​The 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its final leg, and Wednesday (the 8th) offered little to lift spirits for football fans, with no notable match like Panama vs Uzbekistan to brighten the day. With the Brazilian National Team already out of contention for the title, the most sensible course is to heed the playful wisdom of “Captain Penguin” from Madagascar, who advises his friends Kowalski, Rico, and Private: “Smile and wave, boys.” Embracing that mood, OneFootball looks back at the memes that defined this World Cup edition.
Vozinha, the fan favorite, remains a lasting memory in our hearts, but the tournament also produced memorable moments beyond him. One standout was the Japanese supporter’s burst of energy after their elimination by Brazil, followed by Wilton Pereira Sampaio’s pronunciation in English and the humorous sight of Vini Jr. and Haaland “recreating” a scene from the movie White Chicks. The meme landscape also featured the “Viking row,” the “créu row,” a dance mocking the president, and Carlo Ancelotti’s affectionate attitude toward Endrick.
This piece has been translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. For the original Portuguese version, you can read it here.