A look at the most exciting moments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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Ferran Torres of Spain celebrates after scoring the only goal of the World Cup final against Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday. David Ramos / Getty Images Soccer A look at the most exciting moments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Spain took home the World Cup trophy after a 1-0 win over Argentina in extra time in the final. The tournament began June 11.
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Spain is the winner after a thrilling 1-0 win in the final, holding off Lionel Messi and Argentina from winning a second consecutive title.
The tournament began June 11 with the opening match in Mexico before play extended to the United States and Canada. It was an exciting tournament overall, as well as the first to feature 48 teams.
New heroes — such as Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha — were created, while several of the sport’s legends — such as Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé — continued putting their stamp on the world’s biggest stage.
Here’s a look back at the tournament through some of the NBC News photo team’s favorite images, featuring unique atmospheres, raucous fans, the most memorable moments and more.
On-field celebrations during the quarterfinal between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass. Ira L. Black / FIFA via Getty Images Clockwise from top left: A watch party in London; Japan supporters in Houston; U.S. fans at Los Angeles Stadium; a Haiti supporter in Port-au-Prince. Getty Images Argentina superstar Lionel Messi against Switzerland in Kansas City, Mo. Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images Argentina fan Victor Caldas watches the semifinal against England with fellow Rikers Island inmates at the jail complex in New York. Seth Wenig / AP From left: Vozinha of Cape Verde against Argentina in Miami Gardens, Fla.; a Cape Verde fan with a reproduction trophy in Houston. Getty Images Fans watch as the U.S. loses to Belgium at a FIFA Fan Zone on the National Mall in Washington. Rod Lamkey / AP Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates a goal against Croatia in Toronto. Patrick Smith / FIFA via Getty Images Norway fans row in the stands during the first half against Ivory Coast in Arlington, Texas. Juan Figueroa / The Dallas Morning News via Getty Images From left: Palestinian football fans in the Gaza Strip watch the match between Australia and Egypt in Khan Younis; a young fan follows the match between Belgium and Senegal while sheltering in a metro station during Russian air attacks in Kyiv. Getty Images Enzo Fernández of Argentina fouls Pau Cubarsí of Spain, resulting in a red card, during the final. Getty Images A Messi fan watches the final match Spain and Argentina on a giant screen in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tomas Cuesta / AFP via Getty Images Kylian Mbappé of France celebrates a goal against Sweden in East Rutherford. Maddie Meyer / FIFA via Getty Images Erling Haaland of Norway warms up with teammates in Miami Gardens. Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images From left: Mexico fans kiss at the Angel of Independence in Mexico City before the match against South Korea; Netherlands defender Jan Paul Van Hecke, left, and Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari face off during their match in Guadalupe, Mexico. Getty Images Teammates toss Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico into the air following their victory against the Czech Republic in Mexico City. Molly Darlington / Getty Images Malik Tillman scores the U.S.' second goal against Bosnia from a free kick. Martin Meissner / AP Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham of England after their loss to Argentina in Atlanta. Julian Finney / FIFA via Getty Images Scotland supporters at the match against Haiti in Foxborough. Erin Clark / Boston Globe via Getty Images file Messi reacts after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the final. Hector Vivas / FIFA via Getty Images From left: Mexico supporters during a match against Ecuador in Guadalajara, Mexico; a fan in Foxborough pays homage to Mbappé. Getty Images Democratic Republic of the Congo fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga (aka Lumumba Vea) during the Group K match against Colombia in Zapopan, Mexico. Manuel Velasquez / FIFA via Getty Images Lamine Yamal of Spain prays before his team's match against Belgium in Inglewood, Calif. Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images Share Add NBC News to Google NBC News Digital Art and Photo Department Photo Editors: Claudia Hernandez, Elise Wrabetz, Matt Nighswander, Roisin Savage, Vanessa Leroy, Veronica Sanchis and Will Widmer
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