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England's Declan Rice (R) blocks a shot on goal from Mexico's Gilberto Mora during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 knockout match between England and Mexico at Mexico City Stadium. Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane: The World Cup was defined by the superstars of world football.
But others also attracted great attention during the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, not only players but also a referee:
Vozinha
He drove Lionel Messi to despair, frustrated Spain's stars and wrote the story of this World Cup: Josimar José Évora Dias, known as Vozinha. The 40-year-old goalkeeper from Cape Verde kept a clean sheet against European champions Spain and was then one of the main reasons Argentina had to suffer through extra time in the round of 32.
Before the tournament he had fewer than 50,000 followers on Instagram; by the final weekend, he surpassed 29 million. This new-found fame now makes him interesting beyond his goalkeeping abilities. Which club will benefit remains unclear — Vozinha is currently without a club.
"That's the first thing I want to sort out. I love football. I have this passion. I want to play for at least another one or two years," he said recently. "I hope I find a team that wants me as a footballer and not as a marketing figure." There are rumours of interest from Brazil, Chile — and from Messi's club Inter Miami.
Ismael Saibari
Three goals in his first three World Cup matches, including a composed chip against Brazil: Ismael Saibari secured the attention of the football world early in the tournament — and he had already caught Bayern Munich's eye before that. Partly because the German record champions had long pursued the Morocco forward the 25-year-old is now a Bayern player in a move from PSV Eindhoven reportedly worth €50 million ($57.2 million).
The World Cup, however, ended unhappily for him. He had to leave the field after just 22 minutes in the round of 16 match against Canada with a muscle injury, and he did not play at all in the quarter-final defeat to France.
Gilberto Mora
The youngest participant in the World Cup impressed not only Mexican fans: Gilberto Mora delivered a more than convincing World Cup debut and at just 17 is already a star far beyond the borders of his homeland. He gained 5.7 million new Instagram followers alone; according to media reports, only five footballers experienced greater growth during the World Cup.
The teenager is under contract with the Tijuana club and signed a new deal until 2029 just before the World Cup. However, the club's statement at the time also included this crucial passage regarding potential transfer activity after the tournament: "The agreement includes a tailor-made and clearly structured exit mechanism, developed jointly by the club, the player and his advisor."
Johan Manzambi
Who knows how Switzerland would have fared against Argentina in the quarter-finals if Johan Manzambi had not been sidelined through injury — but he was certainly missed against the defending champions who prevailed in extra time.
The 20-year-old developed from a substitute into a regular starter under coach Murat Yakin, scoring three goals and providing two assists before suffering an injury in training ahead of the round of 16 match against Colombia.
Hhe has now left German club Freiburg for England's Aston Villa in a package reportedly worth up to €70 million ($80 million) which makes him the most expensive Swiss player ever.
Ørjan Nyland
Without Erling Haaland's goals the story of the rowing and drumming Norwegians would have ended early, but they needed the outstanding Nyland in goal as well to reach the quarter-finals against England.
Nyland saved an early penalty against Brazil in the round of 16, laying the foundation for the greatest victory in Norwegian football history. But the bitter end came in extra time of the quarter-final agai'nst England when he failed to hold on to a shot which allowed Jude Bellingham to score the winner.
What comes next for the 26-year-old remains unclear. His contract with Spanish club Sevilla expired at the end of June, and he is currently a free agent. Rumours link him with clubs in the English Premier League Dutch side Feyenoord have also been mentioned.
Iván Barton
Iván Barton was simply doing his job. The referee from El Salvador reviewed an incident during the group stage match between Turkey and Paraguay at the instruction of the VAR and then delivered the now-legendary words: "After Review. Number 10. Paraguay. Covered his mouth. Decision is: Red Card!" The moment has since inspired memes and even a song.
Barton became the first referee to send off a player, Paraguay's Miguel Almirón, for covering his mouth during an altercation with an opponent. The rule had only been introduced shortly before the World Cup and is intended to prevent discrimination against opponents.
Barton went on to officiate four matches at the tournament, including the semi-final between Spain and France.
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