Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 3-2 after extra time on Sunday to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reclaiming football’s biggest prize 16 years after lifting their maiden title in South Africa.
The thrilling final at the New York New Jersey Stadium brought to an end the first-ever 48-team World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Spain, who won their first World Cup in 2010, produced a determined performance to overcome an equally resilient Argentine side in a contest that lived up to expectations.
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Argentina, champions in Qatar four years earlier, were seeking to become the first team in more than six decades to successfully defend the World Cup. However, despite a spirited display, they were denied by a disciplined Spanish side that found the decisive goal in extra time.
Spain’s triumph capped an impressive tournament in which they combined attacking quality with defensive organisation to emerge as the world’s best team.
The victory marks Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title and further strengthens the country’s status among football’s traditional powerhouses.
For Argentina, the defeat ended an impressive campaign that saw the South Americans reach a second consecutive World Cup final, underlining their consistency on the international stage despite falling short of retaining the trophy.
The tournament also produced several notable milestones, including Ghana becoming the first African nation to qualify for the knockout stage of the expanded competition, highlighting the growing competitiveness of African football.
England finished third after defeating France 6-4 in an entertaining third-place playoff to claim the bronze medal.
The 2026 edition was the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams and was staged across three host nations — the United States, Canada and Mexico — attracting millions of fans from around the world and delivering several memorable matches.
Spain’s latest triumph is expected to spark celebrations across the country as the team returns home with the World Cup trophy, while attention will now shift to preparations for the next cycle of international football.