The expanded World Cup format has produced a torrent of viral moments that have spread far beyond the pitch, encompassing everything from elaborate fan celebrations to a Ghanaian witch-doctor’s claimed curse on an England captain.
Japanese supporters gained particular attention for their inventive outfits, including Mario characters and sombreros. One fan carrying a Pikachu toy was gleefully thrown into the air by Netherlands supporters, while another expressed delight at the scale of Texas after being asked about the location by a reporter. Norwegian fans became famous for their coordinated “Viking row” chants, performing the ritual on escalators, airport baggage carousels and city streets.
Animal mascots also stole the spotlight. Merlín, a Mexican duck dressed in team colours, became a folk hero and met the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, before reportedly being barred from attending later matches. Meanwhile, a Brazilian supporter’s dog went viral for appearing confused about the colour of a referee’s card.
Player drama and supernatural claims
On the field, South Africa midfielder Themba Zwane provided one of the tournament’s most shared images when he received a red card in the opening match. The 36-year-old’s expression of profound shock at the dismissal became an instant meme, though it came at a cost: he received a three-match suspension.
Off-field incidents proved equally dramatic. In Patagonia, Argentine fans unveiled an 85-foot statue of Lionel Messi while the tournament was ongoing. Meanwhile, Ghanaian spiritualist Nana Kwaku Bonsam claimed he had placed a non-violent curse on Harry Kane during the goalless draw between Ghana and England. The self-described “most powerful spiritualist in the world” suggested the curse affected the England captain’s performance, though he later indicated it had been lifted.
Broadcast moments
Television coverage provided its own viral highlights. American commentator Alexi Lalas made an awkward on-air remark about the physical effects of pre-match ceremony music, leaving fellow pundit Thierry Henry visibly uncomfortable. Another Fox Soccer broadcast saw commentator John Strong reference England’s historical struggles during their match against Ghana in Massachusetts.
The proliferation of such moments reflects the nature of a competition featuring more teams and matches than previous editions, creating additional opportunities for unexpected incidents to capture global attention.