From the best teams to the defining moments, biggest controversies, standout performers and the road to 2030, this is the final recap of World Cup 2026

It was Didier Deschamps who was the first at this World Cup to criticise the quality of the pitch at the MetLife Stadium, which hosted France’s opening match of the tournament against Senegal. As

Jill Zarin praised the FIFA World Cup halftime show, but Bravo fans quickly brought up her controversial Super Bowl comments and questioned her latest review.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show could have been a world-class mess. There was just so much to balance — most notably, an overstocked lineup of megastars with accompanying mega-egos — in such a short amount of time.

The beautiful game and its tournament crown jewel took a crack at an American custom, but it didn't get beyond the practice stage.

For the first time, with Spain and Argentina squaring off on the field for the biggest trophy in professional sports, the World Cup final had a halftime show. And its disjointed and honestly kind of chaotic nature did not resonate well with soccer fans.

Caitlin Clark did not hold back when the Indiana Fever star was asked about Spain’s World Cup final victory over Lionel Messi and Argentina.

ATLANTA (AP) — The World Cup final between Spain and defending champion Argentina marks the end of the biggest tournament in the competition’s history. At the final whistle in New Jersey on Sunday, a record 104 games will have been played across almost six weeks and three countries.

VAR has changed how soccer is officiated and it has new powers at the 2026 World Cup. Here is how the video review system works.

More stoppages gave substitutes more time to stamp their mark – but how many goals is too many for one tournament?