The Ultimate World Cup 2026 Crossword

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Across
  1. 2. French superstar and 2022 Final hat-trick scorer (6)
  2. 4. Only player allowed to handle the ball in the box (10)
  3. 11. Opening phase of the tournament (5,5)
  4. 13. Argentine captain appearing in his final World Cup (5)
  5. 16. Link between defence and attack (10)
  6. 17. Prize awarded to the winners (6)
  7. 19. Brazilian winger known as Vini Jr (8)
  8. 25. Canada, Mexico and USA are the tournament's three ___ (5)
  9. 26. Player tasked with stopping attacks (8)
  10. 27. Historic Mexico City stadium hosting World Cup matches for a third time (6)
  11. 28. Player primarily responsible for scoring goals (8)
  12. 29. First knockout round (4,7)
  13. 31. Football's biggest international tournament (5,3)
  14. 32. England midfielder starring for Real Madrid (10)
  15. 33. Norwegian striker (7)
  16. 34. Venue where World Cup matches are played (7)
  17. 36. Official who controls the game (7)
  18. 38. Defending world champions entering the tournament (9)
  19. 39. Spanish Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder (5)
  20. 40. Spot kick awarded after certain fouls (7)
Down
  1. 1. England's national stadium (7)
  2. 3. European nation led by Cristiano Ronaldo (8)
  3. 5. Rule preventing attackers gaining an unfair advantage (7)
  4. 6. Team leader on the pitch (7)
  5. 7. Venue of the 2022 World Cup Final (6)
  6. 8. Venue hosting the 2026 World Cup Final, known as New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament (7)
  7. 9. Los Angeles venue known as "Los Angeles Stadium" during the tournament (4)
  8. 10. Spanish teenage sensation (5)
  9. 12. Winners in 1998 and 2018 (6)
  10. 14. Round before the Final (4,5)
  11. 15. Wide attacking player (6)
  12. 18. Three goals scored by the same player in a match (8)
  13. 20. Method used to decide tied knockout matches (8)
  14. 21. Match that decides the champions (5)
  15. 22. England captain and record goalscorer (4)
  16. 23. Co-host nation opening the tournament (6)
  17. 24. Last-eight knockout stage (7,5)
  18. 30. Winners of the 2010 World Cup (5)
  19. 35. Five-time World Cup winners (6)
  20. 37. Nation that won the World Cup in 1966 (7)