Spain beats Argentina in Fifa World Cup US finale

Spain – co-host of the next Fifa World Cup in 2030 – clinched the 2026 title 1-0 against Argentina after substitute Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the second half of extra time in front of a capacity crowd at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, New York on Sunday.

Spain claimed its second World Cup title with a dominant performance against Lionel Messi’s men. The Spanish team had a dozen shots on target, but the game had to go into extra time for the winning goal.

The last time Spain won the World Cup was in 2010 in South Africa in the final in Johannesburg against the Netherlands. Spain will co-host the next Fifa World Cup with Portugal and Morocco in four years’ time.

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This year’s World Cup – co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada – was the biggest in Fifa’s history, with 48 teams participating. The Spain vs Argentina final was also the first title match since 1930 to feature two Spanish-speaking teams.

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Spain dominated possession as Argentina struggled to muster a meaningful attack in what is likely Messi’s last World Cup match.

Argentina went down to 10 men toward the end of regulation  time after midfielder Enzo Fernandez was ejected, putting them in a major disadvantage for a match they spent mostly trying to keep Spain from scoring.

In the New York City borough of Queens, Spain supporters who had gathered at the Casa Galicia cultural centre cheered and chanted to celebrate the victory. Frustrated and anxious for most of the match, the fans erupted in celebration when Torres scored.

An estimated 1.8 billion people were expected to watch the match, which also is the first World Cup final to feature a halftime show, which kicked off with Madonna accompanied by Brazilian soccer greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the Muppets also featured in the show, which lasted just over 11 minutes. Fans were reluctant to leave their seats and many sang along with Shakira when she performed the official 2026 World Cup song, Dai Dai. 

Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, the Spanish captain (aka Rodri) lifts the Fifa World Cup winner’s trophy after the team’s victory against Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium. Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images

The closing ceremony before the Fifa World Cup 2026 final. Image: via Bloomberg

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates with teammates after their 1-0 win in the Fifa World Cup 2026 final match. Image: via Bloomberg

With enhanced security measures organised for President Donald Trump’s attendance, gates opened four hours ahead of the kickoff. After the first two games at the stadium, organisers increased the number of signs and volunteers to get people to the right seats.

In the luxury suites surrounding the pitch, politicians mixed with celebrities at what is likely to be the most expensive sporting event ever. High-end hospitality packages were trading for up to $4 million prior to the game.

Trump was seen seated next to his wife, Melania, and Fifa chief Gianni Infantino. At one point the broadcast showed him patting what appeared to be the World Cup trophy.

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Read: Fifa World Cup: How will that work in Trump’s America?

Spanish King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez were also in attendance along with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, though Argentine President Javier Milei stayed home to avoid jinxing the result. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were also in attendance.

Celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Will Ferrell, Timothee Chalamet, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Mick Jagger, Trevor Noah and basketball stars Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama were also spotted in the crowd.

Fifa drip-fed tickets to the final over the past few weeks. The process has been opaque enough to attract lawsuits in the US and Germany.

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“I was one of the lucky ones who got in early on, so no complaints on my end,” said Brandon Ng, a managing director at boutique investment bank Houlihan Lokey who paid $60 000 for 10 tickets. “The tournament has been electric.”

Revenue from chips, beer and hot dogs is also set to break records.

Offerings at MetLife Stadium’s concessions included sodas for $6, an $8.50 hot dog and chicken tenders for up to $19. Non-alcoholic beers were priced at $14, while price of alcohol ranged from $17 to $20 with a limit of 2 drinks per person for every purchase.

© 2026 Bloomberg

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