Welcome to the last edition of AF World Cup 2026 Roundup! Spain claimed the title after 16 years of waiting--they defeated Argentina in the extra time with Ferran Torres' decisive finish. See you in 4 years in Spain, Portugal and Morocco!

Match Highlight

Spain 1-0 Argentina (aet): Torres decides World Cup final as Fernandez sees red

Ferran Torres came off the bench to score an extra-time winner as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final.

World Cup Gallery

Watch the World Cup Champions Spain lift the trophy!

AF Posters

AF Poster: Passing the torch

AF Poster: Passing the torch

AF Poster: How do we say Goodbye to you?

How do we say Goodbye to you? 

It's like when we meet for the first time

FWC26 Awards

OFFICIAL: Rodri has won the Golden Ball for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the World Cup trophy in the final. The Golden Ball for this World Cup was ultimately awarded to Rodri, the 30-year-old defensive midfielder of Spain.

10 goals in 8 matches! OFFICIAL: Mbappe wins the Golden Boot of 2026 FIFA World Cup

With Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final, the captain of the French team, Mbappe, was crowned with this FIFA World Cup's Golden Boot award.

OFFICIAL: Unai Simón claimes the Golden Glove Award of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Unai Simón, Spain’s goalkeeper, claimed the Golden Glove Award of this World Cup.

OFFICIAL: Pau Cubarsi awarded FIFA Young Player Award of the World Cup 2026

On July 19, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final to win the title. The Best Young Player award of this tournament went to Spain’s 19-year-old center-back Cubarsi.

OFFICIAL: Netherlands win the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fair Play Award

The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially came to an end. The Dutch team received the FIFA Fair Play Award.

Key Stats Board

Ferran Torres 1st substitute to score in World Cup final since Gotze in 2014

In the final of this FIFA World Cup, substitute Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute of extra time, helping Spain take a 1-0 lead against Argentina.

Argentina received 5 yellow cards and 1 red in final, topping the yellow card list with 14

In the FIFA World Cup final, Argentina received 5 yellow cards and 1 red card within 90 minutes. Lisandro Martinez, Paredes, and Cristian Romero were booked, and Enzo was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

La Roja's New Era: Spain completes second consecutive Euro-World Cup double

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win the title, marking their second FIFA World Cup championship in history, and also their second consecutive European Championship and FIFA World Cup title in the team's history.

Rodri and Cubarsi among three players to complete 100+ accurate passes in World Cup final

On July 19th, the FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Spain ultimately defeated Argentina 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres in extra time, claiming the second World Cup title in their history. According to statistics, since 1966, only three players have completed more than 100 accurate passes in a World Cup final. After this match, Cubarsi and Rodri rank second and third in history.

Rodri has become the 11th player in history that won World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or

In the FIFA World Cup final, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic finish to win the championship, and Rodri became the 11th 11th player in history that won World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or.

65-year-old Luis de la fuente becomes the oldest World Cup-winning coach

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic last-minute victory. 65-year-old De la Fuente became the oldest FIFA World Cup-winning coach in history, and the first coach over 60 years old to lead a team to victory.

Yamal becomes first U20 player to win European championship and World Cup

In this morning's FIFA World Cup final, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with Yamal starting and playing the entire match.

Argentina's 14-match winning streak ends in World Cup final loss to Spain

In the FIFA World Cup final, Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain, ending their 14-game winning streak across all competitions.

Messi's World Cup Stats: 6 tournaments, 21 goals, 12 assists, 1 champion & 2 runner-up

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Argentina lost 0-1 to Spain, and 39-year-old Messi is almost certain to have completed his last dance at the FIFA World Cup. The stories and marks he left on the highest stage of national team football are spectacular enough: 6 FIFA World Cups, 34 appearances, 21 goals, 12 assists, 1 championship, 2 runner-up finishes.

These Things Happened

Paredes sees red after the game as he grabs García's neck & pushes Gavi to the ground

The World Cup final descended into outrageous scenes as fights broke out among the two sets of players.

Messi bursts into tears as his World Cup career ends in heartbreak after loss to Spain

A heartbroken Lionel Messi burst into tears on the pitch after collecting his runners-up medal in what will almost certainly be his final ever World Cup appearance.

Rooney hits out at Lionel Messi's desperate attempt to get Cucurella sent off during World Cup final

Lionel Messi was lambasted by Wayne Rooney after he tried to get Marc Cucurella sent off during the latter stages of the World Cup final.

Infantino presents Rodri with World Cup championship ring

On July 19th, the FIFA World Cup finally concluded, with Spain defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the trophy.

Spain fans direct sarcastic chants of 'Infantino' at FIFA President after Nico disallowed goal

Spain fans directed chants at Gianni Infantino after Nico Williams saw a goal chalked off in extra-time for a 'soft' foul on Nicolas Otamendi.

Waht They Say

Messi: Argentina have already written a story that we will never forget

Lionel Messi says Argentina have "already written a story that no one can erase" ahead of their World Cup final meeting with Spain.

Spain's World Cup hero Torres: God gives to those who deserve it

Ferran Torres declared "God gives to those who deserve it" as Spain celebrated their 2026 World Cup triumph.

Cucurella previously said he'd tattoo De la fuente's face if Spain won the World Cup

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the FIFA World Cup final to win their second FIFA World Cup title in history. After winning the championship, several Spanish players' previous "championship promises" are now due to be fulfilled.

Henry: Spain isolated Messi; Rodri could win another Ballon d'Or

French legend and former Barcelona player Henry praised Spain's dominant performance in their FIFA World Cup final victory over Argentina, calling Spain the braver and more deserving champion.

Kane suggests Tuchel 'made mistakes' but backs England boss to respond

Harry Kane believes Thomas Tuchel is the right manager to lead England to glory, but suggested the German has made errors.

Klopp: German football has talent; we must create manageable expectations for players

Klopp, who is set to become the German national team coach, believes that despite the team’s early exits from the FIFA World Cup three times in a row, the future of German football remains promising.