The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America offered many brilliant displays of individual brilliance, but ultimately, it was set-piece supremacy that commanded attention within the grounds of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Among the ranks of premier dead-ball experts on display, there were several awe-inspiring free kicks scored which rendered world-class shot stoppers static, leaving them hapless as their goal was put in the back of the net.
Here’s an ultimate ranking of the 5 best free kick goals from the FIFA World Cup 2026, including important details of the match, technical skill and importance of the strike itself.
Lionel Messi | Argentina Vs Jordan
Argentina captain Lionel Messi produced an iconic dead ball moment during La Albiceleste’s 3 to 1 group stage victory against Jordan at Dallas Stadium. With the match tied late in the second half, Argentina earned a direct set piece 25 yards out from goal. Stepping up under heavy expectation, Messi struck a left-footed curling shot directly over the defensive wall into the top right corner. The precise trajectory completely stranded the Jordanian goalkeeper, sealing three vital group points for the defending champions.
Giovani Lo Celso| Argentina vs Jordan
In the same Group J clash against Jordan at Dallas Stadium, midfielder Giovani Lo Celso also found the back of the net directly from a dead ball situation. Argentina earned a set piece on the edge of the penalty box, where Lo Celso stepped up and struck a low, bending effort past the wall into the bottom corner. Argentina became one of only two teams in the tournament, along with the United States, to register multiple direct free kick goals in a single World Cup match.
Kevin Pina | Cape Verde Vs Uruguay
Cape Verde midfielder Kevin Pina recorded one of the most stunning long-range set pieces of the tournament during their Group H match against South American heavyweights Uruguay at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Standing 35 yards away from goal, Pina hit a powerful right-footed knuckleball strike that swerved unpredictably through the air before crashing into the top corner. The 21st-minute dead-ball strike gave Cape Verde an early lead and established momentum during their historic tournament run.
This is how you announce yourself on the #FIFAWorldCup26 stage. 😎
Kevin Pina writes his name into #CaboVerde history books after converting a stunning free-kick against Uruguay (22/06/26), the Country’s first-ever goal at the FIFA World Cup🙌#AbaBet #BetSmallWinBig
🎥Courtesy pic.twitter.com/bvWyQzWO4j— AbaBet Uganda (@AbaBetUG) June 22, 2026
Azzedine Ounahi | Morocco Vs Canada
Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi scored one of the cleverest group stage set-piece goals during his side’s victory over co-hosts Canada at Toronto Stadium. Instead of taking a direct shot over the wall, Morocco executed a pre-rehearsed free kick routine where Ounahi feigned a cross before slipping the ball under the jumping Canadian wall. The low slotted effort caught the opposition off guard, nestling neatly into the bottom corner to complete a tactical set piece masterclass.
Bukayo Saka | England Vs France
England winger Bukayo Saka delivered a historic individual performance during the Three Lions’ 6- 4 third-place bronze final victory over France at Miami Stadium. In the 72nd minute of a chaotic ten-goal thriller, Saka stood over a direct free kick 24 yards out on the right flank. The Arsenal attacker curled a left-footed, bending effort around the French wall into the bottom corner, beating the goalkeeper to complete his hat trick and secure England’s bronze medal victory.
