EAST RUTHERFORD (DA) — Curaçao completed its historic FIFA World Cup debut in 42nd place as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time Sunday to win the 2026 tournament.
Curaçao finished ahead of Panama, Jordan, Haiti, Uzbekistan, Tunisia and Iraq in the final standings of the first 48-team World Cup.
Spain secured its second world title through Ferran Torres, who scored the final’s only goal in the 106th minute at New York New Jersey Stadium. The teams had remained scoreless through regulation.
The victory also made Spain the first country to hold the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup trophies simultaneously.
Rodri was named the tournament’s best player and received the Golden Ball. Argentina captain Lionel Messi won the Silver Ball, while France forward Kylian Mbappé earned the Bronze Ball.
Mbappé claimed the Golden Boot after leading the tournament with 10 goals and four assists. Messi finished second with eight goals and four assists, while England midfielder Jude Bellingham received the Bronze Boot with seven goals and one assist.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Golden Glove, and teammate Pau Cubarsí received the Young Player Award. The Netherlands earned the FIFA Fair Play Trophy.
The 39-day competition drew a record 6,810,966 spectators across 16 stadiums in Canada, Mexico and the United States. A total of 308 goals were scored over 104 matches.
The final also featured the first FIFA World Cup halftime show, with performances by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, Coldplay, Gustavo Dudamel, the New York Philharmonic and the PS 22 Chorus.