Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded in New Jersey on Sunday with Spain crowned world champions after a 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champions Argentina.
Beyond Spain’s triumph, the tournament produced a series of historic milestones and records that will be remembered as defining moments of football’s biggest event.
France captain Kylian Mbappé became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to win the Golden Boot at two successive tournaments. After finishing as the leading scorer in 2022, he retained the award in 2026 with 10 goals in eight matches, further enhancing his reputation as one of the game’s elite performers.
Spain also etched their name into football history by winning a second FIFA World Cup title, 16 years after lifting their maiden crown in 2010. Their victory over Argentina marked a return to the pinnacle of world football and signalled a new era for the European champions.
The 2026 edition also broke new ground as the first FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by three nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament demonstrated football’s global appeal, bringing together millions of fans across three countries and audiences around the world.
History was also made with four nations making their FIFA World Cup debuts. Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan all featured at the tournament for the first time, with Cape Verde emerging as the standout newcomers by reaching the knockout stages before eventually being eliminated by finalists Argentina.
Despite Spain’s latest success, Brazil remain the most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history with five titles. While La Roja celebrated their second world crown, Brazil’s record continues to set the benchmark every football nation aspires to match.
