The World Cup wrapped up on Sunday, with Spain crowned champions after beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final in front of a capacity crowd at New York New Jersey stadium.

Here are some takeaways from the tournament, which was ​co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico:

 

• Spain crowned world champions: Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium before a capacity crowd, bringing the expanded tournament to a dramatic conclusion.

 

• Expanded format delivered more records: The first 48-team World Cup produced more matches, more goals and numerous records. However, the tournament ultimately remained dominated by the traditional football powers, with FIFA’s top four-ranked nations — Argentina, Spain, France and England — occupying the semi-final spots.

 

 

• Underdogs captured global imagination: Despite the dominance of the favourites, tournament debutants Cape Verde emerged as one of the biggest success stories after holding Spain and Uruguay to draws and pushing Argentina into extra time. Norway also won admirers with their adventurous style, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

 

• United States exceeded hosting expectations: Pre-tournament concerns over visa issues, gun violence and doubts about local enthusiasm largely faded as American hospitality won over visiting supporters. Social media highlighted the cultural exchange between local fans and international visitors during what became known as the “Great American Sleepover.”

 

• Canada’s football growth highlighted: Canada’s progression to the Round of 16 underlined the country’s growing football profile, with increased investment in the sport and record attendances suggesting a stronger future for the game.

 

• Mixed legacy for Mexico: While Mexico’s stadiums were largely full and supporters created a vibrant atmosphere, celebrations following the country’s first World Cup knockout victory in 40 years were marred by crowd crushes that claimed four lives. Reuters also noted there has been little evidence of lasting economic benefits from the tournament.

 

• USA’s campaign ended in familiar fashion: The United States again exited in the Round of 16 despite controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s intervention over the suspension of a key striker. Reuters observed that, despite the disappointment, the team’s overall performance broadly matched pre-tournament expectations.

 

• High ticket prices sparked criticism: The cost of attending World Cup matches drew widespread criticism, with many supporters arguing that soaring ticket prices made the tournament increasingly inaccessible except to affluent fans or the most dedicated followers.

 

• Visa barriers affected journalists and supporters: Reuters reported that journalists  supporters from countries facing visa restrictions struggled to attend the tournament, with diaspora communities and American-based fans helping to fill stadiums in many cases.

 

• American innovations divided opinion: The introduction of features such as hydration breaks and a Super Bowl-style halftime show during the final split opinion. Critics argued they disrupted the traditional rhythm of football for commercial reasons, while coaches embraced the additional tactical opportunities and the breaks were viewed as increasingly relevant in hotter playing conditions.

 

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By Kunle Solaja, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Emotions boiled over at the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday as a brief confrontation broke out between players following Spain’s dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium.

The flashpoint came moments after the referee ended the fiercely contested encounter that saw Spain crowned world champions for the second time.

As Spanish substitutes streamed onto the pitch to celebrate Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes shoved Spain’s Gavi to the ground, sparking a brief melee involving players from both teams.

The confrontation, however, was quickly brought under control, with Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni stepping in to calm his players and defuse the situation before it could escalate further.

The ill-tempered finish reflected the intensity of a final in which neither side was prepared to concede an inch over 120 fiercely contested minutes.

Argentina had already been reduced to 10 men after midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card during stoppage time of extra time for a reckless challenge, leaving the defending champions with an uphill task in the closing moments.

Spain eventually emerged victorious courtesy of substitute Ferran Torres, whose strike in the 106th minute proved decisive in separating two evenly matched sides.

The victory secured Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title and denied Argentina’s bid to become the first nation in more than six decades to retain the World Cup trophy.

Although tempers briefly flared after the final whistle, order was swiftly restored, allowing Spain’s players to continue their celebrations as they lifted football’s most coveted prize before a packed crowd at MetLife Stadium.

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By Kunle Solaja, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Spain returned to the pinnacle of world football on Sunday, ending a 16-year wait for FIFA World Cup glory after substitute Ferran Torres struck deep into extra time to hand La Roja a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina at MetLife Stadium.

Torres, introduced from the bench to inject fresh energy into Spain’s attack, produced the decisive moment in the 106th minute, converting the opportunity that finally separated two evenly matched sides in a tense final dominated more by tactical discipline than attacking brilliance.

The victory earned Spain their second FIFA World Cup title, adding to the crown they first won in South Africa in 2010, and confirmed their return as the dominant force in international football after already arriving at the tournament as European champions and the world’s top-ranked team.

For Argentina, the defeat brought an abrupt end to their quest to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup. Lionel Scaloni’s side had entered the final hoping to retain the trophy they captured in Qatar in 2022, but their bid for back-to-back triumphs fell just short against a disciplined Spanish outfit.

The final was a contest of patience rather than spectacle, with both teams cancelling each other out for long periods. Clear-cut chances were few as Spain’s organised defence frustrated Argentina’s celebrated attack, while the South Americans were equally resolute at the back.

As the match drifted into extra time, it appeared destined for penalties before Torres delivered the championship-winning strike. The substitute latched onto a well-worked move and calmly finished beyond the Argentine goalkeeper to spark wild celebrations among the Spanish players and thousands of their supporters.

Argentina’s hopes of forcing a shootout suffered a further setback in stoppage time of extra time when midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving the holders to finish the match with 10 men.

Spain comfortably managed the closing moments before the final whistle confirmed their place once again at the summit of world football.

The triumph completed a remarkable campaign for Luis de la Fuente’s side, who defeated France in the semi-finals before overcoming reigning world champions Argentina in the final to underline their status as the game’s new standard-bearers.

For Argentina, it was a painful conclusion to an otherwise impressive tournament. Having reached consecutive World Cup finals, the Albiceleste were denied a place in history as only the third nation to retain the trophy, with Spain instead writing a new chapter of their own by reclaiming football’s greatest prize.

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