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Only Four Remain: Who Was the Best Player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarter-finals?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals delivered decisive performances from Ousmane Dembélé, Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Julián Álvarez. The Offside breaks down the standout displays and opens the vote to crown the best player of the round.

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The Knockout Stage Delivers: Who Was the Best Player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 delivered match-winning performances from Azzedine Ounahi, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Charles De Ketelaere and Lionel Messi. The Offside breaks down the standout displays and opens the vote for the best player of the round.

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The Knockout Stage Begins: Who Was the Best Player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 delivered match-winning performances from Youri Tielemans, Harry Kane, Julián Quiñones, Orlando Gil and Kylian Mbappé. The Offside breaks down the standout performers from the opening knockout round and invites readers to cast their vote.

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More from the desk

Best Player of Matchday 3 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: standout performances before the knockout stage.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is over, and Matchday 3 delivered standout performances from Vinícius Júnior, Ousmane Dembélé, Jean Paul van Hecke and Pape Gueye. The Offside breaks down the leading contenders for Player of the Matchday and invites readers to cast their vote.

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Messi, Cristiano, Vinícius and unlikely heroes: who was the best player of World Cup Matchday Two?

The second round of the 2026 World Cup delivered historic performances, record-breaking moments, emphatic victories and standout individual displays. From established superstars to rising talents and goalkeepers who defied the odds, The Offside breaks down the leading contenders for Player of the Round and opens the vote to readers.

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Best Player of the 2026 World Cup Opening Round: veterans, stars and a new global sensation

The opening round of the 2026 World Cup has already delivered memorable performances. From emerging talents and legendary veterans to established superstars, The Offside breaks down the leading contenders for Player of the Round and invites readers to cast their vote.

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Featured pieces

Long reads worth the full ninety

Under 21: 10 Football Talents to Watch in 2026

A closer look at 10 young football talents already showing the tools, intelligence, and adaptability to shape the game at the highest level in 2026.

The Quiet Revolution: How the Inverted Full-Back Rewrote Football's Tactical DNA

A sharp look at how the inverted full-back changed modern football — from tactical curiosity to one of the game’s most important innovations — and why it reveals where football is headed next.

The Cathedral on Avenell Road

Before the Emirates, before the money, before the modern game swallowed its own history, there was Highbury. A ground that didn't just host football — it consecrated it.

Between favorites, champions and underdogs: what to expect from the 2026 World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to begin. In this special feature, The Offside analyzes some of the national teams arriving at the tournament with the highest expectations, greatest pressure and strongest potential to shape the competition, including title contenders, defending champions and possible surprise packages.

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Premier League Awards 2025/26: The characters who defined the season’s story.

The 2025/26 Premier League season has come to an end, leaving behind unforgettable characters, storylines, and campaigns that shaped English football. In this special editorial, The Offside revisits the league’s defining figures through our Premier League Awards: Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Manager of the Season, Surprise Team, Best Signing, Biggest Disappointment, Match of the Season, and the Most Underrated Player of the Year.

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One generation, two titles: PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to secure a second Champions League crown.

After a 1–1 draw in a final defined by Parisian dominance and Arsenal resilience, PSG prevailed in the penalty shootout to lift their second UEFA Champions League title.

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Crystal Palace beat Rayo in historic final to win first European trophy.

With a decisive goal from Mateta, Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1–0 in Leipzig to win the Conference League and lift the first European trophy in the club’s history.

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Arsenal close the season with victory over Palace and celebrate Premier League title ahead of Champions League final.

Already crowned Premier League champions, Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 2–1 at Selhurst Park and wrapped up their domestic campaign in celebratory fashion ahead of the Champions League final.

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Weekend desk

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