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World Cup 2026 was the biggest-ever iteration of the competition, and while the 48 teams in the tournament served up some legendary action on the pitch, the fans in North America delivered iconic moments of their own.
Spain arrived at the World Cup as favourites following their Euro 2024 triumph, and they followed through with seven wins from eight games, conceding just once en route to a second global crown.
Sticking to the theme of living up to expectations, France's Kylian Mbappe scored 10 goals to collect the golden boot, while 39-year-old Lionel Messi reaffirmed his status as the greatest player in the history of the sport, dragging Argentina to the final with eight goals and four assists.
However, the brightest moments of this summer's tournament arguably came from comparative minnows, with Cape Verde's run to the round of 32 stealing the hearts of neutrals, for example, and Scotland fans doing the same despite the Tartan Army failing to escape the group stage.
Here, to remember the best of the tournament, Football Ground Guide takes a look at some of the most iconic supporter moments from World Cup 2026.
5. Japan fans in America
One of the things that makes the World Cup special is the manner in which fans from around the globe are brought together by football.
Unfortunately, a huge number of supporters – most notably from Senegal – were barred from entering the United States due to policies enacted by President Donald Trump, but those that were able to enter brought a unique flavour to this summer's tournament.
For instance, Japan arrived at the World Cup in excellent form, and fans showed out in droves to push their nation on as they reached the round of 32, giving five-time winners Brazil a scare before being eliminated.
Ahead of the Samurai Blue's 2-2 opening draw against the Netherlands, supporters made sure to enjoy everything that Arlington, Texas had to offer, with one tweet of a man telling Fox News that “Texas is good, everything is big!” garnering more than 36 million views alone.
The state's Japanese visitors also went viral while trying the food in Texas and relishing in American cultural staples, bringing a wave of positivity and enthusiasm to the World Cup beyond the pitch.
4. Lamine Yamal's brother, Keyne
When Lamine Yamal burst onto the scene, he probably thought that his title as the game's young star was safe, and he definitely was not prepared to have his level of World Cup fame challenged by his own three-year-old brother.
The 19-year-old Barcelona winger was the headline-grabbing player for Spain this summer, despite registering just one goal and failing to provide a single assist across eight matches, though he did come into the tournament carrying an injury.
However, his brother, Keyne, went viral on numerous occasions throughout the World Cup for his incredible reactions to watching Lamine in action.
The slightly younger sibling even joined the celebrations after La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium, producing pictures that his family are sure to cherish for a lifetime.
3. Lumumba, DR Congo's ‘living statue'
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One of the most recognisable fans at international tournaments, Michel Kuka Mboladinga made it to the United States to stand in support as the Democratic Republic of Congo performed valiantly to reach the round of 32.
Mboladinga drew mainstream attention during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for mimicking the statue of Patrice Lumumba, his nation's first Prime Minister after gaining independence from Belgium in June 1960.
The ‘living statue', who is known as Lumumba Vea (Lumumba Lives), was absent from his side's opening group game due to visa issues, but he returned to watch over the team against Colombia on matchday two.
DR Congo may have been knocked out of the World Cup by England, but they got out of their group for the first time, and the image of the living statue will be remembered in national history.
2. Tartan Army take over Boston – No Scotland, no party
One of the early fan stories of World Cup 2026 was about the incredible impression that Scotland fans were making on Bostonians.
The Tartan Army well and truly brought the party wherever they went, but stories out of Boston about how supporters had drank the city dry – multiple pubs did run out of beer – were something special.
Backing up that particular claim was Boston Beer Co., who detailed how Scotland fans forced them into making emergency delivery runs after drinking four times as much as they would typically stock for major US holidays like Independence Day.
Another highlight came when the Tartan Army marched through the streets adorned in kilts, playing bagpipes and banging drums en route to Fenway Park, where they watched the Red Sox host the Texas Rangers.
It is said that more than 5,000 Scotland fans helped to build the jubilant atmosphere that day, prompting Red Sox President Sam Kennedy to write a letter of thanks to the Scottish FA. Part of the letter read:
“Kilts and Scottish flags filled our ballpark with a spirit that has no equivalent in American Sport. It was genuinely one of the most moving things we have witnessed at Fenway Park in a very long time.”
1. The Viking row
While there were countless iconic supporter moments from World Cup 2026, the Viking row undoubtedly deserves the top spot.
In a sensation reminiscent of the famous Icelandic clap that took over Euro 2016, the Viking row became the symbol of Norway's campaign, though in the words of Erling Haaland, “This is bigger than football.”
The ‘rowing' imitates the manner in which Vikings would row into battle on their longboats, and the combination of the motion it provides, as well as the feeling of togetherness and directionality it creates, has taken the world by storm.
There is no end to the clips showing fans sitting down to do the Viking row, with some of the most famous taking place in Times Square and the New York Subway.
Intriguingly, the legendary movement was carefully planned out after being created by primary school teacher Ole Froystad, who was inspired by the chants of Norwegian club Rosenborg and brought the idea to local supporters groups in Norway.
Those groups then spread tutorials online showing how to perform the row ahead of the Vikings' final preparatory friendly against Sweden, one video from which has racked up over 38 million views and approximately three million likes.
Some detractors have pointed out that Swedish Vikings were historically known for their rowing abilities, rather than Norwegian ones, but the genie is out of the bottle and the row will surely be a matchday fixture for years to come.
Honourable mention: Merlin the duck meets Mexican president
There were a number of animal fan-mascots at this World Cup, but none quite as successful as Merlin the duck, who became a national icon for Mexican football.
Merlin may have been blocked from El Tri's final fixtures, but he was able to make it all the way to meet Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum.