World Cup
Our complete archive of the 2026 World Cup — plus the classics that made the tournament what it is. Start here for what actually happened.
How the 2026 World Cup finished
The 23rd World Cup was the first to change nearly everything at once: three host nations instead of one, 48 teams instead of 32, and 104 matches instead of 64. The expansion added a knockout round that had never existed before — the round of 32 — which is why the tournament produced fixtures like Cape Verde vs Argentina and DR Congo vs England.
It ended on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey: Spain 1–0 Argentina, Ferran Torres scoring at 106 minutes in extra time. Spain won every knockout tie they played — Austria, Portugal, Belgium, France, then Argentina — for their second world title. England took third place, beating France 6–4 in the most improbable scoreline of the whole tournament.
| Final standing | Team |
|---|---|
| Champions | Spain |
| Runners-up | Argentina |
| Third place | England |
| Fourth place | France |
2026 World Cup Games
World CupSpain 1-0 Argentina: a second star — and still no back-to-back champion since 1962
Ferran Torres decided it in extra time, Argentina finished the final without a single shot on target in 120 minutes, Enzo Fernández was sent off and Messi lost the second final of his career — in the last World Cup of his life, without the scoring record that was his until Friday.
World Cup10 goals, an Mbappé record and English bronze: France 4-6 England
A Saka hat-trick, 4-0 at half-time, a frantic French comeback and two stoppage-time goals. Amid the chaos, Mbappé passed Messi to become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history — and England claimed their best finish since the 1966 title.
World CupIt hurt to watch: Argentina turn it around against England at 90+2 and are one game from back-to-back titles
Gordon opened the scoring, Enzo leveled with a screamer at 85 and Lautaro headed the winner in stoppage time — from a Messi assist, at 39 years old. Argentina are in the final against Spain. Stay strong, Brazilian hearts.
Historic games
World CupThe Hand of God and the Goal of the Century: Argentina 2–1 England, 1986
In four minutes at the Estadio Azteca, Maradona scored the most controversial and the most beautiful goal in World Cup history. The same match, the same man, two faces of football.
World CupThe Sarrià Tragedy: Italy 3–2 Brazil in 1982
Zico, Sócrates, Falcão and the most gifted Brazilian side since 1970 only needed a draw. Across the pitch, a striker who had been written off came back to life in 45 minutes and rewrote World Cup history.
World CupTotal Football and the fastest goal in final history: Netherlands 1–2 West Germany (1974)
16 passes, a penalty, and a Dutch goal before West Germany had even touched the ball. And still Cruyff went home without a title. The most ironic final in World Cup history.
Stories & trivia
World CupWild World Cup trivia — Part IV: Ronaldo's convulsion, the attendance record and the 7–1
The mysterious night before the 1998 final, the fact that Brazil is the only country present at every World Cup and the 7–1 that echoed an old scoreline in the cruelest way.
World CupWild World Cup trivia — Part III: the psychologist, Garrincha's dog and the trophy that vanished
The report that almost left Pelé and Garrincha at home in 1958, the dog that dribbled Garrincha himself in 1962 and the theft of the Jules Rimet trophy in 1983. Three Brazilian stories that feel invented.
World CupWild World Cup trivia — Part II: the Maracanazo and the eternal Brazil vs Germany duel
200,000 people silent at the Maracanã and more than 450 combined goals between Brazil and Germany. Part II of Guriball's compilation of unlikely World Cup stories.