Spain Are World Champions, and the 2026 World Cup Delivered Everything We Could Have Asked For

Just like that, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end.

For the last month, soccer completely took over North America, and honestly, I don't think the tournament could've gone much better from an entertainment standpoint. The United States, Canada, and Mexico put on a show, stadiums were packed, and for a few weeks it felt like the entire country finally caught World Cup fever.

Sure, Team USA's run ended with Belgium putting the absolute brakes on them. It wasn't the ending American fans were hoping for, but making a run on home soil still gave this country something to rally around. Hopefully this tournament leaves a lasting impact and continues to grow the game here because the atmosphere throughout the month was incredible.

As for the final, Spain deserved every bit of that trophy.

The scoreboard says 1-0 after extra time, but if you actually watched the match, it felt like Spain controlled almost everything. They dictated possession, created the better chances, and forced Argentina to spend most of the afternoon defending. Credit to Emiliano Martínez, because without him this game probably isn't even close heading into extra time. He kept Argentina alive with save after save until Ferran Torres finally broke through in the 106th minute to give Spain the lead they had been threatening all game.

Argentina battled until the final whistle, but they never really looked comfortable. Spain's midfield completely controlled the tempo, Rodri once again reminded everyone why he's one of the best players in the world, and Luis de la Fuente's squad capped off one of the most dominant international runs we've seen in years. Spain finishes as European champions and now World Cup champions, proving they weren't just the best team on paper—they were the best team on the field.

I'll admit something, though.

As one of the internet's loudest Cristiano Ronaldo defenders, there was a small part of me that smiled knowing Lionel Messi wasn't going to walk away with a second World Cup.

Call me petty.

Call me biased.

I don't care.

After watching Ronaldo's World Cup journey come to an emotional end against Spain, I wasn't exactly rooting for Messi to add another trophy to the résumé. Both players have defined an entire generation of football, and watching one leave with another World Cup would've made the debates even louder.

Instead, this tournament felt more like the passing of the torch.

Ronaldo played his final World Cup.

Messi likely played his final World Cup.

Neymar probably did the same.

For nearly twenty years, international football has revolved around those names. Every World Cup discussion started with Messi or Ronaldo. Every knockout match felt bigger because one of them was involved.

Now it's somebody else's turn.

Kylian Mbappé has already established himself as one of the faces of world football. Lamine Yamal looks like a future Ballon d'Or winner. Erling Haaland continues to look like a video game character every time he steps on the pitch. The next generation has officially arrived.

Looking back, this tournament gave us everything.

Cape Verde captured the world's attention with one of the greatest Cinderella runs we've ever seen.

The United States gave its fans hope before running into a Belgian buzzsaw.

Ronaldo finally scored his first World Cup knockout goal before seeing his legendary career come to an emotional close.

Messi came within one match of defending Argentina's title.

And Spain reminded everyone that sometimes the best team really does win.

Another World Cup is in the books.

Now the countdown to 2030 begins.