The article discusses what the 2026 World Cup will be remembered for, noting that every tournament eventually gets defined by one iconic moment. Previous examples include Lionel Messi's 2022 triumph, Kylian Mbappé's 2018 breakout, Germany's 7-1 over Brazil in 2014, and Zidane's headbutt in 2006.

The author evaluates nine possibilities for 2026, from least to most likely. These include soccer "making it in America" despite record viewership, President Trump's intervention to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card (which didn't prevent a Round of 16 exit), and Cape Verde's impressive debut as a nation of 550,000 people that drew with Spain and nearly forced Argentina to penalties.

Other candidates: widespread hatred of VAR technology, and Kylian Mbappé setting the all-time World Cup scoring record with 22 career goals, surpassing Messi. The expanded 48-team format produced commercial success and competitive parity, but no single defining image has emerged yet.