SPAIN DEFEATED ARGENTINA 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the first minute of extra time. The tournament featured a record prize pool of USD 655 million across 48 teams.
Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, having completed more passes and covered more distance than any other player across Spain’s eight matches, despite not scoring or assisting. He edged out Lionel Messi, who received the Silver Ball, while Kylian Mbappé took the Bronze.
Mbappé claimed the Golden Boot with 10 goals and four assists, becoming the first player to win the award twice. His 10 goals in this tournament took his total career World Cup tally to 22, a new record. Unai Simón won the Golden Glove, having conceded just one goal across Spain’s eight matches. Pau Cubarsà was named Best Young Player at just 19, having played all eight of Spain’s matches.
Prize money breakdown:
- Champions (Spain): USD 50 million
- Runners-up (Argentina): USD 33 million
- Third place (England): USD 29 million
- Fourth place (France): USD 27 million
- Quarter-finalists (5th-8th): USD 19 million each
- Round of 16 (9th-16th): USD 15 million each
- Round of 32 (17th-32nd): USD 11 million each
- Group stage (33rd-48th): USD 9 million each
Individual awards:
- Golden Ball: Rodri (Spain)
- Silver Ball: Lionel Messi
- Bronze Ball: Kylian Mbappé
- Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé (10 goals)
- Golden Glove: Unai Simón (Spain)
- Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsà (Spain)
