Updated July 20, 2026
World Cup 2026 winner: Spain beat Argentina 1-0
Spain are World Cup 2026 champions after beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, Argentina finished runner-up and Spain lifted their second men's World Cup trophy.
Photo: Danilo Borges / copa2014.gov.br via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 BR; cropped for display.
Fast answer
Who won the World Cup 2026?
Current status
Spain are World Cup 2026 winners
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium.
Final
Spain 1-0 Argentina
Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.
Final ranking
Spain first, Argentina second
England finished third and France finished fourth after the third-place match.
The winner is not official until the final ends. If the game is level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties can push the result, trophy presentation and final award confirmations later into the day.
Result tracker
What the World Cup 2026 final result will decide
| Item | Status | What changes after the final |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Spain | Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time. |
| Final score | Spain 1-0 Argentina | Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute. |
| Goalscorer | Ferran Torres | Extra-time winner; no penalty shootout. |
| Runner-up | Argentina | Argentina finish second after reaching a third World Cup final with Messi. |
| Trophy ceremony | Spain lifted the trophy | The presentation followed extra time at MetLife Stadium. |
| Prize money | $50 million to Spain | FIFA's published prize table also lists $33 million for Argentina as runner-up. |
If Spain win
What a Spain title would mean
Spain would add a second men's World Cup
Spain's first title came in 2010. A 2026 win would move this team from an exciting new cycle into a historic Spanish side.
Yamal becomes part of the title story
Lamine Yamal does not need to score to shape the final. His width, pressure and decision-making can force Argentina to defend the whole right side differently.
Control would beat tournament management
A Spain win would say that rhythm, possession and defensive structure survived Argentina's late-game experience and Messi-led moments.
If Argentina win
What an Argentina title would mean
Argentina would defend the World Cup
A 2026 title would follow the 2022 win and put Argentina into a rare back-to-back conversation in men's World Cup history.
Messi's final chapter grows again
Messi already owns a World Cup. Another title would make the final less about one match and more about the longest legacy arc in modern football.
Experience would beat Spain's control
An Argentina win would underline game management: slowing the tempo, surviving pressure and turning a small opening into the decisive moment.
Trophy ceremony
What happens when the World Cup winner is confirmed
The winning captain lifts the trophy on the field
The presentation comes after the final whistle and post-match setup. If the game goes to extra time or penalties, the ceremony moves later with the match.
Trump and Infantino are part of the ceremony story
Current reporting says Donald Trump will attend the final, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino also central to the trophy presentation.
The original trophy does not stay with the winner
The current FIFA World Cup trophy remains FIFA property. Winners receive a replica rather than keeping the original trophy permanently.
Prize money
World Cup 2026 prize money for the final places
| Finish | Prize money | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | $50 million | Paid to the winning member association. |
| Runner-up | $33 million | Paid to the losing finalist's association. |
| Third place | $29 million | Settled by France vs England one day before the final. |
| Fourth place | $27 million | The other third-place match team receives this amount. |
| Preparation payment | $1.5 million | FIFA listed this for each qualified team in addition to prize money. |
Awards
What to check after Spain vs Argentina
- Golden Boot: top scorer, with assists and minutes used as tiebreakers if needed.
- Golden Ball: tournament best-player award, separate from the top-scorer race.
- Golden Glove: goalkeeper award, often shaped by the final and clean-sheet context.
- Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsi's award, separate from the louder Lamine Yamal storyline.
- Final ranking: champion, runner-up, third place and fourth place are settled across July 18-19.
Next step
Follow the related final-weekend stories
Spain vs Argentina final
Final score, venue, route to the final and the match context behind Spain's win.
Spain vs Argentina lineups archive
Post-match lineup status and archived teamsheet context from the final.
Spain vs Argentina highlights
FIFA highlights, Ferran Torres' extra-time winner and replay paths after Spain's title.
Spain World Cup parade
Madrid homecoming, Cibeles celebration, trophy bus moments and player reactions after Spain's title.
World Cup 2026 awards
Full post-final awards list: Rodri, Mbappe, Unai Simon, Pau Cubarsi and what each award means.
World Cup 2026 Golden Glove
Unai Simon's best-goalkeeper award and Spain's final clean-sheet context.
World Cup 2026 Best Young Player
Pau Cubarsi's young-player award and why it differs from the Yamal storyline.
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race
Final top-scorer table after the third-place match and final.
World Cup 2026 Golden Ball race
Best-player award candidates and final impact after Spain's win.
World Cup championship rings
FIFA's new 2026 winner rings, who receives them and how they differ from the trophy.
World Cup final closing ceremony
Pre-match entertainment, trophy ceremony context and replay notes from final day.
France vs England third-place match
England 6-4 France settled third place before Spain won the final.
World Cup 2026 winner FAQ
Who won the World Cup 2026?
Spain won the World Cup 2026 by beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.
When will the World Cup 2026 winner be known?
The winner was known after extra time on July 19, 2026. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium.
What happens if Spain win the World Cup 2026?
Spain became world champions for the second time, adding the 2026 title to their 2010 win.
What happens if Argentina win the World Cup 2026?
Argentina did not defend the 2022 title. They finished runner-up after losing 1-0 to Spain.
How much prize money does the World Cup 2026 winner get?
FIFA's published financial contribution table lists USD 50 million in prize money for the champion, plus a separate preparation payment for all qualified teams.
Does the winning team keep the World Cup trophy?
No. The current FIFA World Cup trophy remains FIFA property. The winning team receives a replica rather than keeping the original trophy permanently.
Who presents the World Cup trophy?
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is central to the presentation, and current reporting says Donald Trump will attend the final and be part of the trophy ceremony story.
Coverage trust
World Cup 2026 winner sources
The winner has not been decided yet. These sources cover the final schedule, FIFA prize money, trophy background and current reporting around the trophy ceremony.
Official sources
Official FIFA references
FIFA official World Cup 2026 match schedule
fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums
FIFA: World Cup 2026 prize money table
inside.fifa.com/organisation/fifa-council/media-releases/council-approves-record-breaking-world-cup-2026-financial-contribution
AP: how the World Cup trophy was created and awarded
apnews.com/article/d273ec1065e2aca911fb3df34d594f4f
The Guardian: Trump attending World Cup final
theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/16/donald-trump-attending-world-cup-final
Wikimedia Commons: World Cup trophy ceremony image
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Award_ceremony_of_the_World_Cup_in_Brazil_06.jpg