Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral won the World Cup 2026 Goal of the Tournament award for his curling goal against Argentina. The tournament also saw controversies, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino lashing out at critics and an investigation into his conduct, as well as Nigerians seeking asylum in Canada after attending the event.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the FIFA World Cup final in protest against FIFA. This decision highlighted ongoing tensions between the two football governing bodies.