World Cup 2026: Spain Are World Champions
Ferran Torres settled the final in extra time as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey to lift the trophy for the second time. Below: the full knockout results, both finalists' routes, the individual awards, and what comes next in 2030.
48
Teams
104
Matches
16
Venues
8
Legal Bookmakers
The Final
19 July 2026 · New York New Jersey Stadium · 80,000+ attendance
Spain
CHAMPIONS
1 - 0
after extra time
Argentina
Runners-up
⚽ Ferran Torres 106'
Spain became world champions for the second time in their history, sixteen years after their 2010 win in South Africa. The two sides had met only once before at a World Cup, a 2-1 Argentina win in 1966, and Spain settled the account sixty years later.
Argentina, the defending champions, came up short in their attempt at back-to-back titles. Lionel Scaloni's side had been pushed hard throughout the knockout phase, needing extra time in two of their four matches before the final.
Road to the Final
🇪🇸 Spain
Spain 3 - 0 Austria
Portugal 0 - 1 Spain
Spain 2 - 1 Belgium
France 0 - 2 Spain
Spain 1 - 0 Argentina (aet)
Spain conceded just one goal across the entire knockout phase.
🇦🇷 Argentina
Argentina 3 - 2 Cape Verde (aet)
Argentina 3 - 2 Egypt
Argentina 3 - 1 Switzerland (aet)
England 1 - 2 Argentina
Spain 1 - 0 Argentina (aet)
Argentina needed extra time twice on the way to the final.
Third-Place Play-off: England's Best Since 1966
Miami Stadium
England
THIRD PLACE
6 - 4
France
Fourth
⚽ Bukayo Saka hat-trick
Ten goals in a play-off is close to unheard of, and for English supporters in Spain this was the standout match of the tournament: a third-place finish is England's best World Cup result since they won it on home soil in 1966. Saka's hat-trick was the centrepiece of an end-to-end game that France could never quite close down.
Individual Awards
Golden Ball
Rodri
Spain · Best player of the tournament
Golden Boot
Kylian Mbappé
France · 10 goals
Golden Glove
Unai Simón
Spain · Best goalkeeper
Best Young Player
Pau Cubarsí
Spain
Final MVP
Ferran Torres
Spain · Scored the winner
Runners-up
Silver Ball
Lionel Messi
Bronze Ball
Kylian Mbappé
Silver Boot
Lionel Messi
Bronze Boot
Jude Bellingham
Three of the five main awards went to Spain players. Lionel Messi took both the Silver Ball and the Silver Boot in what was widely expected to be his final World Cup.
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Next Up: World Cup 2030 in Spain
The reigning world champions will host the next World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco stage the bulk of the 2030 tournament, with three centenary matches played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark 100 years since the first World Cup.
Centenary matches
8-9 June 2030
Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay
Main opening
13-14 June 2030
Spain, Portugal or Morocco
Final
21 July 2030
Venue not yet confirmed by FIFA
Already qualified
6 nations
Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay
These are FIFA framework dates. The full match schedule, venues and group draw will be published closer to the tournament.
Legal Betting in Spain
Sports betting is fully legal and regulated in Spain under the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ). As an expat, you can bet on football with any of the eight DGOJ-licensed operators.
Requirements to Bet
- ✓Be 18 years or older
- ✓Have a valid NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) or Spanish DNI
- ✓Proof of address in Spain (utility bill, bank statement)
- ✓Spanish bank account or valid payment method
DGOJ-Licensed Bookmakers
All of these operators hold valid DGOJ licenses. Operators with English interfaces are marked:
Bet365
GA/2014/004
Betway
350/GA/1011
Sportium
GA/2014/001
888sport
138-11/GA/A75057273/SGR
William Hill
122-11/GA/A65604130/SGR
Bwin
6-11/GA/N0461246A/SGR
Paf
101-11/GA/A65594291/SGR
Luckia
GA/2012/019
Tax on Winnings
Spanish tax law requires you to report net gambling winnings as "ganancias patrimoniales" in your IRPF declaration. Key points:
- •You only pay tax on net winnings (prizes minus stakes)
- •Losses can offset winnings within the same tax year
- •DGOJ-licensed operators report your activity to Spanish tax authorities
- •Tax rate depends on your overall income bracket (19-47%)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 World Cup?
Spain won the 2026 World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July 2026. Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute. It was Spain's second world title after 2010.
Who finished third at the 2026 World Cup?
England finished third, beating France 6-4 in the play-off in Miami. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick. It was England's best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966.
Who won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in 2026?
Kylian Mbappé of France won the Golden Boot with 10 goals. Rodri of Spain won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Unai Simón took the Golden Glove and Pau Cubarsí was named best young player.
When and where is the next World Cup?
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted mainly by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with three centenary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. FIFA's framework calendar places the centenary fixtures on 8-9 June 2030, the main opening on 13-14 June and the final on 21 July 2030.
Is sports betting legal for foreigners living in Spain?
Yes. Sports betting is legal and regulated in Spain under the DGOJ. You must be 18 or over and hold an account with a DGOJ-licensed operator, which requires identity verification with an NIE or Spanish DNI plus proof of address.
Are betting winnings taxed in Spain?
Yes, gambling winnings count as income in Spain and must be declared in your annual tax return. You pay tax on net winnings, and losses can offset winnings within the same tax year. See our tax guide for details.
Final Standings
🇪🇸 Spain
Champions
🇦🇷 Argentina
Runners-up
🏴 England
Third place
🇫🇷 France
Fourth place
Semi-finals
14 July
France 0 - 2 Spain
15 July
England 1 - 2 Argentina
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