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