Spain secured its second World Cup title on July 19, 2026, by defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The tightly contested final saw Spain maintain control for most of the game, effectively stifling Argentina’s offense. Argentina was reduced to 10 men during extra time after Enzo Fernández was given a second yellow card late in regulation. The lone goal came from Spain’s Ferran Torres, who scored shortly after the midpoint of extra time, sealing the championship for the 2024 European champions.

The match drew a sold-out crowd of 80,663 and featured strong defensive performances, with Spain conceding only one goal throughout the entire tournament. Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez set a new record for a World Cup final with 11 saves, keeping the scoreline level through regular time. The halftime entertainment was notable for its length and star power, with a 12-minute show including Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, and Gustavo Dudamel, extending well beyond the usual 15-minute break.

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente, aged 65, became the oldest coach to win the World Cup. Despite concerns about challenging weather conditions leading up to the final, including a recent heatwave, smoke from Canadian wildfires, and flooding caused by storms, the weather cleared on game day. The kickoff temperature hovered around 80 degrees with moderate air quality, providing suitable playing conditions for the tournament’s grand finale.

In the tournament’s individual accolades, France’s Kylian Mbappé surpassed Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race by scoring two goals in the third-place match, finishing with 10 goals, while Messi ended the World Cup with eight. Spain’s victory earned the team $51 million in prize money, with Argentina receiving $34 million. England and France took third and fourth place prize money of $30 million and $28 million, respectively. The final match also saw an on-field fight break out after the whistle, reflecting the intense competition between the two sides.