FIFA faced criticism over a number of issues during the tournament, including debate over U.S. visa restrictions affecting supporters and officials from several countries and concerns involving teams from conflict-hit regions.

The history books will record Ferran Torres as Spain’s official Player of the Match for scoring the winner, but the most vivid act of heroism belonged to a teenager.

The 48-year-old described the emotional aftermath of the final, saying: "Sadness and joy have intertwined, tears and smiles, anguish and tranquility."

Ayala was caught forcefully placing his hands near Olmo's neck in the aftermath of Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina during the scrap that followed after full time.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS following Spain's World Cup triumph, the 65-year-old coach reflected on the tactical identity that carried his side to a flawless tournament, while also reiterating the values that have shaped one of the most successful international teams in recent years.

Lionel Messi will not be required to play in next week's Major League Soccer All-Star Game after representing Argentina in the recent World Cup final, the US domestic league said Saturday.

Sometimes awareness campaigns arrive in official leaflets. Sometimes they arrive via a 28-year-old left-back flying down the touchline at the “greatest show on earth”

Jurgen Klopp has been given the task of putting the German national team back on the road to success. After three disappointing World Cups in a row, Germany have lost their reputation as a ‘tournament team’. Having failed to make it out of their group in 2018 and 2022, their most recent campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended in defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.

The Brazil national football team could be heading to the subcontinent for an international friendly later this year, with Kolkata emerging as the likely host city for a match in early October.

The FairSquare complaint alleges that Infantino has "repeatedly breached IOC's rules on political neutrality by offering his political support for US president Donald Trump".

Mark van Bommel is the new coach of the Belgian national football team, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) announced on Friday.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player also backed Lionel Messi to continue his international career for as long as he wishes.

Germany have appointed Juergen Klopp as head coach on a four-year contract, the country’s football association (DFB) said on Friday, handing the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager the task of leading the national team into a new era after another disappointing World Cup campaign.

Since 1962, Argentina have come closer than any team to breaking that pattern, holding the record as the only nation to reach a World Cup final as holders twice

Former Argentina striker Mario Alberto Kempes has urged fans to reject conspiracy theories that have circulated on social media following Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has condemned the clashes that erupted after his side's World Cup final victory over Argentina, describing the behaviour of some Argentine players as "intolerable" and "unacceptable."

After Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón collected the Golden Glove following La Roja's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in Monday's World Cup final in New York, there was little debate over whether he deserved to be recognised as the tournament's best goalkeeper.

The collection offers a rich visual commentary on the tournament, from towering goalkeepers trying to intimidate Lionel Messi and magic carpets lifted by soaring ticket prices, to football-mad households divided by loyalty.

Balogun's red card in the last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in an automatic suspension for the match with Belgium. But FIFA stepped in and suspended his ban, leading to widespread condemnation, especially when it emerged that Trump had intervened by phoning Infantino.

The curtain has fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift their second world title, but football's biggest individual prize now takes centre stage.