Spain completed a memorable FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign by defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final while dominating FIFA’s individual awards.
Midfield star Rodri capped an extraordinary comeback from a serious knee injury by winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
The victory at New York New Jersey Stadium secured Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title and crowned a tournament in which La Roja excelled in every department.
Rodri received the Golden Ball after leading Spain throughout the competition and adding another major honour to an already remarkable career. The Manchester City midfielder became only the fourth player to win the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, joining Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Zinedine Zidane.
The award carried added significance after Rodri’s recovery from a ruptured ACL that sidelined him for months. Speaking after receiving the honour, the 30-year-old described the achievement as the perfect conclusion to a difficult journey.
“It feels like the perfect script. I certainly didn’t expect this,” Rodri said.
He said he hoped younger footballers would draw inspiration from his comeback.
“I’d love for the younger generations to see that a player who touches the heavens, then descends into hell, can come back. It’s a lesson in overcoming adversity.”
Despite the individual recognition, Rodri insisted Spain’s World Cup triumph mattered far more than any personal accolade.
“This group is incredible. We are two-time world champions. It’s the hardest achievement in football, and we won it against a team like Argentina.”
Rodri praised Spain’s collective effort throughout the tournament, saying the team remained united against an organised Argentine defence before substitute Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in extra time.
“That’s the secret of the national team. We’re always going to fight for each other. In the end, God rewards you. We’ve been brave.”
He acknowledged Argentina’s quality but believed Spain deserved to lift the trophy.
“Argentina are world champions, and they’re difficult to break down, but Spain are simply very good. In the end, the result was fair.”
Rodri finished ahead of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who claimed the Silver Ball, while France striker Kylian Mbappé received the Bronze Ball.
Messi narrowly missed becoming the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball three times after leading Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final.
Mbappé, meanwhile, finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals to secure the Golden Boot despite France ending the competition in fourth place.
Spain’s dominance extended beyond Rodri’s success. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí was named FIFA Best Young Player after producing one of the standout defensive performances of the tournament.
The 19-year-old started all eight matches and formed a formidable partnership with Aymeric Laporte as Spain conceded just one goal throughout the competition while recording seven clean sheets.
Cubarsí became the first defender to win the Best Young Player award and only the fifth teenager to lift the FIFA World Cup.
His rapid rise has already included Olympic gold with Spain’s Under-23 side and consecutive La Liga titles with Barcelona, where he has established himself as one of the club’s brightest young stars.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón completed the clean sweep by winning the FIFA Golden Glove after delivering one of the finest goalkeeping campaigns in World Cup history.
The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper kept seven clean sheets, setting a new tournament record for the most shutouts in a single FIFA World Cup. Spain also conceded only one goal across eight matches, the fewest ever by a World Cup-winning side.
Before the final, Simón had already surpassed the previous record of five clean sheets jointly held by Fabien Barthez, Oliver Kahn, Gianluigi Buffon and Spanish legend Iker Casillas.
His composed distribution, command of the penalty area, and consistent shot-stopping played a crucial role in Spain’s title-winning campaign.
Although Argentina fell short in the final, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez also entered the record books by making 11 saves against Spain, the most by any goalkeeper in a FIFA World Cup final.
Martínez’s performance included a dramatic stoppage-time penalty save from Lamine Yamal after Argentina had been reduced to 10 men following Enzo Fernández’s dismissal. However, Ferran Torres eventually broke the deadlock in extra time to seal Spain’s victory.
Spain finished the FIFA World Cup 2026 as deserving champions after combining defensive excellence, midfield control, and attacking resilience throughout the tournament.
Led by Rodri’s inspirational leadership, Cubarsí’s maturity and Simón’s record-breaking performances, La Roja not only lifted the World Cup trophy but also dominated FIFA’s post-tournament honours.
