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Marcotti's Mini World Cup Musings: Messi is supernatural, U.S. get a reality check
After 28 days of games, Wednesday is the first rest day of the 2026 World Cup: the perfect opportunity to reflect on four weeks of fabulous football.
Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
If not for Messi, Argentina would surely be out of this World Cup
Argentina's win vs. Egypt was down to Leo Messi, who seems to be dragging his team to another final.
Top Headlines
What went wrong? What happens next?
Let's face it: The USMNT's coach doesn't matter -- the players just aren't good enough
Maja Hitij/FIFA via Getty Images
Nicol: Why would Pochettino want to stay on with USMNT?
1:07
Down to the Elite Eight
Meet your World Cup quarterfinalists! How they got here, top players, best moments, predictions, odds
Jamie Sabau - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
The 8 most important players of the World Cup quarterfinals
Food for thought
Flavors of the game with Bobby Flay: World Cup favorites
4:04
Sights and sounds
World Cup Daily live: Tournament's 3,000th goal one of most controversial? First 'rest day' after 27 days of action
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
After rejecting France, Ayyoub Bouaddi can end their World Cup with Morocco
Transfer Talk
Transfer rumors, news: MLS clubs eye move for Salah
(Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Assessing KO'd teams
So, Ronaldo's World Cup era is over. Where did each tournament go wrong, and why?
Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Grades for every team eliminated from the World Cup: Egypt gets a B+
Look good, play good?
Premier League 2026-27 kits: Ranking every jersey released
Adidas / Puma
Top Headlines
- Sources: Utd, Chelsea agree $67M deal for Santos
- 2x Ballon d'Or winner Putellas joins London City
- Sources: Arsenal to step up Guimarães interest
- Egypt FA: Can't be silent on Argentina referee calls
- Mexico start Márquez era on 'strong foundation'
- Amorim: I made 'mistakes' as Man United boss
- Messi, Ream, Berhalter headline MLS ASG roster
- Infantino could face multiple probes over Balogun
- ⚽ World Cup Golden Boot tracker: Messi leads
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Venezuela Earthquakes
- Courtesy American Red Cross
Help people affected by Venezuela Earthquakes
Your donation through www.redcross.org/ESPN enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
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- (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Neymar was Ancelotti's gamble at the World Cup, and it failed
Carlo Ancelotti calling up Neymar to Brazil's World Cup squad was always a risk, and it backfired badly when they got eliminated to Norway in the round of 16.
- Adidas
Bellingham, Yamal, Messi unveil World Cup final match ball
In a move that is in no way tempting fate, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal have all posed with the new-look World Cup final match ball.
- Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Mexico's World Cup reunited team and country, created a blueprint for 2030
Four years ago, there was a schism between Mexico and the national team. That healed at this World Cup, and set in motion a plan for success in 2030.
USMNT at the World Cup
- JL Giles/Marvel Comics
Red, White & Clueless: The untold story of the 1994 U.S. World Cup team
Legends chasing milestones
- (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the quest to score 1,000 goals, ESPN provides goal-by-goal analysis of the Portuguese superstar's quest.
- Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami and Argentina.
