
Legendary World Cup Heroes: The Players Who Shaped Football History
A retrospective ranking of the ten greatest World Cup performers, celebrating feats that have become part of football lore.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Kylian Mbappe across Soccer, Football.

A retrospective ranking of the ten greatest World Cup performers, celebrating feats that have become part of football lore.

Despite 80% possession and 19 shots, England settled for a 0-0 draw against Ghana, a result that cements their progression but leaves fans yearning for more incisive play.

A look at how three‑dimensional broadcasting, powered by FIFA's offside data and immersiv.io, is reshaping how audiences experience football and what the future may hold.

The 2026 World Cup's mandatory hydration breaks have divided supporters, yet the tournament's high‑scoring matches and innovative tweaks hint at a lasting evolution in how soccer adapts to extreme conditions.

The Athletic's comprehensive rankings dissect each of the 2026 World Cup fixtures, spotlighting historic wins, record‑breaking scores and the players who defined the competition.

The 2026 World Cup is on track to shatter previous goal records, with 121 goals scored in the first 40 matches. A faster, more stable ball and a 48‑team field are reshaping the tournament’s offensive dynamics.

Record crowds and soaring resale values underscore a growing willingness among American consumers to pay premium prices for major sporting spectacles, while FIFA faces criticism over its pricing and political entanglements.

Despite soaring ticket prices and travel hurdles, World Cup matches are drawing near‑full stadiums across the United States, underscoring America's appetite for marquee events and setting a promising template for the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics.

Through 44 matches of the 2026 tournament, organizers have logged more than 2.85 million spectators, keeping stadiums at roughly 99.6 percent capacity. The surge comes despite average ticket prices climbing into the hundreds of dollars and travel restrictions that have limited some international arrivals.

Despite soaring ticket costs and restrictions that have barred many would‑be fans, the 2026 World Cup is drawing near‑full stadiums across the United States, underscoring a U.S. appetite for marquee events.

Three generational talents dominate the tournament, reshaping narratives and driving record audiences.

When DoorDash mistakenly wished rapper T‑Pain success at the 2026 World Cup, confusing him with little‑known soccer star Tim Payne, the mishap sparked a clever campaign that turned a slip‑up into a celebration of both music and the beautiful game.

In a recent match, Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Portugal against Uzbekistan, marking his sixth consecutive World Cup tournament with a goal. The strike not only underscores his longevity but also places him at the forefront of World Cup history, as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé chase his record.

FIFA is weighing whether to keep short water breaks that have punctuated recent World Cup matches, a move that could reshape how players manage heat during the tournament.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have delivered standout displays in the 2026 World Cup, drawing record viewership while organizers contend with ticket costs, fan transport, lodging shortages and regulatory hurdles.

The NBA Draft conversation is heating up as teams scout the next wave of talent, and few storylines have generated as much buzz than the prospects emerging from Kentucky's recent roster.

A live auction on eBay Live brings together collectors to debate the value of iconic soccer jersey numbers, weaving together personal stories, historic wearers and market trends.

Fulham are close to finalising a three‑year contract with Alvaro Arbeloa, the ex‑Real Madrid coach whose brief but eventful spell in Madrid ended with a Champions League quarter‑final run. The appointment comes as Marco Silva heads to Benfica, setting up a potential early‑season showdown with Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea.

The battle for knockout‑stage spots is intensifying, with teams leaning on set‑piece strength, towering line‑ups and moments of weather‑induced chaos.

A thunderstorm delay tested both teams, but France emerged victorious with a 3‑0 result, featuring Mbappe's record‑tying goals and a glimpse of Messi's all‑time scoring milestone.

A thunderstorm that halted play for nearly two hours gave way to a dramatic finish as France edged Iraq 3‑0, with Mbappe moving to within one goal of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

Lionel Messi continues to rewrite records on the world stage while emerging talents like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland add new layers of excitement.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are rewriting the story of the 2026 World Cup with historic performances and emerging rivalries.

Three positional swaps aim to sharpen France's attack as they seek a decisive victory against Iraq.