Spain have been crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday’s final at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

La Roja secured their second FIFA World Cup title thanks to a dramatic extra-time winner from Ferran Torres, who broke the deadlock in a fiercely contested final between two of international football’s biggest powerhouses.

The victory marks Spain’s first World Cup triumph since their historic success in South Africa in 2010, ending a 16-year wait to return to the summit of world football.

Argentina, who entered the tournament as defending champions, fought valiantly throughout the final but were unable to find a breakthrough against a disciplined Spanish defence. Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, was closely marshalled by Spain’s backline as La Roja successfully neutralised Argentina’s attacking threat.

After a goalless 90 minutes, both teams continued to battle for supremacy in extra time before Ferran Torres produced the decisive moment, calmly finishing to send the Spanish players and supporters into celebration.

Spain’s triumph caps an impressive World Cup campaign that saw them eliminate Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France in the knockout stages before overcoming Argentina in the final.

For Argentina, the defeat ends their hopes of retaining the title they won four years earlier. Despite another memorable tournament run, Lionel Messi and his teammates fell just short against a Spanish side that combined tactical discipline with attacking quality throughout the competition.

The victory cements Spain’s place among football’s elite nations, adding a second FIFA World Cup trophy to their cabinet and crowning an outstanding generation of players with the biggest prize in world football.

Spain’s celebrations will now begin as the newly crowned world champions, while Argentina leave the tournament with their heads held high after reaching another World Cup final in what could be remembered as one of the defining chapters of Messi’s international career.

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