How will 2026 World Cup be remembered: Messi? Haaland? Cape Verde? Trump?

ESPN has published a feature ranking the nine top storylines from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting figures such as Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Cape Verde as among the tournament's defining narratives. The piece notes that Haaland and Cape Verde's Vozinha were the most followed individuals on Instagram during the competition. The tournament, held in part under the political backdrop of Donald Trump, is described as having both inspired and incensed audiences worldwide.