In the final held at East Rutherford, New York, Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the World Cup title. Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute of extra time. After a 16-year hiatus since 2010, Spain once again donned the world champion crown.

Throughout the tournament, coach Luis de la Fuente's team showed an extraordinary balance in attack and defense. Rodri was named the best player of the tournament for his dominant performance in midfield.

France's Kylian Mbappe surpassed everyone in the Golden Boot race. He became the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals. He also scored a brace in the third-place match, taking his total World Cup goal tally to 22, which is considered a new record.

The biggest surprise of this World Cup came from debutants Cape Verde. They overcame strong opponents to reach the knockout stage and put up a great fight until the round of 16. Meanwhile, Curacao also earned praise for their courageous performance in their first World Cup.

Argentina showed a fighting spirit throughout the tournament. They dramatically won their round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final matches to reach the final, but ultimately had to bow down to Spain's tactical superiority.

Off the field, the World Cup was also full of discussions. The suspension controversy surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun sparked widespread criticism on the international stage. Additionally, the display of banners related to the Falkland Islands by Argentine players created new political controversy.

Meanwhile, Norway's Erling Haaland was a center of discussion not only on the field but also on social media. His 'Viking' celebration with teammates went viral worldwide, becoming one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.

With a new format, the participation of 48 teams, and a series of dramatic events, the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as an exceptional chapter in football history.