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We all love a good cult hero, and there’s no better stage for them to shine than the World Cup.

A cult hero isn’t quite a global superstar but rather an underdog who captures the imagination and earns a loyal following through heart, grit, or a special moment of brilliance.

The World Cup has seen plenty of these figures over the years. With the expanded 2026 edition, more nations and players took part, giving rise to even more unexpected heroes.

Here are our top 10 cult heroes from the 2026 World Cup.

First up, an incredible story. Born in Dublin and a stalwart at Shamrock Rovers since 2017, Roberto Lopes made it to the World Cup with Cape Verde.

Eligible through his father, Lopes began representing Cape Verde in 2019 after initially ignoring their outreach, mistaking it for spam. Thankfully, he realised it was genuine. The centre-back featured in every match of Cape Verde’s remarkable run to the round of 32, where they pushed Argentina to extra time before bowing out.

Now back in action for Shamrock Rovers in the Champions League qualifiers, Lopes could be set for yet another underdog adventure.

Next up is New Zealand winger Elijah Just. With three goals, he scored more for his nation in the 2026 tournament than New Zealand had managed in all their previous World Cup appearances combined.

The Motherwell player struck twice on his debut against Iran and added another in the loss to Belgium in their final group match.

“As for transfers, that’s my agent’s job,” he said after New Zealand’s exit. “Hopefully, he’s busy right now—because in football, you never know.”

That sounds like a player open to new opportunities. Reports suggest Celtic and Rangers are both interested.

Goalkeepers often make excellent cult heroes, and Eloy Room was the first of three to feature in our list. After conceding seven goals for Curaçao in their opening game against Germany, few expected what came next. In the following match against Ecuador, he made a record 15 saves in a single World Cup game, earning his team their only point of the tournament.

At 37, Room’s resilience and determination turned heads worldwide.

Egypt’s Omar Hassan spent the group stage on the bench but came alive during the knockout rounds. Making his debut in the round of 32 against Australia, he truly announced himself against Argentina in the round of 16.

Hassan’s dazzling run that led to a disallowed goal showcased his flair, and he later assisted Mostafa Ziko’s strike before Egypt succumbed to an Argentine comeback. With Real Oviedo relegated from La Liga, a summer move for Hassan seems likely.

Then there’s Diego Gill, who only debuted for Paraguay in September but became indispensable by the World Cup. His two penalty saves against Germany turned him into a national hero, and though Paraguay later lost to France, his performances remained memorable.

While Paraguay’s on-field antics against France drew criticism, Gill’s individual contribution earned widespread admiration.

Dan Burn, meanwhile, perfectly fits the cult hero mould. Initially questioned for his inclusion in England’s squad, the Newcastle defender won over fans with his wholehearted performances. After remaining on the bench through the group and round of 32, he came on against Mexico and won every aerial duel.

Burn even played as an emergency striker in the semi-final against Argentina—a move that didn’t yield goals but certainly delighted supporters.

Moving back to Cape Verde, Bryan Cabral’s extra-time wonder strike against Argentina kept their fairytale alive briefly. Though they eventually lost, his goal ensured their exit was dramatic and proud. Cabral, who started three of Cape Verde’s four games (missing one through suspension), now looks set to begin a new chapter with Trabzonspor.

While the golden-boot race featured familiar names like Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland, Mexico’s Luis Quinones forced his way into the conversation. His four goals before Mexico’s elimination surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally.

Having won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot with Al-Qadsiah last season, Quinones has never played in Europe—but his World Cup form might soon change that.

Switzerland’s Kastriot Manzambi epitomised the breakout star narrative. A standout in the group stage, he scored twice against Bosnia and Herzegovina and added a goal and assist against Canada, followed by another assist in the round of 32. Switzerland’s decline after his absence was telling. Initially linked with Newcastle, he’s now poised to join Aston Villa after a dramatic transfer twist.

And finally, our number one cult hero—Cape Verde’s Vozinha. At 40, he made his and his nation’s World Cup debut and instantly became a fan favourite.

His clean sheet against Spain was historic, and his popularity soared as his social media following skyrocketed from around 50,000 to nearly 30 million. Even in Cape Verde’s exit against Argentina, he made eight crucial saves. Many hailed him as the goalkeeper of the tournament.

In a delightful twist, a species of sea slug has even been named after him. If that doesn’t make you a cult hero, nothing will.