The 2026 World Cup is just a day away, and the LEGO Group has spent the first half of the year dedicating sets to the tournament, but some are definitely more world champion-worthy than others.
With Mexico set to face South Africa in the opening game on June 11 at 8pm BST, the biggest sporting tournament on the planet is back after its usual four-year break.
This time, however, the LEGO Group has marked the occasion with some magnificent – and some less impressive – sets. Here are our rankings of all 11 LEGO Editions football sets released for the 2026 tournament.
11 – 43016 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Legend
Price: £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 Pieces: 854 Minifigures: 0 Release date: May 1, 2026
While a lot of the sets on this list are truly great, this representation of Cristiano Ronaldo misses the mark. Portraying real people as buildable characters is difficult, and the uncanny look of the Portuguese icon’s face here simply does not work.
10 – 43015 Lionel Messi – Football Legend
Price: £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 Pieces: 958 Minifigures: 0 Release date: May 1, 2026
As I said, making real people look right is difficult, and the Messi version also struggles. However, it beats Ronaldo thanks to the better-designed backdrop and printed arm tattoo pieces. The face also looks a tiny bit more human.
9 – 43033 2026 U.S. Soccer National Team Jersey
Price: £19.99 / $24.99 / €24.99 Pieces: 167 Minifigures: 2 Release date: May 1, 2026
Sorry, USMNT fans, but this set does not quite have the global appeal of the eight above it. It is a well-designed set, but its focus on a single national team limits its appeal. If it included multiple kits in a fashion similar to 40748 Batman 8in1 Figure, representing some of the tournament's biggest nations, it would rank much higher.
8 – 43027 Vini Jr. – Football Highlights
Price: £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 Pieces: 510 Minifigures: 1 Release date: May 1, 2026
All four Football Highlights sets released this year offer great value and great builds. However, on balance, the Vinícius Júnior set comes in last among them. The minifigure is strong, but not quite as strong as the others. The same applies to the build.
7 – 43013 Kylian Mbappé – Football Highlights
Price: £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 Pieces: 490 Minifigures: 1 Release date: May 1, 2026
Mbappé edges above his Real Madrid teammate thanks to the slightly more inventive build. Both minifigures are about equally good, but Mbappé's build takes the advantage. The Arc de Triomphe backdrop and flag integration in the base look better than those in Vinícius Júnior's set.
6 – 43018 Lionel Messi – Celebration
Price: £159.99 / $199.99 / €179.99 Pieces: 1,427 Minifigures: 0 Release date: May 1, 2026
The second of three Messi sets on the list, the Argentinian's iconic point-to-the-sky celebration translates brilliantly into LEGO form. The hands look a little strange, but the build works remarkably well. His tattoos steal the show, recreated through a clever assortment of parts.
5 – 43032 FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Emblem
Price: £19.99 / $24.99 / €24.99 Pieces: 298 Minifigures: 0 Release date: May 1, 2026
There is not much between places four and five, but fifth place goes to 43032 FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Emblem. It is an accurate and attractive display piece, but lacks the excitement of the four sets above it. The alignment of the two front stickers also costs it a few points.
4 – 43019 Football
Price: £99.99 / $129.99 / €119.99 Pieces: 1,498 Minifigures: 0 Release date: March 1, 2026
Taking a slight edge over the Official Emblem, 43019 Football recreates the official World Cup ball. It is a fun build that opens to reveal a celebration scene within. Fewer stickers would have pushed it higher, while an official World Cup trophy element could have put it in contention for the top spot.
3 – 43012 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Highlights
Price: £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 Pieces: 490 Minifigures: 1 Release date: May 1, 2026
Taking bronze is 43012 Cristiano Ronaldo – Football Highlights, a magnificent set. CR7's minifigure ranks among the most accurate interpretations of a real person LEGO has produced. However, the overall build and design are not quite as strong as the set above it.
2 – 43011 Lionel Messi – Football Highlights
Price: £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 Pieces: 500 Minifigures: 1 Release date: May 1, 2026
Second place goes to 43011 Lionel Messi – Football Highlights. While Ronaldo has the strongest minifigure, Messi runs him close thanks to the excellent tattooed arm printing. The build ultimately makes the difference, incorporating all of his clubs into a mountainside display while the flag-themed base looks fantastic.
1 – 43020 FIFA World Cup Official Trophy
Price: £159.99 / $199.99 / €179.99 Pieces: 2,842 Minifigures: 1 Release date: March 1, 2026
Where else would a trophy belong but first place? 43020 FIFA World Cup Official Trophy is the biggest and joint-most expensive of the 11 football sets released this year, and it is absolutely glorious. It captures the real trophy brilliantly, although building it can feel like a marathon thanks to its 2,842-pieces, mostly of which are tiny gold elements.
For a tournament as prestigious as the World Cup, there could not be a more fitting winner. If you want to add any of these 11 sets to your collection, they are all available now from LEGO.com.
Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links. Thanks!
Comments
Be the first to comment!