World Cup debate grows after Spain's final win
After the World Cup, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland were valued at €220m, with Mbappe up to €200m and several players boosted by standout displays in North America.
Real Madrid's World Cup rankings were led by Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe, while new signing Marc Cucurella finished as the club's only world champion.
England's men's amputee side, Nations League champions in 2023, need £50,000 to reach November's World Cup in Mexico because the FA do not fund the team.
World Cup referee Anthony Taylor has retired at 47 after more than 800 matches. His final game was Spain's 1-0 last-16 win over Portugal.
Spain won the first 48-team World Cup, which brought debutants and more nations into the knockout stage, but also bigger group-stage mismatches and a flawed route to the last 32 through the best third-placed teams.
Sepp Blatter said the World Cup had 'lost its credibility', attacking Gianni Infantino over politics, commercialisation and the suspension of Folarin Balogun's red card.
World Cup winners Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were given their weight in tomatoes by their hometown after helping Spain claim a second world title.
Manchester United are linked with six World Cup standouts for Michael Carrick's rebuild, including Ayyoub Bouaddi, Antonio Nusa, Manu Kone and Yasin Ayari.
Spain won the 2026 World Cup 1-0 against Argentina after extra time. Rodri took the Golden Ball, Mbappe the Golden Boot, while Scotland exited early and Mexico impressed as co-hosts. www.livescore.com
After Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain, Lionel Messi cannot return to Inter Miami immediately, with a FIFA rule ruling him out for three weeks.
Seven under-23 players boosted their profiles at the 2026 World Cup, with Ayyoub Bouaddi, Gilberto Mora and Alex Freeman among those tipped for Premier League moves.
Pau Cubarsi, 19, became the youngest centre-back to win the World Cup as Spain conceded just one goal, and he claimed FIFA's Best Young Player award.
France defender William Saliba will avoid surgery after a back injury worsened at the World Cup, but lengthy treatment and rest could sideline him for months.
Cristiano Ronaldo said Euro 2016 means as much as a World Cup, reviving debate over prestige, quality, prize money and global reach between football's top tournaments.
A £60m World Cup star is said to want to join Manchester United, with the piece framing him as a stronger option than Crysencio Summerville.
Al-Hilal have agreed an €80m deal for Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville after his World Cup of two goals and two assists, beating Roma to the move.
Liverpool are reportedly targeting World Cup final scorer Ferran Torres, while a move for Alex Scott could open after he rejected a new Bournemouth deal.
Argentina were punished during the World Cup final for misconduct after defeat to Spain, with FIFA scrutiny already under way.
Lionel Messi returned to Rosario for a short rest after Argentina's 1-0 extra-time World Cup final loss to Spain, before rejoining Inter Miami.
Valentin Barco's move to Chelsea could create tension after his role in the England-Argentina World Cup row that ended with Jude Bellingham slapping him.
FIFA have been quietly encouraging a US bid for the 2038 World Cup after huge ticketing and hospitality revenue, with TV rights seen as a major area for future growth.
Barcelona had 16 players at the World Cup, with eight winning it with Spain. Ferran Torres scored in the final and Pau Cubarsi took the Young Player award.
Lionel Messi won Sports Mole's readers' World Cup Attacker of the Tournament after eight goals and four assists, despite Argentina losing the final to Spain.
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere raised his stock with three goals and an assist at the World Cup, and Atalanta now want about €50m amid Bayern and PSG interest.
Ben Gannon-Doak said Scotland's World Cup exit was disappointing despite his strong displays, and now wants to stay fit and impress Bournemouth boss Marco Rose.
Emi Martinez hinted he could retire from Argentina duty after the 1-0 extra-time World Cup final defeat to Spain, saying it may be 'time to step aside'.
