The Guardian's Football Daily newsletter rounds up the World Cup's "cult heroes" – unlikely or eccentric figures who have captured attention during the tournament, from veteran goalkeepers to a referee, a toddler and even a television pundit's anecdote. The piece is a light-hearted, subjective celebration rather than hard news, reflecting on memorable moments that have added colour to the competition.

Standouts include Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who kept out Spain and pushed Argentina to extra time; England's Djed Spence, who went from struggling early on to a standout knockout-round display; and Curaçao's Eloy Room, who made a record 15 saves in a single match. Other mentions include Paraguay's combative midfielder Matías Galarza, three-year-old Keyne (brother of Lamine Yamal), referee Iván Barton, BBC pundit Danny Murphy's viral cat story, and Egypt's twin coaching duo Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan.