The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered unforgettable football, but it also produced countless hilarious moments that became just as memorable as the goals.
From quirky fan antics to viral celebrations and awkward TV moments, social media had plenty to feast on throughout the month-long tournament. Here are some of the funniest moments that got the football world talking.
Drake loses another multimillion-dollar bet
Canadian rapper Drake lost a $1.5 million bet after backing Argentina to beat Spain, reigniting discussion about the so-called “Drake curse” as another of his high-profile sports wagers failed.
Scotland’s fans turned Boston into their playground
Scotland’s famous Tartan Army once again proved why they are among football’s most entertaining supporters. Fans flooded Boston, singing through the streets, placing traffic cones on statues, emptying bars and winning over locals with their infectious humour.
Their antics quickly became one of the tournament’s biggest viral stories, with many fans joking that Scotland had “won the World Cup of supporters.”
Richarlison’s hilarious celebration after Ferran Torres’ goal
One of the funniest scenes of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final came moments after Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain against Argentina, Brazil and Tottenham forward Richarlison who was watching from home was seen celebrating wildly. His animated reaction jumping, shouting and pumping his fists supporting the Spanish team to win.
Lamine Yamal’s respect to both the biggest football icons
One of the most heartwarming moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was Lamine Yamal’s display of respect for two football icons. After Spain defeated Portugal in the quarter-finals, the teenage winger shared an emotional embrace with , consoling the veteran forward following what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance. Days later, Yamal repeated the gesture after Spain’s victory over Argentina in the final, warmly hugging Lionel Messi as the Argentine captain came to terms with defeat. The back-to-back embraces quickly went viral, with fans praising the 19-year-old for showing humility, class and respect to two of football’s greatest-ever players, creating one of the tournament’s most touching images.
Messi’s airport security check becomes an unexpected viral moment
Before the football even began, Lionel Messi found himself at the centre of one of the World Cup’s funniest viral moments when footage emerged of the Argentina captain undergoing a routine airport security screening upon arriving in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead of receiving special treatment, Messi patiently queued with other passengers as security officers carried out the standard checks before allowing him through.
Yamal’s little brother steals the show during Spain’s World Cup celebrations
Spain’s World Cup celebrations produced many memorable scenes, but one of the most heartwarming came after the final whistle when Lamine Yamal was reunited with his three-year-old half-brother, Keyne, on the pitch.
As Spain celebrated their 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, the toddler ran excitedly towards Yamal while clutching a piece of the goal net. The 19-year-old winger immediately scooped him up in a warm embrace before carrying him around the field during the celebrations. The touching family moment quickly went viral across social media.
The ‘Viking Row’ took over the World Cup
Norway supporters popularised the “Viking Row” celebration, and before long fans from several countries had joined in.
Videos of thousands of supporters rowing in unison spread rapidly online, while even players and celebrities joined the craze.
The halftime show that divided everyone
The inaugural FIFA World Cup halftime show generated almost as many memes as applause.
With Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Burna Boy all squeezed into an 11-minute spectacle, many fans joked that the performances felt like someone repeatedly changing TV channels. Others poked fun at the chaotic pacing that barely gave each act enough time to perform.
Messi’s hilarious attempt to expose Cucurella goes viral
One of the funniest on-field moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final came when Lionel Messi tried to convince the referee to caution Spain defender Marc Cucurella for covering his mouth while speaking.
During a heated exchange, Cucurella shielded his mouth with his hand as he spoke—something players often do to prevent lip-readers from picking up conversations. Messi immediately gestured to the referee, appearing to suggest that the defender should be punished or asked to stop hiding his comments.
The incident amused fans, with many joking that Messi wanted to “report” Cucurella for being too secretive. Clips of the exchange quickly spread across social media, spawning memes and humorous captions about the Argentine captain’s animated protest.
Although the referee took no action, the light-hearted moment became one of the standout viral clips from the World Cup final, highlighting the tense yet entertaining battle between the two sides.
Merlin the duck becomes Mexico’s lucky mascot
A duck named Merlin, dressed in a miniature Mexico jersey, became one of the tournament’s most unexpected viral stars, with videos of the bird celebrating alongside fans attracting millions of views.
