Sports
Olympic superlatives: Our staff picks for the best of the Paris Games
After nearly three weeks and more than 1,000 medals, the Paris Olympics have awarded their final gold.
From the ambitious opening ceremony to the handoff to 2028 host Los Angeles, the Paris Games delivered numerous memorable moments. Acclaimed stars cemented their legacies and new faces became Olympic fixtures.
But some stellar performances and viral memes stood above the rest. To highlight and celebrate the best of the 2024 Games, a group of 20 staff members of The Athletic voted and compiled this list of our “Olympic Superlative” winners. (It should be noted this is not a definitive list — but a fun exercise.)
So with that, here’s who stayed winning in our eyes.
Most dominant performance
(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
Winner: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (five votes)
This category was for the athlete (or team) who put together the best, most undeniable Olympic campaign.
McLaughlin-Levrone, the American hurdler and sprinter, won gold in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, setting a world record at 50.37 seconds. On Saturday, she closed her Games with another gold in the women’s 4×400 relay, pulling away from the field in her leg, which was just a tenth of a second off the world record.
Runners-up: Simone Biles and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (three votes each)
Biles, the American gymnast, won three gymnastics golds — team, all-around and vault — and one silver (floor exercise) in her Olympic return. Duplantis, a Swedish pole vaulter, won gold in the men’s event and set a new world record at 6.25 meters to break his previous record.
Also receiving votes:
- China’s diving team (two votes) — won all eight Olympic diving gold medals
- Léon Marchand (two votes) — the French swimmer won four golds and one bronze (more on him below)
- USA Basketball (two votes) — extended its gold medal streak to five (for men) and eight (for women)
- Katie Ledecky (one vote) — the American swimmer won two golds, a silver and a bronze in women’s swimming, and set an Olympic record in the 1,500-meter freestyle
- Mijain Lopez (one vote) — the Cuban wrestler won gold in men’s wrestling, a record-fifth straight Olympic gold in the same individual event
- South Korea’s archery team (one vote) — swept all five golds in archery (men’s and women’s)
Breakout star
(Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
Winner: Léon Marchand (eight votes)
This category was for the athlete who most ascended into popular consciousness, the one we couldn’t stop talking about, and whose celebrity dramatically increased during these Olympics.
Marchand, the 22-year-old French swimming sensation, took the Paris Games by storm. He won four gold medals in a range of events — the 200 breaststroke, the 200 butterfly, the 200 individual medley and the 400 individual medley. Oh yeah, and he set an Olympic record in each. Marchand also took a bronze in the men’s 4×100 medley. He proved during his Paris campaign why he’s drawn comparisons to swimming legend Michael Phelps.
Runner-up: Stephen Nedoroscik (five votes)
Nedoroscik is an American gymnast. More specifically, he’s a pommel horse expert who became a household name after clinching the bronze for the U.S. men’s gymnastics team, their first team medal since 2008. Nedoroscik seemed to delight Americans with his nerdiness, and he also won a bronze in the — you guessed it — pommel horse event.
Also receiving votes:
- Summer McIntosh (four votes) — the Canadian swimmer won three golds (200 butterfly, 200 IM and 400 IM) and one silver (400 free), setting Olympic records in the 200 butterfly and 200 IM
- Ilona Maher (two votes) — the American women’s rugby sevens star helped the U.S. to its first Olympic medal, a bronze, in the event
- The Woodhalls (one vote) — Tara Davis-Woodhall won long jump gold for the U.S. and was cheered on by her Paralympian husband, Hunter
Best photo
(Photo: Jerome Brouillet / AFP via Getty Images)
Winner: Image of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina (10 votes)
This category was for the image that most resonated with our voters and best captured the spirit of the Paris Games.
Photographer Jerome Brouillet captured a viral image of Medina celebrating after the surfer earned the highest single wave score in Olympic history in a heat during the men’s competition. Medina and his board look like they’re floating above the water as Medina holds his right arm in the air while making a No. 1 sign with his hand.
Runner-up: The Biles/Chiles bow (eight votes)
Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade celebrated her floor exercise gold medal with props from American gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, who bowed to Andrade while on the podium with their medals.
(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
Also receiving votes:
- American sprinter Noah Lyles wins the men’s 100-meter final in a photo finish (one vote)
- Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates winning the women’s long jump final (one vote)
Best viral moment
(Photo: Yasin Akgul / AFP via Getty)
Winner: Yusuf Dikeç shooting (six votes)
This category was for the star of the Internet Olympics — with a plethora of shareable clips and meme-worthy moments up for consideration.
Dikeç — the Turkish shooter who won silver in a relaxed fashion — came out on top. His chill stance, with his pistol pointed in one hand and his other hand in his pocket, was emulated by various athletes across the Games. “I am a natural, a natural shooter,” he told Turkish newspaper Habertürk.
The celebration that keeps on giving 👀#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/KBX8WJBMKS
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 7, 2024
Runner-up: Pommel king (four votes)
Or, Stephen Nedoroscik whipping off his glasses and winning bronze:
Obsessed with this guy on the US men’s gymnastics team who’s only job is pommel horse, so he just sits there until he’s activated like a sleeper agent, whips off his glasses like Clark Kent and does a pommel horse routine that helps deliver the team its first medal in 16 years. pic.twitter.com/0D1ZqJjFa1
— Megan 📚 (@MegWritesBooks) July 29, 2024
Also receiving votes:
- Appendage accident — when French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati’s crotch got in the way (three votes)
- Raygun’s breaking routine — the Australian breakdancer who confounded us all (three votes)
- Kim Yeji — the South Korean shooter who captivated the internet with her sci-fi swagger (three votes)
- Ireland’s Emily Lane and Erin King’s unbelievable catch in a rugby match against Great Britain (one vote)
Biggest upset
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
Winner: Cole Hocker shocking the favorites in the men’s 1,500-meter to win gold (eight votes)
There’s nothing better than an underdog victory or a shock win. This category was for the athlete or team who best stunned the field and pulled off gold despite long odds.
The men’s 1,500 was expected to be a two-way battle between Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr, but Hocker outran Ingebrigtsen and outkicked Kerr to run off with the gold.
Runners-up: It was a three-way tie, with each receiving three votes:
Also receiving votes:
- Kristen Faulkner winning gold in the women’s cycling road race to end a 40-year American drought (two votes)
- Great Britain’s Toby Roberts’ climbing win in men’s boulder and lead final after the favorite, Japan’s Sorato Anraku, fell (one vote)
Biggest broadcast win
Winner: “GoldZone” (seven votes)
This category was for what most enhanced our at-home viewing experience.
The NBC/Peacock Olympic whip-around show, modeled after “NFL RedZone,” allowed viewers to simultaneously follow gold medal finishes across multiple events.
Runner-up: Snoop Dogg’s commentary
The rapper was a major part of NBC’s coverage of the Games, and good news for fans, it appears this might not be his last.
Also receiving votes:
- Laurie Hernandez talking gymnastics (four votes)
- Discovery Plus (one vote)
- English broadcaster Clare Balding paying an emotional tribute to Andy Murray after his final match at the Olympics (one vote)
Best venue
(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
Winner: Beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower (14 votes)
Iconic landmarks and picturesque views defined the 2024 Games. Our voters liked the beach volleyball setting best.
Runner-up: Surfing in Tahiti (three votes)
Also receiving votes:
- Fencing at the Grand Palais (one vote)
- Cycling road race routes around Paris (one vote)
Best final farewell
(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)
Winner: Simone Biles (10 votes)
It was the last or the potential last Games for many Olympic legends. Though some have not confirmed whether they’ll try to come back for Los Angeles, we voted on who among them had the best sendoff if they don’t return.
Biles is the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history and, at 27, she is the oldest all-around Olympic champion in more than 70 years. Even if she doesn’t return for L.A., which would mark her fourth Olympics, Biles is already considered the GOAT in the sport.
Runner-up: LeBron James (five votes)
Making his fourth Olympic appearance, James was named MVP of the tournament as the U.S. men’s team won its fifth straight Olympic gold. James, 39, is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time NBA champion. Now, he’s a three-time Olympic gold medalist, too.
Also receiving votes:
- Andy Murray — British tennis player in his fifth Olympics (four votes)
- Rafael Nadal — Spanish tennis player in his fourth Olympics (one vote)
Best feel-good story
(Photo: Richard Pelham / Getty Images)
Winner: Cindy Ngamba becoming the first-ever medalist for the Olympic refugee team (eight votes)
There was no shortage of controversy during the Paris Games, including concerns about the Seine’s water quality and a media firestorm in women’s boxing, but there were many positive moments as well. We voted on what most made our hearts melt.
Ngamba, who was born in Cameroon and lives in the United Kingdom, reached the semifinal of the women’s 75-kilogram (165 pounds) competition, which earned her a bronze medal.
Runner-up: Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin biting her medal on the podium after noticing the Italian gymnasts doing it (five votes)
Also receiving votes:
(Photos of Léon Marchand, Simone Biles and Cindy Ngamba by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images; Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages; Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Sports
Thunder lose star Jalen Williams for Western Conference Finals Game 7 as hamstring injury lingers
Spurs force Game 7 vs. Thunder, SGA struggles, Will Wemby carry this momentum? | The Herd
Victor Wembanyama scored 28 points and 10 rebounds in the San Antonio Spurs’ 118-91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the WCF. Jason McIntyre says that Wemby showed up in the biggest moments, and asks if he can carry this momentum into Game 7. Plus, he discusses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s struggles and asks if he will cost the Thunder the series.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder will be shorthanded in Saturday’s pivotal Game 7, as one of Oklahoma’s key contributors has been sidelined with an injury.
OKC guard Jalen Williams has been ruled out for Game 7 with a hamstring issue, ESPN reported on Friday. Williams appeared to aggravate his left hamstring during the Thunder’s 122-113 victory in Game 2. He missed the next three games before returning for Game 6, but logged just 10 minutes off the bench in Oklahoma City’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, which forced a winner-take-all Game 7.
“He’s obviously not 100%,” Mark Daigneault, the head coach of the Thunder, said.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams watches during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 18, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Daigneault applauded Williams for fighting through the injury and doing everything he could to help Oklahoma City.
“He didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what to expect. So, it was a matter of getting him out there in kind of an insulated role and see what he can bring to the team. He’s an All-Star player, he’s an All-NBA player. He hasn’t done a full return to play [protocol] like he would if this was the regular season, and yet, he just wants to do whatever he can to try to contribute whatever he can to the team.”
BLOCKBUSTER GAME 7 SHOWDOWN: FOUR BEST BETS FOR SAN ANTONIO SPURS AT OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
“I give him a lot of credit to get himself out there. He did the best he could. He’s certainly not the reason we lost.”
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams reacts to a shot by forward Luguentz Dort in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game one of the Western Conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 18, 2026. (Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)
Williams did not talk to reporters after Thursday’s game in San Antonio.
Williams underwent surgery last offseason to repair a wrist injury but still played a key role in the Thunder’s run to the NBA Finals last season. He appeared in just 33 regular-season games before this year’s playoffs.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams drives into the paint during the first quarter of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 20, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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The winner of Saturday’s Game 7 will advance to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks. New York snapped a nearly three-decade Finals drought by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.
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CLOVIS — Cool conditions produced a bunch of fast times Friday at the CIF state track and field championships.
Rosary Academy sprint coach Jon Gilmer was worried 4×100-meter relayers Tra’via Flournoy, Justine Wilson, Pfeiffer Lee and Maliyah Collins might get complacent at prelims, but the Royals were the top qualifiers in 45.13 seconds — nearly a full second faster than Canyon Country Canyon (46.07) — at Buchanan High School.
“It’s different not having Calabasas here,” Gilmer said. “Now we’ve got to push ourselves.”
Rosary set a state record (44.23) at the Arcadia Invitational on April 11, but lost to the Coyotes one week later at the Mt. SAC Relays. However, the anticipated state finals clash was not to be as Calabasas dropped the baton in the Southern Section finals and failed to advance.
Collins had a huge lead by the time she received the stick for the anchor leg Friday.
“This is maybe our fourth- or fifth-fastest time but we just wanted to make finals,” said Wilson, who ran the second leg before handing off to Lee. “We want to run faster tomorrow when we go for a PR, the meet and the state record.”
Calabasas might be out of the relay, but three Coyotes remain in contention in the 100, led by Malia Rainey (the top qualifier in 11.54), Marley Scoggins (11.63) and Olivia Kirk (11.63).
Calabasas sprinter Marley Scoggins, center, wins her 100-meter heat at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Collins won her heat in 11.62, the third-fastest time.
Servite won the first heat in the boys 4×100 relay in 40.29 — two hundredths off its winning time at last year’s state finals — and is primed to defend its title in the event. Concord De La Salle (40.81) was the second-fastest qualifier, followed by the other heat winners, Rancho Cucamonga (40.87) and Loyola (40.93).
“We got the stick around pretty good today,” said Jorden Wells, who ran the first leg Friday instead of his customary second leg, which was run by Jaelen Hunter. “Did it feel different? Not really, I’ve done it before.”
Wells said his twin brother Jace will run the first leg Saturday, he will run the second while Kamil Pelovello and Benjamin Harris will stay in the third and fourth positions.
Harris, the favorite to win the 100 meters, won his heat in a wind-legal 10.36, but three others were fractions faster in wind-aided times — Elk Grove’s Cy Lugo (10.20), Will Wood’s Deshawn Seymour (10.34) and De La Salle’s Damari Dean (10.34). Newbury Park’s Jaden Griffin won the last heat in 10.37, setting the stage for an exciting finals sprint as all nine qualifiers ran under 10.48.
Harris put himself in position for a Saturday double by winning his 200 heat in 21.10 but as he did in the 100, Lugo (the Sac-Joaquin Section record holder) had the fastest time (20.73), followed by Seymour (20.88), Camren Hughes (20.93) of Palos Verdes and Jace Wells (21.02). Jordan Wells (21.11) also made the cut.
Newbury Park’s Jaden Griffin, center, shouts after winning his heat in the 100 meters at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Servite (3:15.43) had the second-fastest qualifying time in the 4×400-meter relay behind only El Cerrito (3:14.96) of the North Coast Section.
Coming off a state-record 3:33.83 at the Masters Meet in Moorpark, Long Beach Wilson’s 4×400 girls relay had the fourth-fastest qualifying time (3:46.73) without two out of its best runners (Clara Adams and Saniah Varnado), taking second in the first heat behind San Luis Obispo (3:45.85) and safely advancing to the finals along with Heat 2 runner-up Rosary (3:45.08) and Heat 3 winner Canyon Country Canyon (3:46.77).
Having broken the Southern Section record in the 400 meters six days earlier in 51.98, Adams put it in cruise control to win her heat in 53.53, the fastest qualifying mark. Joining her in the final will be her three relay teammates Varnado (54.42), Wilson (54.57) and Fowler (54.62). Adams later won her 200 heat in 23.60, a tenth of a second behind fastest qualifier Naiaja Sizemore of Vanden.
San Jacinto Valley Academy’s Kaahliyah Lacy ran a wind-legal 13.59 for the top qualifying spot in the girls 100 hurdles and Varnado (40.85) was the top qualifier in the 300 hurdles.
Another showdown is brewing in the boys 400, where Loyola’s Ejam Yohannes (47.08) and Hunter (47.21) won their heats in the two fastest times Friday. Hunter clocked 46.32 to set a California freshman record last spring, but lost to Yohannes by 11 hundredths of a second at the Masters Meet.
City Section champion Jayden Rendon showed good form in his bid to defend the state 300 hurdles crown, posting the fastest prelims time (36.80). He also advanced to the finals in the 110 hurdles with a 13.83 effort. Moorpark’s Davis Benson (14.03) nabbed the last spot.
Corona Santiago’s Braelyn Combe, right, wins the first heat of the 800 meters at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Corona Santiago senior Braelyn Combe won her 1,600 heat in 4:46.88 and is set for a four-lap battle with San Diego Section champion Chiara Dailey of La Jolla, who won the second heat in 4:46.00. Combe is the defending champion, having edged Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa Montgomery by five hundredths of a second in the finals last year.
“I just wanted to advance with as little effort as possible,” Combe said. “It was not as hard as I expected. I don’t want to leave any regrets. I’m taking it one race at a time.”
Combe also had the fastest time (2:08:25) of three heats in the 800 meters.
Venice senior Lawrence Kensinger, who set the City Section shot put record with a state-leading throw of 65 feet 11 inches last week, had the third-best mark at prelims (59-6¾) and easily advanced to the finals. Defending state high jump champion JJ Harel of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame tied nine others for the second-best mark (6-6) heading into the second day.
Aliso Niguel senior Jaslene Massey had the top marks in the girls shot put (51-3¾) and discus (175-6) and transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley was the leading qualifier in the girls long jump (20-5½) and triple jump (41-8½) and was one of 13 qualifiers in the high jump.
AB Hernandez competes at the CIF state track and field preliminaries at Buchanan High School on Friday.
(Tomas Ovalle / For The Times)
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We’re approaching the biggest sporting event North America has ever hosted.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place across the USA, Canada and Mexico in 13 days.
Bettors and fans already have their sights set on the global spectacle, which will kick off on June 11. The World Cup final will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
After the World Cup groups were announced in December, Spain opened as the favorite at +450, followed by England (+550) and France (+750).
Now, with less than two weeks to go, Spain has slightly drifted to +475, with both France and England making up ground on the oddsboard.
Let’s dive into the odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 29.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
2026 World Cup winner odds
Spain: +475 (bet $10 to win $57.5 total)
France: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
England: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Brazil: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Argentina: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Portugal: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Germany: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Netherlands: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Norway: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Belgium: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Colombia: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Morocco: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Uruguay: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
United States: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Switzerland: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Japan: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Mexico: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Croatia: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Ecuador: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Senegal: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Sweden: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
HOST NATIONS
United States
The United States is led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Chris Richards, with several players competing in Europe’s top leagues. The U.S. has appeared in 11 previous World Cups, with its best finish coming in 1930 when the team reached the semifinals.
Canada
Canada’s key players include Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, giving the squad top-tier pace and goal-scoring ability. Canada has made two previous World Cup appearances, and is still looking for its first win ever in the tournament.
Mexico
Mexico’s top contributors include Raul Giménez and Edson Álvarez, forming a strong mix of attacking talent and midfield stability. Mexico has played in 17 previous World Cups and reached the quarterfinals twice, in 1970 and 1986.
UEFA TEAMS TO KNOW
Spain
Spain’s top talents include Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Rodri, forming a core that blends elite playmaking with scoring depth. Spain has appeared in 16 previous World Cups and won the tournament once, lifting the trophy in 2010. The team also won the 2024 Euros.
France
France enters with Kylian Mbappé as the star player, with the 26-year-old just five goals shy of passing Miroslav Klose (16) for the most career goals at the World Cup. France has made 16 previous World Cup appearances and won the title twice, in 1998 and 2018.
England
England’s key players include Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, forming one of the nation’s strongest generations in decades. England has reached 16 previous World Cups and won the trophy once, in 1966.
Germany
Germany features Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich as central figures in a talented squad. Germany has participated in 20 previous World Cups and won four titles, most recently in 2014.
Portugal
Portugal’s top group includes Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, with Cristiano Ronaldo still involved as the team’s all-time leading scorer and cap leader. Portugal has competed in eight previous World Cups and recorded its best finish in 2006, reaching the semifinals.
Netherlands
The Netherlands features top players such as Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Denzel Dumfries, forming a core built around elite defending and midfield control. Memphis Depay should also be on the team, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer. The Netherlands has appeared in 11 previous World Cups and finished as runner-up three times, in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
CONMEBOL TEAMS TO KNOW
Argentina
Argentina is anchored by Lionel Messi, with Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez— headlining one of the most talented rosters in the tournament. Argentina has played in 18 previous World Cups and won three, including the most recent tournament in 2022.
Brazil
Brazil’s roster is led by Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Marquinhos, giving the team elite attacking and defensive quality. Brazil has appeared in every World Cup and holds a record five titles, with its most recent one coming in 2002.
Uruguay
Uruguay’s leading players include Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo, forming a core with elite midfield range and speed. Uruguay has appeared in 14 previous World Cups and won the tournament twice, in 1930 and 1950.
Colombia
Colombia is headlined by Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez, with the former playing for Bayern Munich and the latter having a decorated World Cup résumé. Colombia has made six previous World Cupsand recorded its best finish in 2014, reaching the quarterfinals.
CAF TEAMS TO KNOW
Morocco
Morocco’s key contributors include Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazaroui and Brahm Díaz, each with major European club experience. Morocco has appeared in six previous World Cups and achieved its historic best finish in 2022, reaching the semifinals.
Senegal
Senegal’s top players include Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye, forming one of Africa’s most experienced cores. Senegal has appeared in three World Cups and reached its best finish in 2002, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Ghana
Ghana is led by Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams, giving the squad strong playmaking and midfield presence. Ghana has competed in four previous World Cups and reached its best result in 2010, making the quarterfinals.
AFC TEAMS TO KNOW
South Korea
South Korea is headlined by Son Heung-min, supported by key players such as Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in. South Korea has played in 11 previous World Cups and reached its best finish in 2002, advancing to the semifinals as co-host.
Japan
Japan features Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma as its leading players, blending top European experience with emerging talent. Japan has appeared in seven previous World Cups and reached the Round of 16 four times, its best result to date.
Australia
Australia’s top players include Jackson Irvine and keeper Mathew Ryan as its most experienced members. Australia has competed in six previous World Cups and reached the round of 16 twice, in 2006 and 2022.
OFC TEAMS TO KNOW
New Zealand
New Zealand is led by all-time leading scorer Chris Wood, with 45 international goals to his name. New Zealand has appeared in two previous World Cups (1982, 2010), and did not advance from the group stage in either appearance.
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