The 2026 World Cup may be remembered more for FIFA’s bold embrace of American sports traditions – from hydration breaks and halftime shows to championship rings – than for which team claimed the trophy.

From mandatory “hydration” breaks that effectively split matches into four quarters to championship ​rings, a halftime show and an ever more tightly packaged entertainment product, FIFA embraced elements of the U.S. sporting model with enthusiasm.

Some of those innovations will probably be remembered as novelties of an American-hosted tournament – while others may prove harder ⁠to dislodge. The mid-half breaks, brought in throughout the competition regardless of whether ⁠conditions strictly required them, were introduced by FIFA on player-welfare grounds in a tournament played through the heat and humidity of a North American summer.

Once established, they also created something football has traditionally resisted: two scheduled interruptions in the middle of each half. For coaches, they became tactical timeouts.

For broadcasters, they ​offered natural windows that could one day carry enormous commercial value. But for supporters accustomed to football’s continuous rhythm, they ​made ⁠matches feel increasingly divided into four quarters.

That is where the legacy question becomes more pertinent. The breaks are likely to be discussed for future World Cups, not least because player welfare offers FIFA an obvious rationale for retaining them and because the commercial potential of fixed mid-half pauses will be difficult for the sport’s decision-makers to ignore.

Yet any attempt to normalize them globally would meet resistance, particularly in Europe, where football’s relative freedom from stoppages remains one of the characteristics supporters most fiercely defend. UEFA has said it will not bend its rule that hydration breaks cannot exceed one minute.

The tournament therefore became a test case for how far FIFA is willing to reshape football in the image of the market in which it is being played. The answer is: quite far.

Blurred lines

The winning team, Spain, received championship rings, a tradition imported directly from North American sport, while the showpiece final itself featured a major halftime entertainment production that has drawn obvious comparisons with the Super Bowl and led to a 27-minute interval, shooting past the sacrosanct 15-minute halftime period.

Neither changes the absolute fundamentals of the game. But they contributed to a sense that FIFA was no longer merely bringing the World Cup to the ⁠United ⁠States but increasingly adapting the World Cup to American sporting culture. There was an irony in that. Across the tournament, American cities experienced much of what has always made international football distinct: vast traveling support, flags filling city centers, supporters singing for hours before and after matches and national teams carrying a sense of identity that no franchise model can easily reproduce.

The United States appeared to be absorbing the culture of football. At the same time, FIFA seemed intent on absorbing the culture of American sports entertainment and projecting it to fans worldwide. The tournament was also unavoidably political, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump becoming one of its defining off-field themes. To critics, Infantino’s proximity to Trump often went beyond the diplomatic courtesies normally expected between the head of a global sports body and the leader of a host nation. The controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case brought those concerns into especially sharp focus after Trump publicly praised FIFA’s handling of the ⁠matter following his own intervention. FIFA said its judicial bodies acted independently and autonomously, but the episode reinforced an impression among some that the line between football governance and political influence had become uncomfortably blurred.

Referring debates

The tournament’s inevitable refereeing controversies added another layer of unease. Officials were asked to enforce a game operating under new rules and interpretations while also managing familiar pressures over consistency, player protection and the ​growing influence of technology.

The result was a World Cup in which debate often moved beyond whether one decision was right or wrong and toward something more fundamental: whether the laws ​of the game had become too complicated for players, coaches and supporters to understand in real-time. New interpretations were meant to bring greater clarity and consistency, but the tournament frequently demonstrated how difficult both can be to achieve.

VAR remained central to major decisions, but technology did little to eliminate argument. On ⁠some occasions, it merely shifted ‌the argument from ‌the referee’s judgment to the interpretation of slow-motion images and technical language. That was compounded by a wider atmosphere of ⁠suspicion around officiating, with conspiracy theories amplified on social media and referees often unable to answer back.

FIFA ‌refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina dismissed allegations of bias and said match officials operated with complete independence. On the pitch, the expanded 48-team format produced a mixed verdict. There was more football, more countries and more opportunities for ​nations previously not included in the sport’s biggest event.

The ⁠expanded knockout phase gave the group stage additional jeopardy, but the sheer scale of 104 matches made this World Cup feel ⁠less like a concentrated festival and more like a vast sporting season squeezed into a matter of weeks.

That size suited FIFA’s commercial ambitions and the geography of the hosts ⁠, but whether it improved the sporting product ​is more debatable. The tournament still delivered what World Cups always do: new heroes, fallen favorites, national heartbreak and moments that cut through the noise surrounding the event. Its most lasting legacy, however, may not be a match or a champion, but the precedent it has created. The real test of that will come in 2030.

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Palestinians gathered at cafes in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, erupting in celebration as Spain defeated Argentina to claim the title.

The screening offered residents a few hours away from the pressures of war and the hardships of daily life in the enclave.

Many in the crowd backed Spain in recognition of its support for the Palestinian people.

“We came together to support Spain because it has stood by the Palestinian people for years,” Numan Abdullah, a Gaza resident who watched the match, told Anadolu Agency (AA).

He said the gathering also carried a message of peace and solidarity with countries that stand with Palestinians.

“We are a people who seek peace,” Abdullah said.

Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final, securing its second world title after its triumph in 2010. Argentina, meanwhile, failed to retain the title it won at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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Thousands of jubilant fans in Madrid erupted into Queen’s “We Are the Champions” after Spain clinched the World Cup title Sunday.

Even passengers on an Iberia flight were treated to the anthem by the British rock band.

The Iberia pilot could barely contain himself after safely landing the plane at Madrid airport, announcing: “We are world champions, ladies and gentlemen, dear passengers.”

La Roja – as the national side are known – beat 2022 champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in New Jersey to secure their second “star” having also won in 2010.

No one in Madrid was likely to get much sleep, such were the celebrations in the city, which erupted close to midnight (10 p.m. GMT) when the final whistle was blown on a match that the Spanish dominated before Ferran Torres secured victory with a goal in extra time.

The horns of cars blared, though they were not going far with the hordes of people who flooded the streets, cheering raucously and blowing vuvuzelas – the instrument that became a feature of the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa.

Thousands dressed in the team strip, brandishing the national flag, and with their faces painted, had already gathered to watch the final on a giant screen in the centre of the capital city.

Flares and fireworks also lit up the sky and 25-year-old Diego gasped with disbelief that for the second time in his relatively short life, his country had won the biggest trophy in the sport.

“We won the Euro in 2008, then the World Cup: two years ago we won the Euro again and now once more we have won the World Cup,” he purred.

He said he would grab some sleep before awaiting the arrival of the returning heroes because “we must also celebrate that.”

Around 1 million people are expected to line the parade route, with additional security and transport measures planned to handle the crowds.

‘Going to Cibeles!’

“It is crazy to think we are singing it because at one point we no longer believed it would happen,” said 26-year-old Alejandra Silva, who had to raise her voice to be heard.

Her friend Angela Lambea, 30, said it would have been unfair if superstar Lionel Messi and his side – whose overly physical tactics eventually resulted in Enzo Fernandez being sent off – had gone on to win.

“We deserved it, we played really well, we had the ball the whole time, Argentina barely touched it. We are totally overcome with emotion,” she said.

Both of them were keen to carry on the celebrations, though, with the caveat that they had to work Monday.

Cries of “Campeones, campeones!” (“Champions, champions!”) and “Que viva Espana!” rang out.

Indeed, their celebrations were mirrored across a football-mad country of around 50 million people, although some of the younger revellers would have had no memory of the earlier glory nights.

One who did is 40-year-old John Molina, who remembers the first World Cup victory, in the final against the Netherlands 16 years ago, which he said was “a dream” at that time.

He already has his eyes on where he will carry on celebrating: “We are all going to Cibeles,” the square where Real Madrid supporters gather to fete their club’s trophies.

Molina and others may as well stay on – though the detritus of Sunday night and Monday morning’s celebrations will have had to be cleared away quickly – as Rodri, Lamine Yamal and their teammates will end their victory parade there later Monday.

It promises to be another party to remember.

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FIFA has removed more than seven million potentially abusive posts and comments on social media during the 2026 World Cup, a figure the governing body said is 14 times higher than the number recorded at the previous tournament in Qatar.

With the 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada set to conclude Sunday with the final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said its Social Media Protection Service has played a key role in identifying and limiting online abuse directed at players, coaches, officials and teams.

The protection program, introduced ahead of the 2022 World Cup in partnership with global players’ union FIFPRO, has been made available to all participating teams and individuals.

It combines artificial intelligence tools with human moderation to monitor harmful content across social media platforms in more than 50 languages.

FIFA said it has reported more than 200,000 insulting and intimidating messages during the tournament and taken appropriate action. More than 1,000 cases involving exceptionally serious threats have been forwarded to relevant authorities for further investigation.

The governing body said the scale of abuse has increased significantly compared with the 2022 World Cup, partly because of the expanded 48-team format and the wider reach of social media during the tournament.

Since launching the service, FIFA said it has analyzed more than 250 million posts and comments across its competitions, removing or limiting the visibility of more than 30 million abusive messages.

During the 2026 World Cup, the system has monitored millions of interactions, identifying racist abuse, threats, discriminatory language and other forms of online harassment.

FIFA said racial abuse accounted for more than 11% of the abusive content detected during the tournament’s early stages.

The service works by automatically detecting harmful messages and hiding them from targeted users before they appear on their profiles.

Posts flagged by the system are then reviewed by specialists, with serious cases reported to social media companies or law enforcement agencies when necessary.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly condemned online abuse, saying hate speech has no place in football or society.

The fight against online toxicity has become a growing issue across global sports, with players and officials increasingly targeted by abusive messages after major matches.

FIFA said its protection measures are designed not only to remove harmful content but also to create a safer digital environment for those involved in the game.

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The FIFA World Cup trophy will arrive at the 2026 final in signature style after Louis Vuitton unveiled the bespoke trunk that will carry football’s most coveted prize to New York New Jersey Stadium, continuing a partnership that has become one of the tournament’s defining ceremonial traditions.

The French luxury fashion house has once again been entrusted with designing and crafting the custom case that will transport and present the iconic 18-carat gold FIFA World Cup Trophy before the championship match on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It marks the fifth consecutive men’s World Cup for which Louis Vuitton has created the official Trophy Trunk, following editions in South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

Handcrafted by master artisans at Louis Vuitton’s historic workshops in Asnières-sur-Seine, near Paris, the trunk blends the brand’s traditional craftsmanship with one of the world’s most recognizable sporting symbols.

The exterior is wrapped in Louis Vuitton’s signature Monogram canvas and finished with leather trim, gold-plated brass hardware and reinforced corner protectors. Dominating the front panels is a hand-painted golden “V,” representing both “Victory” and “Vuitton,” while mirroring the gleaming finish of the World Cup trophy itself.

Inside, the trunk is lined with soft beige leather and features a commemorative Louis Vuitton-FIFA partnership patch. The interior is custom-built to securely protect the trophy throughout its journey while also serving as its presentation case during the tournament’s closing ceremony.

The original FIFA World Cup Trophy, designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, stands 36.8 centimeters (14.5 inches) tall, weighs about 6.175 kilograms (13.6 pounds) and has been awarded since 1974, replacing the Jules Rimet Trophy. Unlike previous trophies, the original remains FIFA’s permanent property and is kept at the FIFA Museum in Zurich between tournaments. Winning teams receive a gold-plated replica rather than the original.

Before the trophy is presented to the 2026 champions, it will make its ceremonial entrance inside the Louis Vuitton trunk, carried onto the field by the brand’s ambassadors alongside a FIFA legend.

“For over a decade, Louis Vuitton and FIFA have shared an unwavering commitment to excellence, bound by a shared belief in sport’s power to inspire and bring people together,” Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO Pietro Beccari said in a statement.

“We are thrilled to continue this partnership for the FIFA World Cup 2026. At its heart stands the world’s most coveted trophy, a symbol of dedication, collective ambition and the ultimate celebration of victory.”

FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai also praised the collaboration, saying the Trophy Trunk reflects the prestige, heritage and global appeal of the World Cup while celebrating craftsmanship and football excellence.

The partnership illustrates the growing relationship between elite sports and luxury brands. Tiffany & Co. has crafted the Vince Lombardi Trophy awarded to Super Bowl champions since the inaugural game in 1967, while Louis Vuitton has expanded its presence across global sports by producing bespoke trophy trunks for Formula 1, the Australian Open, the Rugby World Cup, the America’s Cup and several other premier events.

To commemorate the 2026 World Cup, Louis Vuitton is also releasing a limited-edition capsule collection inspired by the Trophy Trunk, including luxury watch cases and a travel trunk that echo the design of the official presentation case.

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Neither France nor England envisioned ending their World Cup campaign in the third-place playoff, but Saturday’s bronze-medal match in Miami still offers meaningful storylines, with Didier Deschamps coaching France for the final time and Kylian Mbappe chasing another place in tournament history.

Both European powers arrive after painful semifinal defeats that ended their hopes of lifting the trophy.

France were outclassed 2-0 by Spain, while England surrendered an early lead in a 2-1 loss to defending champions Argentina, leaving two disappointed squads to compete for a bronze medal that rarely eases the sting of missing the final.

For France, the occasion marks the end of one of the most successful managerial eras in international football.

Deschamps will take charge of Les Bleus for the last time after 14 years in charge, a reign highlighted by the 2018 World Cup title, a runners-up finish in 2022 and three consecutive World Cup semifinal appearances.

The 57-year-old had hoped to depart with another shot at the championship, but instead will look to leave with one final victory.

His farewell comes days after a disappointing tactical display against Spain. Deschamps had publicly labeled the Spaniards as favorites before the semifinal, and La Roja justified that status with a composed performance that neutralized France’s attack.

A first-half penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a superb finish by Pedro Porro secured Spain’s place in Sunday’s final against Argentina, while France managed just 0.31 expected goals and rarely threatened throughout the contest.

The defeat sparked widespread criticism of France’s cautious approach, with captain Mbappe among those questioning the team’s tactics after the match. Although Deschamps left an extraordinary legacy that includes becoming the coach with the most World Cup matches managed, his final tournament ended with frustration rather than another appearance on football’s biggest stage.

France now seek a third World Cup bronze medal after previous third-place finishes in 1958 and 1986. Their only defeat in a third-place playoff came against Poland in 1982.

England are attempting to recover from another agonizing semifinal exit that has reignited familiar questions about their ability to overcome elite opposition in major tournaments.

Thomas Tuchel’s side made an encouraging start against Argentina, taking the lead through Anthony Gordon after exploiting space on the flanks. But the decision to retreat and protect the advantage ultimately backfired as Lionel Messi orchestrated Argentina’s comeback with assists for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.

The defeat continued England’s struggles against the world’s top teams. The Three Lions have now lost all seven of their World Cup knockout matches against opponents ranked inside FIFA’s top 10 and became the first team this century to twice surrender a lead in a World Cup semifinal after also doing so against Croatia in 2018.

Tuchel has also faced criticism for his tactical decisions, despite guiding England to one of their deepest tournament runs in recent memory. Saturday offers an opportunity to secure England’s best World Cup finish since 1966, although the consolation prize is unlikely to satisfy a team that believed it could challenge for the title.

England have never won a World Cup third-place playoff, losing to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018. They also enter the match having won just one of their last nine meetings with France, including a quarterfinal defeat at the 2022 World Cup.

Both coaches are expected to rotate heavily after physically and emotionally demanding campaigns through the expanded 48-team tournament.

France’s biggest concern centers on William Saliba, who left the Spain match in the first half because of a recurring back problem. The Arsenal defender is expected to miss Saturday’s game, opening the door for Maxence Lacroix to start in central defense.

Deschamps could also make further changes at the back after previously favoring Lacroix over Ibrahima Konate because of tactical considerations, while backup goalkeeper Brice Samba missed training following the semifinal defeat but is not expected to force a change in goal.

England are also dealing with defensive injuries after Reece James suffered a muscular problem against Argentina shortly after returning from a hamstring injury.

Jarell Quansah is available again after serving a two-match suspension and could come into the starting lineup, while Djed Spence is expected to switch flanks to accommodate further defensive adjustments. Jordan Henderson remains unavailable with a wrist injury.

There is also uncertainty surrounding Jude Bellingham after television cameras appeared to capture the midfielder striking Argentina’s Valentin Barco on the back of the head during post-match celebrations, raising the possibility of disciplinary action.

Despite the disappointment surrounding the fixture, France still have individual milestones to pursue.

Mbappe enters the match with eight goals at this World Cup and 20 overall in the competition, putting him firmly in contention for the Golden Boot while moving him closer to the tournament’s all-time scoring record.

With less tactical pressure than a final and little left to lose, the bronze-medal match could provide the France captain with one last opportunity to cap another outstanding World Cup campaign with a historic achievement.

For England, the match offers fringe players a final chance to impress before qualifying for the next major tournament begins. For France, it is an opportunity to give one of the country’s greatest coaches a winning farewell.

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