The 2026 FIFA World Cup wrapped up on July 19 with Spain claiming their second title, edging Argentina 1-0 in a tightly fought final. Across the expanded 48-team format, the tournament delivered both chaos and brilliance - minnows like Cabo Verde stunned heavyweights, while Lionel Messi, at 39, produced a late-career masterclass that pushed him past the record books. Here is how the leading contenders fared.
Spain conquer all with relentless possession football
Luis de la Fuente's side stumbled early, held scoreless by Cabo Verde, but never looked seriously threatened after that. Wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in the group stage set the tone, and Spain dismantled Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France on their way to the final. Built around Rodri's control in midfield and the attacking spark of Lamine Yamal and Pedri, this Spain side married patient possession with sharp finishing. The reigning European champions arrived in the tournament having cruised through UEFA qualifying, and they leave as worthy back-to-back-style winners of the global game's biggest prize, 16 years after their maiden triumph in 2010.
Messi shines, but Argentina fall just short
Argentina's bid for a fourth star ended in heartbreak, held scoreless by Spain in the final after gritty, come-from-behind wins over Switzerland and England in the quarterfinal and semifinal. The holders looked laboured in the knockout rounds, needing narrow margins to see off Cabo Verde and Egypt. Yet the story of their campaign was Messi, who finished as the tournament's second-highest scorer with eight goals, turning back the clock to etch his name further into the sport's history. Lionel Scaloni's reign - already decorated with Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 and the 2022 World Cup - ends this cycle without the one trophy that would have completed an extraordinary collection, but Messi's farewell on football's biggest stage will be remembered regardless of the final scoreline.
England's best run since 1966 ends in semifinal heartbreak
Thomas Tuchel's team delivered England's deepest World Cup run in six decades, falling to Argentina in the semifinal before beating France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place playoff. The campaign was far from smooth - a goalless draw with Ghana and criticism over the exclusion of senior figures like Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold raised early doubts. But a resilient round-of-16 win over Mexico, achieved with ten men, and a composed quarterfinal victory over Norway showed genuine substance behind the talent of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. For a nation still chasing a second title since 1966, it was progress, even if the ultimate prize remains elusive.
France overcome injuries to finish fourth
Didier Deschamps's side endured a bruising campaign, losing Kylian Mbappé to injury before the tournament and stumbling through the group stage with a draw against the United States and a defeat to Senegal. Mbappé's return for the quarterfinal sparked a turnaround, scoring twice as France eliminated Brazil 3-2, before falling to Argentina in the semifinal. A fourth-place finish, capped by defeat to England in the playoff, reflects a squad that showed real character under difficult circumstances but could not match the depth of the tournament's eventual finalists.
