Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in New Jersey, sealing the country’s second world title and ending a tournament that produced record income for FIFA while leaving questions over the cost of the event and the role of politics in football.<\/p>\n
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The match at New York New Jersey Stadium ended with celebrations for Spain, yet the trophy ceremony soon shifted attention elsewhere after US President\u00a0Donald Trump remained on stage as the players celebrated.<\/p>\n
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The United States president, who attended the final alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, faced boos from sections of the crowd before and during the presentation.<\/p>\n
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Trump became the first sitting US president to attend a men’s World Cup final held on American soil. He arrived at the stadium by helicopter before watching the match from a hospitality suite with Infantino. Spain’s King Felipe VI, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also attended the final.<\/p>\n
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The atmosphere changed during the medal and trophy presentation. As Trump and Infantino walked onto the pitch, boos spread around the stadium. The\u00a0White House pool reporters measured crowd noise rising from about 78 decibels before Trump’s appearance to 84 decibels as he entered the field.<\/p>\n
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After presenting the World Cup trophy to Spain captain Rodri, Trump stayed beside the squad while the players prepared for the traditional celebration. Television pictures showed Infantino approaching the president before guiding him away from the podium as Rodri lifted the trophy.<\/p>\n
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The sequence spread across social media within minutes. Videos of Trump remaining on stage circulated widely, prompting criticism from many users who argued the moment diverted attention from Spain’s victory. Others defended the president, saying he had simply congratulated the players before leaving.<\/p>\n
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The incident echoed last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final, also staged in New Jersey, when Trump remained alongside Chelsea players during their trophy celebrations after presenting the cup.<\/p>\n
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Before the final, Trump publicly backed Argentina. Speaking to Fox, he said: “It’s hard to bet against Messi.” He also praised Argentine president Javier Milei, calling him “a friend of mine” who had done “a terrific job.”<\/p>\n
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Spain’s victory added another chapter to online discussions surrounding what social media users describe as the “Trump curse”, a phrase used whenever teams backed by the president fail to win. The expression again trended after the final.<\/p>\n
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Despite the attention surrounding the ceremony, Spain’s success completed a campaign built on consistent performances throughout the expanded 48-team competition. The tournament featured 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico, making it the largest World Cup in history.<\/p>\n
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The expanded format also produced record commercial returns.<\/p>\n
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According to information shared by FIFA with its member associations, football’s governing body expects tournament revenue to reach about $15 billion, well above its earlier projection of $11 billion.<\/p>\n
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The figure builds on the record income generated during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA’s earnings came from broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements, ticket sales, hospitality packages and commercial licensing.<\/p>\n
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Business analysts expect the governing body’s income across the current four-year cycle to approach $13 billion. The enlarged tournament created more matches, more television inventory and more sponsorship opportunities than any previous edition.<\/p>\n
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Broadcasters also benefited from the competition’s expanded schedule. Advertising demand remained strong throughout the tournament, particularly during knockout matches. Hydration breaks introduced during games created additional commercial slots in several television markets.<\/p>\n
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Sportswear manufacturers also reported increased demand for national team shirts. Nike said sales of its international kits more than doubled compared with the previous World Cup, while Adidas reported strong demand across several participating nations.<\/p>\n
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Betting companies also recorded growth as the tournament expanded from 64 matches in 2022 to more than 100 fixtures. Industry analysts estimate total betting turnover reached about $50 billion during the competition.<\/p>\n
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Supporters, though, faced rising costs throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n
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Official ticket prices for the final reached tens of thousands of dollars in premium categories, while resale prices climbed much higher. Transport costs also attracted criticism. New Jersey Transit increased fares for services to the stadium before reducing them following public criticism, although prices remained above normal levels.<\/p>\n
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The competition also drew scrutiny following FIFA’s decision to overturn the suspension<\/a> handed to United States forward Folarin Balogun after intervention from senior political figures. The decision became one of the biggest controversies of the World Cup and prompted criticism from observers who questioned FIFA’s independence.<\/p>\n
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