By Kunle Solaja, New York

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has taken me across North America, from bustling stadiums in Vancouver, New York, Atlanta and Boston to fan zones and media centres spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Yet, amid the football frenzy, one destination in New York City beckoned with a different kind of allure.

This is the legendary Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Known globally as one of the most famous streets in the world, Fifth Avenue is more than a shopping district. It is a showcase of American history, wealth, architecture and influence, stretching through the heart of Manhattan like a grand boulevard of ambition.

Stepping onto Fifth Avenue felt like entering a living postcard. Towering skyscrapers rise on either side, while streams of tourists, office workers and shoppers create a constant flow of energy. Every block seems to unveil another iconic landmark.

One of the first landmarks commanding attention is the imposing Trump Tower, the 58-storey skyscraper that has become synonymous with U.S. President Donald Trump.

This is where FIFA also has its American office. Its gleaming glass façade reflects the surrounding cityscape, while visitors gather outside to photograph one of Manhattan’s most recognisable buildings.

Just a short walk away stands one of Fifth Avenue’s most striking sculptures — Atlas, the massive bronze figure created in 1937 and located opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The muscular titan appears to shoulder the weight of the heavens, symbolising strength, endurance and responsibility.

At the base of the massive bronze object is a write-up that explains. It depicts a famous figure from Greek mythology. Atlas was a half-man, half-god giant known as a Titan. It reportedly led a war against the Olympic gods, but was defeated.

Thereafter, Atlas was condemned by Zeus to carry the world on his shoulders as punishment. During the period of the World Cup, the globe Atlas was carrying was in the form of the tournament official ball, Trionda.

As I stood before the statue, I could not help but draw parallels with the athletes that carried the hopes of entire nations at the World Cup. Just as Atlas bears the celestial sphere, players like Lionel Messi and Spain’s emerging stars shoulder the expectations of millions of supporters.

Directly across from Atlas rises the magnificent St. Patrick’s Cathedral, its Gothic spires offering a dramatic contrast to the modern skyscrapers surrounding it. The cathedral’s serenity amid Manhattan’s bustle makes it one of the city’s most treasured landmarks.

Further along the avenue are some of the world’s most prestigious retail stores and corporate headquarters. Luxury brands occupy grand storefronts, their displays drawing visitors from every corner of the globe. The avenue’s reputation as a symbol of style and affluence is well deserved.

Most of the global sportswear manufacturers have their outlets along the 5^th Avenue.

Yet Fifth Avenue is not merely about commerce. It is a corridor of history. Generations of presidents, business magnates, celebrities, athletes and world leaders have walked these same pavements.

Parades celebrating championship victories have passed through nearby streets, while New York’s influence on global culture has often radiated from this district.

For a football reporter immersed in the drama of the World Cup, the visit offered a refreshing change of scenery. It temporarily took one away from analysing tactical formations or post-match statistics; I found myself reflecting on the broader stories that define great cities and great nations.

The World Cup itself mirrors Fifth Avenue in many ways. Both bring together people from different cultures, backgrounds and aspirations. Both represent excellence, competition and the pursuit of dreams.

As the tournament approached its final chapter, Fifth Avenue stands as a reminder that sporting journeys are enriched not only by what happens inside stadiums but also by the places encountered along the way.

From the towering presence of Trump Tower to the enduring symbolism of the 1937 Atlas statue, Fifth Avenue remains one of New York’s most captivating landmarks — a place where history, power, culture and architecture converge spectacularly.

For this World Cup reporter, it was a memorable detour from football’s grand stage, yet one that perfectly complemented the experience of covering the world’s biggest sporting event in one of the world’s greatest cities.

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As the curtain came down on the historic FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday, FIFA paid tribute to the journalists who chronicled the tournament, including Sports Village Square Publisher Kunle Solaja, whose coverage marked a personal milestone—his 10th consecutive FIFA World Cup.

In a farewell message sent by FIFA Media Operations & Services to accredited journalists as they prepared to leave the United States, Canada and Mexico, the world football governing body thanked media professionals for their commitment and professionalism throughout the competition.

Addressing Solaja directly, FIFA wrote:

“Dear Kunle,

“As we bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 to a close, we would like to thank you for your commitment, professionalism, and the role you played in covering the tournament.”

The message acknowledged the invaluable contribution of journalists in documenting what has been widely described as the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams and jointly hosted by three nations for the first time.

FIFA added:

“Your work has helped capture the unforgettable moments, remarkable stories and unique atmosphere of this historic FIFA World Cup, bringing the competition to millions of fans across the globe.”

For Solaja, the message marked the fitting conclusion to another remarkable chapter in a World Cup reporting journey that began at Italia ’90. Over a span of 36 years, he has covered every FIFA World Cup final—from Italy 1990 through the United States 1994, France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and now the United States, Canada and Mexico 2026.

The 2026 tournament therefore extended his unique record to 10 consecutive FIFA World Cup finals, a feat achieved by only a select group of journalists worldwide.

Throughout the tournament, Sports Village Square provided comprehensive daily coverage, including match reports, exclusive interviews, historical features, statistical analyses, travelogues and Bet9ja-sponsored Fact File reports that offered readers rich insights into the competition.

FIFA concluded its message with warm wishes as journalists dispersed from the three host nations.

“As you prepare to depart, we wish you safe travel and all the very best until we meet again.”

The farewell note brought the curtain down on what has been another memorable World Cup assignment for Solaja and Sports Village Square, reaffirming the enduring relationship between FIFA and the global media professionals who preserve the history of the world’s greatest football spectacle, one tournament after another.

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Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final did far more than add another trophy to La Roja’s cabinet. It created one of the most remarkable milestones in football history.

With the match deadlocked after 90 minutes at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, striking in the 106th minute to settle a tense contest and crown the Europeans world champions.

The triumph etched Spain into the record books as the first country ever to simultaneously hold both the FIFA Men’s World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup titles.

Spain’s women had lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, defeating England 1-0 in the final. Three years later, the men’s team followed suit by overcoming reigning Copa América champions Argentina to complete an unprecedented global double.

The achievement underlines Spain’s remarkable football renaissance across both the men’s and women’s games, showcasing the depth of the country’s talent development and football philosophy.

No nation—not even traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, Italy, France or Argentina—had previously managed to reign over both the men’s and women’s world championships at the same time.

The victory also completed an extraordinary sequence for Spain. Having entered the tournament as reigning UEFA European champions, La Roja added the FIFA World Cup to their collection, reinforcing their status as the world’s leading football nation in 2026.

BET9JA FACT FILE

• Champions: Spain
• Final Score: Spain 1-0 Argentina (after extra time)
• Winning Goal: Ferran Torres (106′)
• Historic First: Spain became the first nation to hold both the FIFA Men’s and FIFA Women’s World Cup titles simultaneously.
• Women’s World Champions: Spain (2023)
• Men’s World Champions: Spain (2026)
• Another Milestone: Spain also became reigning UEFA European champions and FIFA World Cup winners at the same time, completing a historic era of dominance.

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