The World Cup final reveals LEGO's missed football opportunity

The result of the World Cup final highlights a huge missed opportunity for the LEGO Group – but there's still time to fix it.

To celebrate this summer's FIFA World Cup, the LEGO Group released 11 dedicated LEGO Editions football sets, ranging from 43032 FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Emblem to 43018 Lionel Messi – Celebration.

The range focused on just four players competing at the tournament: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior. Each received their own Football Highlights set.

However, none of those four players went on to lift the trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo and Vinicius Junior were both eliminated in the Round of 16, while Kylian Mbappé's France exited in the semi-finals. Lionel Messi came closest, but Argentina suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat to eventual champions Spain in the final.

That's where the LEGO Group missed a trick.

Before the tournament, Argentina and France were among the favourites, but Brazil and Portugal were not. Spain, meanwhile, entered the competition as reigning European champions and were widely expected to make a deep run. Yet despite that, the LEGO Group didn't dedicate a set to a single Spanish player.

That feels especially surprising when Spain is home to Lamine Yamal. The 19-year-old isn't just one of football's brightest young talents – he's already one of the sport's biggest global stars. 

Alongside 43011 Lionel Messi – Football Highlights, 43012 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Highlights, 43013 Kylian Mbappé – Football Highlights and 43027 Vini Jr. – Football Highlights, a Lamine Yamal set would have been an obvious addition before the tournament began.

Spanish LEGO fans can at least pick up an exclusive version of 43020 FIFA World Cup Official Trophy with 4000351 FIFA World Cup Official Trophy – Champions Edition, updated to celebrate Spain's victory. However, a commemorative trophy is unlikely to generate the same excitement as a dedicated, globally available build based on football's biggest star

Fortunately, it's not too late. Lamine Yamal is still only 19, and these are just the first LEGO Editions football sets. If the theme returns for future tournaments, few players are better placed to lead the range than Spain's World Cup-winning superstar.

 LEGO Editions 2026 sets

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