Over the last six weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup we saw goals aplenty, sensational saves, and unforgettable moments. The sport of soccer won on the pitch, but the internet helped make this tournament immortal.
Long after Spain lifted the World Cup on Sunday, much of what people will remember from this summer won’t be found in any match report. It will live in the viral videos, photos, memes, TikToks, GIFs and moments that bounced across our phones and timelines at the speed of light.
For the first World Cup in history, there were 48 nations, 104 matches, across three countries in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The tournament didn’t just play out inside 16 stadiums across the continent, it unfolded across social media where every celebration, awkward interview, celebrity cameo, and facial expression became fuel for the internet’s insatiable appetite.
FIFA’s TikTok account generated more than 24 billion views during the tournament. Fans created over 20 million World Cup-related videos, and official livestreams like iShowSpeed attracted millions of viewers.
Here are the best viral moments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
“Oh no, grey card again“
The Messi Meme that will live forever
The Cucurella Cat
“I cannot speak English, but I am excited!”
New York Giants QB Jameis Winston partakes in Japanese tradition of cleaning up trash
Kylian Mbappe’s slow motion look
Mbappe truly is a different breed. I laughed while watching the slowmo, suddenly bro locks eyes with me. Silenced me with one look pic.twitter.com/UBTY7FNkNd
— JtheFrog (@JtheFrog0) July 1, 2026
The AI-generated Erling Haaland eating video
Korean and Mexico fans uniting together
A Korean fan was seen kissing and rocking a female Mexican fan while celebrating Mexico’s win over Korea😂❤️it’s always all love in football🫡 pic.twitter.com/9w5cfT0PcO
— Beri🌚 (@beri_grizou) June 19, 2026
Norway supporters perform the Viking Row on an NYC subway train
Madonna has Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as her designated drivers
Anna Taylor No Joy
Posh Spice hates soccer
Lamine Yamal can’t pronounce his own name
Merlin the Duck breaks the internert
Erling Haaland leads the Viking Row after defeating Brazil
Dad buys giant World Cup ball
The loyal 100-year-old Messi Fan
Lamine Yamal’s little brother Keyne steals the show
Vozinha reunited with his mother
Erling Haaland takes a souvenir back to Norway
Mexico’s manager forgets we can lip read
The Tartan Army invades Boston
According to reports, bars and liquor stores across Boston have been running out of beer after the Tartan Army arrived for the World Cup with bars saying they had “never seen anything like it.”
No Scotland, no party 🏴🍻 pic.twitter.com/g0699TI10s
— Scottish Banter (@1scottishbanter) June 16, 2026
Curacao arrives to their first-ever World Cup in style
Curaçao 🇨🇼 national team arrived for the 2026 World Cup in a school bus 🚌 with no windows😂😭…. These guys are creating amazing memories pic.twitter.com/5s6AQbSgL3
— NEDU (@Nedu_brazil01) June 7, 2026
A Curaçao 🇨🇼 fan was spotted dancing with an American 🇺🇸 police officer during a party hosted by Curaçaoan fans😂….. These guys can make anyone dance 😂🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/EtXH1lniKS
— NEDU (@Nedu_brazil01) June 15, 2026
The Oranje Army takes over Kansas City
International fans try Texas BBQ for the first time
Mick Jagger after Argentina stunned England
Belgium trolls the United States by doing the Trump Dance
Belgium trolled the U.S. after a 4–1 World Cup win, mocking Trump after he personally lobbied FIFA to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red‑card ban. pic.twitter.com/e93CsG4gZ4
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) July 7, 2026
The decision is red card!
Balogun activated the Trump Card
Trump in the VAR room
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The Gianni Infantino Argentina Memes
Zlatan and Thierry Henry show Alexis Lalas how’s it done
Jordan Henderson’s bad night when England beat Mexico
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The Messi statue in Argentina you can’t unsee
Canadian fan has instant regret while doing the wave
Lumumba makes it to the World Cup
Ghanaian with doctor curses Harry Kane
Saturday: Ghanaian witch doctor puts a curse put on Harry Kane and England 🧙♂️✨
Tuesday: Kane fails to score as England draw with Ghana 👀 pic.twitter.com/oVdhG7Ul8g
— LiveScore (@livescore) June 23, 2026
Harry Kane’s infamous postgame interview
IShowSpeed cries after Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are eliminated
England fans sing Wonderwall
USA fans sing Country Roads
Enzo Martinez sends Pau Cubarsi flying in World Cup Final
The Odyssey Joke
