The football frenzy is underway, and the World Cup 2026 is sure to deliver some freaky moments, as it always has. That's not surprising given the eccentric characters who have graced the sport's greatest international tournament. Here, James Moore presents the ultimate A-Z of oddballs from the finals.
A is for Acting
Brazilian Rivaldo should have won an Oscar after he famously fell to the floor, writhing and clutching his face after a ball merely hit his legs against Turkey at the 2002 World Cup. Shameful.
B is for Biting
Serial muncher Luis Suarez bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup. The Uruguayan striker later said: "I know biting appalls a lot of people, but it's relatively harmless."
C is for Ciggies
USSR goalkeeper Lev Yashin starred at World Cups between 1958 and 1966, despite smoking four packets of cigarettes a day and drinking vodka before games.
D is for Diets
Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff credited eating eight eggs a day as a youngster for helping him win the World Cup in 1982. Norway's Erling Haaland, starring at the 2026 Cup, enjoys kebab pizza.
E is for El Loco
Flamboyant Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita, known for inventing the scorpion kick, was famed for his dangerous dribbling into midfield, earning him the nickname 'Madman'.
F is for Freaky
Santiago Canizares represented Spain in goal at three World Cups but was ruled out of the 2002 finals after glass from a smashed aftershave bottle went into his foot.
G is for Gazza
Paul Gascoigne famously ended up in tears at the semi-final of Italia 90, but England's maverick kept fans laughing with his crazy antics, including donning fake breasts.
H is for Headbutt
Zany Frenchman Zinedine Zidane famously saw red at the 2006 World Cup final when he headbutted Italian midfielder Marco Materazzi in the chest. He immediately retired.
I is for Injury
During the 1986 final against West Germany, Argentina's Jose Luis Brown dislocated his shoulder but played on, pushing a hole through his shirt to make it into a sling.
J is for Joker
Italy's madcap striker Mario Balotelli filled in the whole Italian team in his 2014 Panini sticker album with pictures of himself.
K is for Kooky
At the 1974 World Cup, Zaire's Mwepu Ilunga bizarrely sprinted out of the defensive wall before a Brazilian free-kick and booted the ball away.
L is for Limbs
Uruguayan Hector Castro lost his right arm in a chainsaw accident. It didn't stop him scoring the winning goal in the 1930 World Cup final.
M is for Maradona
After his controversial goal against England at the 1986 World Cup, only Argentinian maverick Diego Maradona would say it was achieved with: "A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God."
N is for Nobby
England's toothless 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles decided not to wear his dentures to play the match or to put his falsies back in to meet the Queen afterwards.
O is for Oldie
Cameroon's Roger Milla became the oldest player to score in World Cup finals in 1990 and again in 1994, at age 42, and was famous for his wiggle goal celebration at the corner flag.
P is for Pet
As well as women and booze, Brazilian star Garrincha loved animals. He adopted a stray dog that ran onto the pitch at a 1962 World Cup match with England, calling it 'Jimmy Greaves'.
Q is for Quirky
At the 1998 World Cup, the entire Romanian team weirdly dyed their hair blond for a game against Tunisia.
R is for Rumpus
In the run-up to the 2002 finals, Ireland's Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy had a barmy bust-up that saw the player sensationally leave the World Cup squad.
S is for Spat
In 1990, Dutch player Frank Rijkaard disgustingly spat into the hair of West Germany's Rudi Voller. They ended up scrapping but would later star in a butter advert together.
T is for Tattoo
Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla oddly got a tattoo picturing the moment his shot hit the crossbar in a defeat by Brazil at the 2014 tournament.
U is for Urine
At the 1990 World Cup, Argentina's goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea developed a superstition of urinating on the pitch during the match for good luck.
V is for Valderrama
Carlos Valderrama captained Colombia in three World Cup finals in 1990, 1994, and 1998 and was famous for his trademark mop of frizzy hair.
W is for Work
After going to the 2010 World Cup, German goalkeeper Tim Wiese took up a wrestling career. Ray Wilson from England's 1966 World Cup squad became an undertaker.
X is for X-Rated
After winning the 2002 World Cup, straight-talking Brazilian Ronaldo said of nookie: "Both are very hard to go without, but I don't think sex could ever be as rewarding as winning the World Cup."
Y is for Yikes
At the 1938 World Cup, Italian skipper Giuseppe Meazza stepped up to take a penalty when his shorts suddenly fell to his ankles. He calmly pulled them up and went on to score.
Z is for Zlatan
Known for his legendary ego, Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic starred in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups but once said: "A World Cup without me is nothing to watch."
