2026 World Cup: The 12 goals in contention for the tournament’s best goal revealed! (Official)

FIFA has shortlisted twelve spectacular strikes for its ultimate individual award, featuring global superstars and a few unexpected revelations.

The 2026 World Cup has crowned Spain as champion, but one final honor remains up for grabs. After recording 308 goals during the tournament, FIFA has unveiled the twelve finalists for the award recognizing the competition’s most beautiful goal.

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Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham are among the nominees. Ferran Torres’s title-winning goal against Argentina also made the list, as did several stunning efforts from players representing less-expected national teams.

The 12 nominated goals:

• Kylian Mbappé: his second goal for France against Senegal
• Lionel Messi: his first goal for Argentina against Algeria
• Jude Bellingham: for England against France
• Julián Álvarez: for Argentina against Switzerland
• Ferran Torres: for Spain against Argentina
• Erling Haaland: his second goal for Norway against Brazil
• Sidny Lopes Cabral: for Cape Verde against Argentina
• Wilson Isidor: for Haiti against Morocco
• Eldor Shomurodov: for Uzbekistan against DR Congo
• Kerim Alajbegović: for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Qatar
• Elijah Just: his first goal for New Zealand against Iran
• Daizen Maeda: for Japan against Sweden

Fans can vote on FIFA’s official platform until July 27, 2026. The name of the overall winner will be revealed after voting closes.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.