The 2026 FIFA World Cup has wrapped up, marking an exciting chapter in football history. While Argentina fell short in its bid for back-to-back titles, Spain emerged victorious, capturing its second World Cup trophy. Kylian Mbappé once again claimed the Golden Boot, while Lionel Messi further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
Team Performances at the World Cup
This inaugural 48-team World Cup delivered unforgettable moments, from Cape Verde’s surprising advancement to the Round of 32 to Erling Haaland’s impressive seven-goal debut. England also made headlines with a thrilling 6-4 win over France in the third-place match. As the tournament concludes, the focus shifts to the performance grades for teams hailing from America, Mexico, and Canada.
The following assessments cover several participating teams, rated from an impressive A to a dismal F.
Spain
Final Grade: A
Spain’s national team showcased exceptional skill, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament. Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, the team extended its unbeaten streak to 38 matches, firmly establishing itself as the world’s top footballing nation.
Cape Verde
Final Grade: A
The unheralded Cape Verde squad captured attention as they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. Their standout performance included a goalless draw against Spain in the Round of 32, where they also sent Argentina into extra time.
Argentina
Final Grade: C
Argentina’s journey was tumultuous. Had Lionel Messi been penalized for a severe foul during the opening match against Algeria, their progress to the knockout stage may have been jeopardized. Though Messi led Argentina to the finals, a disappointing loss to Spain was marred by unsportsmanlike behavior.
England
Final Grade: C
Reaching the semi-finals is commendable, yet England faltered when they needed to maintain control, ultimately losing to Argentina. Their failure to capitalize on an early lead in that match revealed the team’s inability to progress to the final.
United States
Final Grade: C
For the U.S. team, expectations were set high, with reaching the Round of 16 seen as the minimum requirement. Unfortunately, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad faced a disappointing defeat against Belgium, highlighting the challenges they need to overcome in future tournaments.
Germany
Final Grade: F
Germany’s elimination in the Round of 32 against Paraguay marked a significant downturn for this historically successful team, leading to coach Julian Nagelsmann’s dismissal. This was their first penalty shootout loss since 1976, showcasing a disappointing performance.
Brazil
Final Grade: F
Brazil, a five-time World Cup winner, endured its worst tournament showing in 36 years. Despite significant changes, including hiring renowned coach Carlo Ancelotti, the team failed to advance past the Round of 16, leading to widespread disappointment among fans.
Star Players of the Tournament
The 2026 World Cup also shone a spotlight on several standout players who contributed to the excitement of the event.
Erling Haaland
Final Grade: A
Norwegian striker Erling Haaland made a significant impact during his World Cup debut, netting seven goals and propelling Norway to the quarter-finals. His dynamic personality further endeared him to the fans, enhancing his status on the global stage.
Kylian Mbappé
Final Grade: A
French forward Kylian Mbappé demonstrated his elite skills by scoring 10 goals and winning the Golden Boot for a second consecutive time, reinforcing his status as the top player in the world.
Lionel Messi
Final Grade: B
Despite scoring eight goals throughout the tournament, Messi’s final match against Spain did not reflect his exceptional abilities, as he failed to score and fell short of an A grade. Even the best can experience off days.
Lamine Yamal
Final Grade: C
At just 19 years old, Yamal has already secured both a World Cup and a European Championship. While his achievements are commendable, his relatively quiet performance with Spain this tournament did not fully showcase his potential.
Thomas Tuchel
Final Grade: D
Tasked with elevating England’s performance, Tuchel struggled to assert control over the team, ultimately leading to a familiar collapse reminiscent of the previous coach’s tenure.
Mauricio Pochettino
Final Grade: D
Pochettino faced high expectations as coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, but, akin to Tuchel, he could not prevent a quick exit following their initial success in the group stage.
Christian Pulisic
Final Grade: D
As a key player, Pulisic bore the weight of national expectations. At 27, he remains a solid player for the USMNT, but opportunities to shine in another World Cup have slipped away.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Final Grade: D
Despite reaching the World Cup at 41, Ronaldo’s performance fell short of expectations, raising questions about his impact on the Portuguese squad.
Gianni Infantino
Final Grade: F
The FIFA president faced criticism amid various controversies, overshadowing the tournament’s success with a series of questionable decisions.
Marcelo Bielsa
Final Grade: F
Bielsa’s coaching tenure with Uruguay suffered a significant blow as the team exited in the group stage, leading to a wave of criticism that may have permanent repercussions on his coaching career.
