Spain wins the 2026 World Cup: Ferran Torres seals the victory, while Trump remains on stage during the awards ceremony.
Spain won the 2026 World Cup by beating Argentina in extra time thanks to a Ferran Torres goal. Trump remained on stage during the awards ceremony, Messi ended his World Cup career in tears, and Mbappé made history.
La Roja won their second World Cup title by beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time. Controversy erupted over the presence of the US President during the Cup presentation ceremony, while Messi ended his World Cup campaign in tears.
Spain are the new world champions. The national team led by Luis de la Fuente won the 2026 World Cup , defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, United States. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, deciding a tight match that gave the Red Furies their second world title , sixteen years after their triumph in South Africa in 2010.
The final, beyond the sporting result, also sparked controversy for what happened during the awards ceremony, with US President Donald Trump remaining on stage next to the Spanish players as they lifted the World Cup trophy.
The final: Ferran Torres decides in extra time
After ninety minutes of a goalless draw , the match was decided in the second half of extra time. Spain scored the decisive goal through Ferran Torres , rewarding a performance of constant offensive pressure against an Argentina side that was capable of holding out for a long time.
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Albiceleste also played the entire extra time with ten men less after Enzo Fernández was sent off in the 93rd minute for a second yellow card.
For La Roja, this is a consecration after years of reconstruction, culminating in a young but talented team that was able to confirm the technical dominance shown throughout the tournament.
Trump was the unexpected star of the awards ceremony
The scene that quickly went around the world came during the presentation of the Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump presented the trophy to captain Rodri . After the medal presentation, Trump remained on stage right next to the Spanish players instead of walking away.
When Rodri lifted the World Cup, the American president was still alongside the team, thus entering the official frame of the celebration. According to television footage, Infantino attempted to escort him off the stage, but Trump preferred to stay with the world champions for a few seconds, joking with some of the players and even performing the famous "Trump dance."
The scene was reminiscent of what happened at the 2025 Club World Cup , when Trump remained on stage during Chelsea's celebrations, prompting similar reactions.
Messi says goodbye to the World Cup with a defeat
For Lionel Messi , at 39 years old, the final is most likely the last World Cup match of his career.
The Argentine champion received the silver medal from Donald Trump and, immediately after the award ceremony, couldn't hold back the tears. The images of the Albiceleste captain, visibly moved as he looked out onto the pitch after the defeat, became one of the evening's defining moments.
Argentina thus saw their dream of a second consecutive title vanish after their triumph in Qatar in 2022.
Mbappé enters World Cup history
Even without playing in the final, Kylian Mbappé closed the tournament with a historic result.
The French striker won the Golden Boot thanks to his 10 goals scored in the competition, two more than Messi's eight.
With 22 goals in total in World Cups, Mbappé also becomes the top scorer in the history of the World Cup , overtaking Lionel Messi in the all-time rankings.
Rodri named best player, with Cubarsí and Unai Simón also receiving awards.
FIFA also awarded the tournament's individual accolades.
The award for best player of the 2026 World Cup went to Rodri , leader of the Spanish midfield and captain in the final.
Defender Pau Cubarsí , just 19 years old, was named the competition's best young player , while Unai Simón received the award for best goalkeeper , thanks to a near-perfect tournament in which he conceded just one goal.
De la Fuente's words
At the end of the match, coach Luis de la Fuente underlined the strength of the group that brought Spain back to the top of the world.
We knew we'd have to struggle. We should have scored earlier, but the goalkeeper made some great saves. I'm proud of this generation of players who have shown they're a family. They're incredibly talented and are an example for all of Spain.
Von der Leyen: "Today Europe is celebrating with Spain."
Congratulations to the Iberian national team also came from European institutions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the success with a message posted on social media:
“Champions! Congratulations, Spain! Today, Europe celebrates with you.”
Daniele Adani's tribute to Messi
Also particularly emotional was the television greeting from commentator Daniele Adani , who dedicated a long message to the Argentine champion after the final whistle.
Adani called Messi a source of inspiration for entire generations of fans, thanking him for over twenty years of football at the highest level and concluding with a moving wish:
“May the god of football bless you, Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, forever.”
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