Spain have won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium in New York. The match was the culmination of a tournament spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico — the largest World Cup in the competition’s history — and it drew a crowd that blended football royalty with Hollywood in a way only a New York venue could.
Lamine Yamal, one of the tournament’s standout performers, celebrated on the pitch with his younger brother Keyne, a moment that became one of the final’s most widely shared images. On the other end of the post-match atmosphere, Donald Trump reportedly refused to leave the stage during Spain’s celebrations, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino stepping in to move him along.
The VIP section delivered
The celebrity attendance at the final was significant even by World Cup standards. Rihanna and A Rocky were spotted in a luxury suite, champagne in hand. Beyoncé and Jay-Z watched from the VIP area. Dua Lipa and Callum Turner — still very much in newlywed mode — wore matching sunglasses. David and Victoria Beckham were there. Kevin Hart, Matt Damon, Winnie Harlow, Pharrell Williams, Gayle King, Dwyane Wade, Serena Williams and Karl-Anthony Towns were all part of the scene.
Timothée Chalamet, who had the honour of delivering the official match ball onto the field before kickoff, attended with Kylie Jenner. The pairing attracted some commentary given that Jenner’s grandmother had recently passed away, but the couple were clearly present and engaged throughout.
A ceremony to match the occasion
The opening ceremony featured Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Post Malone, Swae Lee, Jennifer Hudson and Laura Pausini, with Tom Cruise delivering an address. His words were in keeping with the moment: This is football. This is unity. This is greatness.
For the first time in World Cup history, the tournament also featured halftime performances at the final — with Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS bringing the kind of spectacle that made the occasion feel as much like a cultural event as a sporting one.
Spain’s win ends the tournament. The conversations — about the performances, the celebrities, the politics and Lamine Yamal’s little brother — will carry on considerably longer.
ALSO SEE:
Featured Image: X (formerly known as Twitter)
