The Biggest Winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners to come out of this year’s tournament.

Spain:

Spain came into this tournament hoping to prove they were the best national team in the world, not just Europe, after winning UEFA Euro 2024, and they did exactly that. They simply looked a level above most teams in the tournament and conceded only a single goal all summer. Their entire squad played incredible team soccer, while their back line and midfield controlled possession and passed nearly every opponent off the pitch.

Spain have now proven they are the best international team in the world after winning back-to-back major international trophies and are set up incredibly well for the future with many of their stars still at a young age. The reigning champions will relish the opportunity to defend their World Cup title in 2030 on home soil, with Spain serving as one of the tournament’s hosts alongside Portugal and Morocco

Norway:

While many fans were aware of Norway’s potential after they went undefeated in World Cup qualifying, they still surpassed expectations by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in the nation’s history. Norway became one of the tournament’s biggest dark horses, first advancing from Group I, which many considered this World Cup’s “group of death,” before defeating Ivory Coast in the Round of 32 and pulling off a massive upset over Brazil in the Round of 16.

Experienced stars such as Erling Haaland (seven tournament goals) and Martin Ødegaard led by example, before Norway eventually fell 2-1 to England in a highly contested quarterfinal. Norway’s success, along with its famous rowing celebration, became one of the biggest stories of the tournament, and the nation can take plenty of positives away as it looks toward the future.

Paraguay:

Another team that surpassed expectations this summer was Paraguay. They had a rough start to the tournament, losing their opening match to the USA 4-1. However, Paraguay rallied impressively by defeating a young and talented Turkey side 1-0 before drawing their final group-stage match to advance to the knockout stage.

After making it out of the group, Paraguay were huge underdogs against 2014 World Cup champions Germany. However, they defied the odds and put on a defensive masterclass, defeating Germany in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Paraguay showed composure throughout the match and built their success around a disciplined defensive performance.

Goalkeeper Orlando Gill came up huge in the shootout, saving two penalties to send Paraguay into the Round of 16. That same heart and discipline even gave a dominant France side a difficult test in the Round of 16, where France prevailed 1-0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty.

Despite that narrow loss, Paraguay will view this World Cup campaign as a major success and will look to carry that same grit and talent into its next major tournament, likely the 2028 Copa América.