Spain Wins 2026 World Cup; Mbappé Claims Golden Boot
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- Spain won the 2026 World Cup by defeating Argentina after a 39-day tournament featuring 48 teams and 104 games.
- Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot with 10 tournament goals, including two against England in the bronze medal match, though Ogden notes he was "sensational in every game other than the semifinal against Spain."
- Erling Haaland matched Poland's Grzegorz Lato's 1974 record with 7 goals on his World Cup debut for Norway, with Ogden highlighting his "enigmatic personality" and willingness "to have fun on social media."
- Jude Bellingham scored 7 goals for England as a midfielder, making Ogden's Best XI despite not playing in the forward line.
- Lionel Messi starred at his sixth World Cup at age 39, with Ogden stating Argentina "would have been out well before the quarterfinals without their magical captain."
- Neymar made Brazil's squad under Carlo Ancelotti despite injury problems, played only 37 minutes in total, and Ogden argues his selection denied Chelsea's João Pedro a deserved call-up.
- Florian Wirtz produced a no-show for Germany at the World Cup and now faces a "huge season" at Liverpool to justify his £116.5 million transfer fee after his first season was called "lamentable."
Why it matters: Thomas Tuchel's bold call to start Djed Spence over Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold was validated as England reached the semifinal, while Ancelotti's squad selection of an injury-limited Neymar over Chelsea's João Pedro is now publicly second-guessed. Wirtz faces immediate scrutiny at Anfield after his £116.5 million fee met a "lamentable" Germany display.
