\n Pundits had written off the USA even before the team reached the tournament, thinking there would be no way coach Jurgen Klinnsman’s squad would survive a tough group.<\/p>\n Against Ghana, Clint Dempsey scored the fastest World Cup goal in USA history. Ghana equalized before John Brooks rose to the occasion and netted a header for the dramatic game-winner. Against Portugal, Jermaine Jones smashed a stunner that was mooted after Ronaldo’s last-second equalizer. A loss to Germany still saw the USA advance into the knockout stage thanks to a goal differential over Portugal.\u00a0<\/p>\n With tough-as-nails playmakers such as Dempsey, Jones and keeper Tim Howard, this USA squad proved a lot of folk wrong.<\/p>\n There’s something to be said for sheer power.<\/p>\n Pretty passing sequences and deftly placed shots are nice and all, but sometimes you don’t want to watch the lock get picked \u2014 you want to see a ball hit with enough force to blow the entire house down.<\/p>\n That’s what Sunday Oliseh gave us in Nigeria’s first match of the 1998 World Cup. The defensive midfielder wasn’t known for scoring \u2014 he managed only one other goal in 53 international appearances \u2014 but he knew what to do when a Spain clearance fell to him 30 yards from goal with about 12 minutes remaining in the game.<\/p>\n Fernando Hierro and Raul scored for Spain on either side of halftime, but Nigeria equalized twice. With time running short, Hierro cleared a Super Eagles throw-in deep in his own end. Oliseh caught it on the half-volley and thundered a low strike just inside the post past stunned La Roja<\/i> backstop Andoni Zubizarreta.<\/p>\n The kick couldn’t have been more ferocious. Not only was it enough to give Nigeria the win, but it also helped propel them to the top of Group D. Spain, meanwhile, failed to survive the group stage.<\/p>\n Talk about a powerful shot.<\/p>\n Giovanni van Bronckhorst wasn\u2019t known as a scorer throughout his long and decorated international career for the Netherlands, for good reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 106 appearances with the Oranje, the outside back managed just six goals. And at age 35 in 2010, many wondered if the veteran would even crack Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk\u2019s final 23-man roster for the tournament in South Africa.<\/p>\n Van Bronckhorst didn\u2019t just make it, he was named captain. And in the semifinal against Uruguay, he opened the scoring with an audacious, 40-yard, left-footed strike that grazed diving La Celeste keeper Fernando Muslera\u2019s fingertips and kissed the inside of the far post before settling into the net.<\/p>\n The only World Cup goal Van Bronckhorst ever scored helped send his country to the title match for the third time, and it remains among the most spectacular in tournament history.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve heard of a hat trick. But what about a Salenko?<\/p>\n When you score five goals in a single game, you\u2019re worthy of having the feat named after you. At the 1994 World Cup, Russian striker Oleg Salenko found the net five times in a 6-1, group stage victory over Cameroon.<\/p>\n The win wasn\u2019t enough to help the Russians reach the knockout stage, but Salenko\u2019s record-setting day did go a long way toward him becoming the only player in World Cup history to win the Golden Boot as top scorer despite only participating in the first round.<\/p>\n Salenko also scored from the penalty spot against Sweden to finish USA \u201894 with six goals, the same number as Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoichkov, with whom he shared the award. Not bad for a guy who played in four fewer matches.<\/p>\n We all know soccer stars have a penchant for the dramatic. But Brazilian legend Rivaldo may take the Oscar for an all-time acting performance for his inexplicable dive at the 2002 World Cup.<\/p>\n During a group stage match, Turkiye’s Hakan \u00dcnsal, annoyed that Rivaldo was taking his sweet time preparing to take a corner kick, booted the ball off the Brazilian\u2019s legs. Rivaldo collapsed and began rolling on the turf holding not his thigh \u2014 but his face.<\/i><\/p>\n \u00dcnsal was shown a red card and the ridicule against Rivaldo began. In an era before social media, the video went viral and shown over sports and news and late-night shows alike across the globe. Rivaldo was fined (but not suspended) by FIFA but he also got the last laugh \u2014 Brazil won its fifth (and its most recent) World Cup title.<\/p>\n A heat moment at the world\u2019s biggest stage between two World Cup heavyweights involved a pair of Manchester United superstar teammates.<\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were among the faces of global soccer at the 2006 World Cup. So, when England and Portugal were pitted in the quarterfinals, the world knew sparks would fly.<\/p>\n In the second half, Rooney stamped on Portugal\u2019s Ricardo Carvalho and the referee reached for red. Ronaldo had been pleading to the ref that his Man United teammate should be sent off, and that\u2019s when the cameras caught it: a sly, almost celebratory wink toward the Portugal bench right after Rooney\u2019s dismissal.<\/p>\n Portugal would survive on penalties as Ronaldo scores the decider. England\u2019s dream of a World Cup title ends. And that wink \u2014 love it or hate it \u2014 becomes a defining, unforgettable and controversial moments in World Cup history.<\/p>\n On a list of most bizarre<\/i> World Cup moments, this would have to be near the top.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the 1982 event in Spain, first time qualifier Kuwait had just gone 4-1 down to France with 10 minutes left in their group stage match.\u00a0<\/p>\n Inside the stadium, Kuwaiti Prince Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah took exception, contending that a whistle from the crowd sounded before Les Bleus<\/i> scored their fourth goal, causing Kuwait\u2019s players to stop defending thinking Soviet referee Myroslav Stupar had halted the game.<\/p>\n The Prince strode onto the field and threatened to pull his country\u2019s players off of it if the ref didn\u2019t reverse his decision \u2014 which he did! But France scored again anyway to restore the lopsided victory. The Prince was later fined by FIFA, and Stupar never worked a World Cup match again.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kuwait were eliminated in their final first round match, a 1-0 loss to England. They haven\u2019t been back to a World Cup since.<\/p>\n Diego Maradona wasn\u2019t the only player to dribble through an entire team and score at a World Cup. And if we\u2019re being fair, the incredible solo goal Saeed Al-Owairan managed to pull off for Saudi Arabia at USA \u201894 was every bit as pretty.<\/p>\n Al-Owairan\u2019s run and finish didn\u2019t come in the knockout stage, as Maradona\u2019s slalom had eight years earlier. It didn\u2019t come against England or any other former champion. It began deeper in his own half, though, and he beat one more would-be defenders. And while the Argentine legend picked the lock by calmly rolling the ball home after rounding keeper Peter Shilton, Al-Owairan blasted the door down with a ferocious shot past Belgian netminder Michel Preud’homme.<\/p>\n The goal was meaningful, too. Not only did Al-Owairan\u2019s unforgettable strike give Saudi Arabia a 1-0 win, it also sealed their passage to the second round \u2014 the only time the country has survived group play.<\/p>\n This goal gave Germany hope \u2014 at least for one more game.<\/p>\n On the brink of elimination in the group stage at Russia 2018, defending champions Germany were awarded a free kick from just outside the box in the 95th minute. Kroos lined the ball up from a difficult angle and curled the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Germany lives to see another day.<\/p>\n Unfortunately for Germany, it only delayed the inevitable. Days later, Germany lost to South Korea and crashed out of the group. A masterpiece in a World Cup that ultimately slipped away.<\/p>\n Until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, FOX Sports is counting down the top 100 moments in tournament history. Check back every day for a new moment.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n In 1994, the U.S. hosted the World Cup, marking just the second time ever a North American country had hosted the tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n Across stadiums known for Super Bowls and college football games, more than 3.5 million people attended the tournament with an average of nearly 69 thousand spectators per match. It’s still the most attended World Cup of all-time.<\/p>\n The U.S. would lose in the Round of 16 to eventual champion Brazil, but the landscape of American soccer was forever changed.\u00a0<\/p>\n A new men\u2019s professional league in the country, Major League Soccer, would be founded two years after the tournament. Stateside soccer began to follow the heroics of European teams and leagues. It felt like soccer had truly broken through the sports mindset in the country.<\/p>\n Now it\u2019s 2026 and the World Cup is returning to the U.S., co-hosted alongside Mexico and Canada. In many ways, it\u2019s a final chapter in the growth of the sport here in the country. But in others, it\u2019s the beginning of a whole new era, with this <\/i>generation seeing up close and personal the greatest sporting event in their own backyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n The World Cup will run from June 11\u2013July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" POPULAR SEARCHES BROWSE BY What comes to mind when you think of the top men’s FIFA World Cup moments?\u00a0 It could be Diego Maradona carving through England’s defense for the Goal of the Century. Or, a legend like Pele or Lionel Messi raising the trophy up high into the sky. Or something more controversial, like […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":3372,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3373","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3373\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}