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A look at the most exciting moments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Ferran Torres of Spain celebrates after scoring the first and only goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match against Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium.David Ramos / Getty Images

Soccer

Spain took home the World Cup trophy after a 1-0 win over Argentina in extra time in the final. The tournament began on June 11.

By NBC News Digital Art and Photo Department

The 2026 World Cup has come to a close.

Spain is the winner after a thrilling 1-0 win in the final, holding off Lionel Messi and Argentina from winning a second consecutive title.

The tournament began on June 11 with the opening match in Mexico, before play extended to the United States and Canada. It was an exciting tournament overall, as well as the first to feature 48 teams.

New heroes — such as Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha — were created, while several of the sport’s legends — such as Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé — continued putting their stamp on the world’s biggest stage.

Here’s a look back at the tournament through some of the NBC News photo team’s favorite images, featuring unique atmospheres, raucous fans, the most memorable moments and more.

A view during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco.
On-field celebrations during the quarterfinal match between France and Morocco at Gillette Stadium.Ira L. Black / FIFA via Getty Images
A quad composite of World Cup images.
Clockwise from top left: A watch party in London; Japan supporters in Houston; U.S. fans at Los Angeles Stadium; a Haiti supporter in Port-au-Prince.Getty Images
Lionel Messi.
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi during the game against Switzerland in Kansas City.Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Victor Caldas cheers while inside of a prison amongst other inmates
Argentina fan Victor Caldas watches the semifinal match between England and Argentina with fellow Rikers Island inmates at the jail complex in New York.Seth Wenig / AP
A diptych of world cup photos.
From left: Vozinha of Cape Verde during a match against Argentina in Miami Gardens, Fla.; A Cape Verde fan with a replica trophy in Houston.Getty Images
John TenBrink,Dylan TenBrink
Fans watch as the United States loses to Belgium at a FIFA Fan Zone on the National Mall in Washington.Rod Lamkey / AP
Portugal v Croatia: Round of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates a goal against Croatia in Toronto.Patrick Smith / FIFA via Getty Images
Norway fans row during the first half of a FIFA World Cup.
Norway fans row in the stands during the first half of the match against Ivory Coast in Arlington, Texas.Juan Figueroa / The Dallas Morning News via Getty Images
A split composite image showing, left, Palestinians watching a unseen screen from a projector outside, and a boy watching a soccer match from a laptop as people sleep on sleeping bags around him inside of a shelter
From left: Palestinian football fans in the Gaza Strip watch the match between Australia and Egypt in Khan Younis; A young fan follows the match between Belgium and Senegal while sheltering in a metro station during Russian air attacks in Kyiv.Getty Images
On-field action during the world cup final match.
Enzo Fernandez of Argentina fouls Pau Cubarsi of Spain, resulting in a red card during the World Cup final match at New York New Jersey Stadium.Getty Images
Soccer fans at an outdoor watch party during the world cup/
A Lionel Messi fan watching the final match between Spain and Argentina on a giant screen in Buenos Aires.Tomas Cuesta / AFP via Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates scoring his team's first goal.
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates a goal against Sweden in East Rutherford, N.J. Maddie Meyer / FIFA via Getty Images
Erling Braut Haaland.
Erling Haaland of Norway warms up with teammates in Miami.Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images
A split composite image showing two people kissing as white particles fall, left, and Jan Paul Hecke and Ismael Saibari looking into each other's eyes as their noses touch
From left: Mexico fans kiss at the Angel of Independence in Mexico City ahead of the match against South Korea; Netherlands’ defender Jan Paul Van Hecke, left, and Morocco’s midfielder Ismael Saibari face off during their match in Guadalupe, Mexico.Getty Images
Guillermo Ochoa #13 of Mexico is tossed into the air by his teammates after the team's 3-0 victory.
Teammates toss Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico into the air following their victory against Czech Republic in Mexico City.Molly Darlington / Getty Images
APTOPIX Bosnia US WCup Soccer
Malik Tillman of the U.S. scores their second goal against Bosnia from a free kick.Martin Meissner / AP
Harry Kane consoles Jude Bellingham.
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham of England after their loss to Argentina at Atlanta Stadium.Julian Finney / FIFA via Getty Images
Scotland fans.
Scotland supporters at a match against Haiti in Boston.Erin Clark / Boston Globe via Getty Images file
Lionel Messi sitting on the pitch after losing the world cup final match.
Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after his team’s 0-1 loss to Spain in the final match of the 2026 World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium.Hector Vivas / FIFA via Getty Images
A diptych comp of world cup fans.
From left: Mexico supporters during a match against Ecuador in Guadalajara, Mexico; A fan at Boston Stadium pays homage to Kylian Mbappe of France.Getty Images
A series of white rings frame a man wearing a red suit coat and blue pants, standing in the crowd during a soccer game
Democratic Republic of Congo fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga (aka Lumumba Vea) during the team’s Group K match against Colombia in Zapopan, Mexico.Manuel Velasquez / FIFA via Getty Images
Lamine Yamal, back to camera, stands and prays on the soccer field
Lamine Yamal of Spain prays before his team’s match against Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium.Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images

 

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