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    2026 FIFA World Cup

    Also known as World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 26

    Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July 2026; Ferran Torres scored the winner.[1] The 104-match tournament, held across 16 North American host cities, required the champion to play a record eight matches.[2][3]

    Editor reviewedUpdated WikiSports
    Key facts

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup ran from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across 16 host cities, with 104 matches.[2] Spain won it, beating Argentina in the final.[1] Under the expanded format, the champion played a record eight matches.[3]

    The final

    Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026.[1] Argentina played extra time with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time.[4] Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute.[1] Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves, the most recorded in a men’s World Cup final.[5]

    Spain’s run

    It was Spain’s second men’s World Cup, after 2010.[6] In the knockout rounds they beat Portugal 1-0, Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final and France 2-0 in the semi-final.[7] Spain conceded only one goal all tournament, a first for a World Cup winner.[8] Midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball.[9] NPR reported that Spain rose to No. 1 in the world ranking. Spain also became the first country to hold the men’s and women’s world titles at the same time.[10]

    Other teams and records

    England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-final on 15 July, then beat France 6-4 in normal time in the third-place match in Miami on 18 July.[11][12] France’s Kylian Mbappé was top scorer with 10 goals, taking his World Cup total to a record 22. Lionel Messi was second in the scoring race with eight goals and four assists.[13] Germany went out on penalties to Paraguay, Brazil lost to Norway and the co-hosts United States lost 4-1 to Belgium.[14]

    After the tournament

    The Premier League had more World Cup players than any other league: NBC Sports counted 182 who played in the Premier League in 2025-26 or were set to in 2026-27.[15] The 2026-27 Premier League season started on 21 August 2026.[16] The next international matches, in September and October 2026, are covered in international football tracker.

    Sports

    Premier League

    The Premier League is England's top football division: 20 clubs, three relegated each season. Its rules, 2026-27 clubs, champions and how to follow it.

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    Questions readers ask

    Who won the 2026 World Cup?

    Spain, who beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute.[1]

    How many World Cups has Spain won?

    Two, in 2010 and 2026.[6]

    Where did England finish at the 2026 World Cup?

    Third. England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-final, then beat France 6-4 in the third-place match. The game was decided in normal time, not on penalties.[11][12]

    Who was the top scorer at the 2026 World Cup?

    Kylian Mbappé of France, with 10 goals. That took him to 22 World Cup goals, the all-time record. Lionel Messi was second in the scoring race with eight goals.[13]

    How many matches were played at the 2026 World Cup?

    104, from 11 June to 19 July 2026.[2]

    Sources

    · 16 claims from 5 publishers

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Tap a number in the text to see its sources in place.

    1. [1]

      Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026; Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    2. [2]

      The 2026 World Cup ran from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across 16 host cities in North America, with 104 matches. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    3. [3]

      The expanded format meant the champion played a record eight matches. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    4. [4]

      Argentina played extra time with 10 men after Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card in stoppage time. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    5. [5]

      Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves in the final, the most recorded in a men's World Cup final. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    6. [6]

      It was Spain's second men's World Cup, after 2010. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    7. [7]

      In the knockout rounds Spain beat Portugal 1-0, Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final and France 2-0 in the semi-final. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    8. [8]

      Spain conceded only one goal in the tournament, a first for a World Cup winner. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    9. [9]

      Spain midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. confirmedas of 2026-07-21

    10. [10]

      NPR reported that Spain moved to No. 1 in the world ranking with the win and became the first country to hold the men's and women's World Cup titles at the same time. reportedas of 2026-07-19

    11. [11]

      England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-final on 15 July 2026. confirmedas of 2026-07-15

    12. [12]

      England beat France 6-4 in the third-place match in Miami on 18 July 2026. The score was reached in normal time; there was no extra time or penalty shootout. confirmedas of 2026-07-18

    13. [13]

      France's Kylian Mbappé finished with 10 goals and became the all-time leading men's World Cup scorer with 22; Lionel Messi was second in the scoring race with eight goals and four assists. confirmedas of 2026-07-19

    14. [14]

      Among other contenders, Germany went out on penalties to Paraguay on 29 June, Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway on 5 July and the co-hosts United States lost 4-1 to Belgium on 6 July. confirmedas of 2026-07-06

    15. [15]

      NBC Sports said 182 players who featured at the 2026 World Cup either played in the Premier League in 2025-26 or were set to in 2026-27, more than any other league. confirmedas of 2026-07-21

    16. [16]

      The 2026-27 Premier League season began on 21 August 2026 and its final round is scheduled for 30 May 2027, when all fixtures kick off simultaneously. confirmedas of 2026-06-18

    Revision history (2)
    1. Page created.
    2. Confirmed the third-place score (England 6-4 France, in normal time, no shootout) from ESPN and RTÉ match reports.

    Created Oct 11, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 11, 2026. Next scheduled review: Mar 11, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "2026 FIFA World Cup." ContentLora, updated Oct 11, 2026. https://contentlora.com/wiki/2026-fifa-world-cup

    Spotted an error? Suggest a correction or emailcorrections@contentlora.com.

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