The big stories — and best photos — from the 2026 World Cup

Listen to this article

Estimated 4 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

After 48 teams played in 104 matches over 39 days in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, the World Cup champions were crowned Sunday, as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0.

Here’s a look back at some of the main storylines from the tournament, as illustrated by some of the tourney’s best photos.

Canada did better than ever before…

Canada entered the tournament without so much as a draw in its first two World Cup appearances. This time, they finished second in their group and won their first elimination game to make it to the Round of 16.

Here, Cyle Larin sees, hears and speaks no evil as he celebrates his goal, Canada’s first of the tournament, against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12.

A player in a Canada soccer jersey closes his eyes and plugs his ears. — Canadian forward Cyle Larin celebrates after scoring a goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12. (Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images)

… but still wants more

A soccer ball in the top left of the goal as a goalkeeper in yellow, No. 16, stretches out to unsuccessful to stop, in a full stadium. — Azzedine Ounahi puts Morocco’s second goal past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau during their World Cup Round of 16 match on July 4. Canada fell 3-0 and was eliminated from the tournament. (David J. Phillip/The Associated Press)

After Canada’s elimination loss to Morocco in Houston, pictured above, neither fans nor players seemed content with Canada’s success.

“I just can’t wait for four years’ time,” Canadian defender Luc de Fougerolles said. “I think as a team, we just need to be there [in the next World Cup]. I just want to have another run like this and go further and do even more for the country.”

This World Cup had a lot of Cinderellas…

Before the tournament, observers had wondered if the expansion to 48 teams from the previous 32 would lead to a dilution in play. Tell that to Curaçao, Congo or Cape Verde, who delighted fans with their strong play.

Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha became a breakout star at the age of 40, gaining millions of followers on social media. Here he makes a save in a stunning draw against eventual tournament winner Spain.

A goaltender in yellow stretches with one hand straight upward. A player in red holds his head in his hands. Fans watch intently. The ball sails over the net. — Cape Verde goaltender Vozinha makes a save against Spain in Atlanta on June 15. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)

… but soccer’s biggest stars dominated

Ultimately, the tournament was led by the usual suspects, with the semi-final places won by world soccer governing body FIFA’s top four ranked teams: Argentina, Spain, France and England.

Superstars Kylian Mbappé of France and Lionel Messi of Argentina fought to the end for the Golden Boot. But Mbappé saw his goal tally eventually match his jersey number, with 10 goals for the tourney.

A player in white, No. 10, runs on the soccer pitch, a red balloon in front of him where the ball might normally be. — Mbappé chases the ball as a balloon flies by during the World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., on July 9. (Martin Meissner/The Associated Press)

World soccer fans loved the U.S….

Ahead of the tournament, worries over visas, guns and a lack of local interest had made many global fans skeptical of the ⁠U.S. role in hosting. But ⁠ultimately supporters found a warm welcome from Americans in what ‌became known as the Great American Sleepover. Social media was filled with cross-cultural posts of Americans embracing the traditions of visiting supporters — even morning bagpipes — and Europeans discovering the delights of free soda refills.

Here, Brazilian fans watch a match on June 19 with the Philadelphia skyline in the distance.

Fans in yellow at the upper tier of a stadium, the illuminated billboard below them saying, "FIFA WORLD CUP 2026," the silhouettes of skyscrapers at twilight visible in the distance. — Fans watch Brazil and Haiti at the Philadelphia Stadium on June 19. (Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images)

… but liked Trump less

U.S. President Donald Trump didn’t attend any World Cup games until Sunday’s final, but his relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino came into sharp focus when U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red card was suspended ahead of the team’s Round of 16 game against Belgium.

Trump said he had called Infantino to ask for the decision to be reviewed, before FIFA made Balogun eligible to play. FIFA insisted its disciplinary bodies acted independently, but the incident raised questions about political interference and drew sharp condemnation from many soccer fans.

Ultimately, the decision didn’t help the U.S., as it lost 4-1 to Belgium.

Trump continued to put his stamp on the event on Sunday, helping to hand the World Cup trophy to Spain players assembled for their victory photo, and then remained directly at their side as they jumped up and down in celebration.

Players in red reach their arms out and focus inward on each other. Two men in suits stand off to the side. — Spain prepares to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy as FIFA president Gianni Infantino directs U.S. President Donald Trump away from the podium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday. (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Big ticket prices, but fans still turned up and tuned in

There were concerns going into the tournament that FIFA’s introduction of dynamic pricing would make game tickets unaffordable for average fans. Some critics accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal.”

For all the criticism, fans still turned up in big numbers, even for games that didn’t feature marquee teams or players. Fandoms around the world, including in host cities Vancouver and Toronto, also seemed undeterred despite complaints about video replay and newly instituted hydration breaks.

Here are some of the best fan photos of the last six weeks: