All of ESPN.
All In One Place.
Favorites
Customize ESPN
ESPN Sites
ESPN Apps
2026 FIFA World Cup
Spain's persistence pays off to win 2026 World Cup as Messi, Argentina exit quietly
So that's it! The 2026 World Cup is over and Spain have been crowned champions. Here's how they won it, how Argentina lost it, and everything in-between.
ANP via Getty Images
In a tournament dominated by superstars, Spain's team ethos won the World Cup
The 'ESPN FC' crew debate Rodri vs. Messi for World Cup's best player
2:08
Madrid erupts at full time as Spain crowned World Cup champions
0:18
Scenes in Spain as Ferran Torres scores extra-time opener in World Cup final
1:03
Burley disgusted by Argentina's World Cup final performance
1:02
Steve McManaman calls out Argentina's 'cheating' after World Cup loss
1:06
Top Headlines
The end of an era?
Messi played poorly in the World Cup final: So what? He's still the GOAT and will be remembered as such
Maja Hitij/FIFA via Getty Images
Taking a closer look
VAR review: Why Fernandez red card was deserved as Argentina lose World Cup final
Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Player ratings: Lionel Messi 3/10 as Spain beat Argentina in World Cup final
Real Madrid stars shine
Real Madrid 'win' World Cup with more goals scored than any other club
Guillermo Martinez/NurPhoto via Getty Images
NWSL scoreboard
World Cup fun
World's most remote World Cup final watch parties, from Antarctica to 'Mars of the mid-Atlantic'
ESPN
What's in an emote? Analyzing 747 gestures during the World Cup group stage
Transfer Talk
Transfer rumors, news: Barcelona set deadline for Álvarez; Rodri wants Real Madrid
Carl Recine/Getty Images
Onuoha: Morgan Rogers joining Chelsea is Alonso's statement of intent
1:06
England outlast France
No one wanted to play, but England helped deliver a third-place match to treasure
ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images
We got a Scorigami! How England's 6-4 win vs. France made World Cup history
Looking back at the USMNT's World Cup
World Cup time capsule: Images the USMNT will remember forever
Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
Ream reflects on USMNT disappointment and World Cup legacy
3:50
Top Headlines
- Torres fires Spain past Argentina for 2nd WC title
- Messi in tears, future unclear after WC final loss
- France's Mbappé wins Golden Boot ahead of Messi
- Rodri wins Golden Ball as Spain dominate awards
- Scaloni unsure about Argentina future: We will see
- Spain WC champ Capdevila gets into U.S. for final
- Human rights body questions World Cup integrity
- Sources: Chelsea agree $157M Rogers deal
- 📱 Top reaction to Spain's second World Cup win
The enhanced ESPN App
- ESPN
All of ESPN. All in one place.
Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you.
Trending Now
- Illustration by ESPN
2026 World Cup Stock Watch: Which players starred?
The FIFA World Cup is into the semifinals, but which players have impressed and which have struggled during both tournaments?
- John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images
Projecting the USMNT 2030 World Cup roster: 30 players to rep the U.S. in four years
The tears are barely dry from the USMNT's 2026 World Cup exit, but the page immediately turns to the 2030 World Cup. Here's who could represent the U.S. in four years.
- Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup: Diomande, Freeman, Manzambi, more
The 2026 World Cup will be remembered for how all the superstars showed up and dominated, but we've also had a few young talents breaking though. Here are four of the best we'll remember going into the 2026-27 season.
- ESPN
The Dream Factory: Inside the 'cruel' system behind Argentina's soccer empire
An investigation into Argentina's soccer system that produced the defending World Cup champions found that it is rife with exploitation.
Legends chasing milestones
- (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo goal tracker: Road to 1,000 career goals
With Cristiano Ronaldo on the quest to score 1,000 goals, ESPN provides goal-by-goal analysis of the Portuguese superstar's quest.
- Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
ESPN provides game-by-game analysis of Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami and Argentina.
