Spain Wins 2026 World Cup Final Over Argentina
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- Spain beat Argentina 1-0 through a Ferran Torres goal in extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, claiming their second World Cup title in what the source calls a final remembered more for its surroundings than the football itself.
- Donald Trump arrived at the final in one of three helicopters, took his seat alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino about 20 minutes before kick-off, joined Infantino in handing out medals, and then lingered at the trophy presentation — drawing boos from the crowd.
- Cristian Romero of Argentina walked past Trump without shaking his hand after receiving his medal from Infantino, the source notes, making him at least one player who visibly rejected the handshake line.
- The half-time show was extended to 27 minutes and featured Madonna, BTS, Coldplay and Shakira (whose 'Dai Dai' is the tournament's official anthem); Justin Bieber performed an acoustic 'Everything Hallelujah' after receiving a pep talk from Ted Lasso and his assistant coach Beard.
- Former England striker Wayne Rooney told the BBC's Match of the Day the half-time show was 'crap,' adding that performances and timings were bad and that organizers should 'just let us play football.'
- Earlier in the tournament, Trump admitted he had spoken to Infantino and asked him to review US striker Folarin Balogun's red card; the suspension was lifted and Balogun played in the last-16 loss to Belgium.
- US Secret Service took over security for the final, with spectator gates opening four hours before kick-off — confusion over access gates and thorougher bag checks produced long queues, though congestion cleared before kick-off.
Why it matters: The 2026 final exposed how thoroughly the tournament's politics bled into its football: Trump publicly intervened to get a US player's red card overturned mid-competition, then arrived by helicopter and commandeered the trophy ceremony. The crowd boos and Romero's handshake snub show the politicization drew real-time resistance, even as Infantino appeared comfortable hosting the US president throughout — meaning FIFA's relationship with a sitting head of state is now part of how a World Cup gets staged, not just who attends one.
