France exits World Cup in third-place playoff loss to England
France loses third-place playoff to England; Deschamps ends 14-year managerial tenure.
Event / Sports
2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament, featuring matches, results, and related developments from the competition.
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2026-08-17 to 2026-11-14 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 5 Jul, 22:53 UTC
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What happened
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón conceded only 1 goal in 7 matches
Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón has conceded only one goal across seven matches in the 2026 World Cup tournament, demonstrating exceptional defensive performance.
Spain and Argentina have only one prior World Cup meeting in 1966
Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, but only one meeting was in a World Cup: in 1966 during group play, when Argentina defeated Spain 2-1. The other 13 meetings were friendly exhibitions.
World Cup closing ceremony at 1:30 p.m. with Post Malone headlining
The 2026 World Cup closing ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, 90 minutes before kickoff. Post Malone headlines with performances by Tom Cruise, IShowSpeed, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem.
Spain won its only World Cup title in 2010
Spain's only World Cup championship came in 2010, won through their famous "tiki-taka" style. A second title in 2026 would tie Spain with France and Uruguay for fifth all-time.
Spain defeated Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and France
Spain progressed through the tournament with victories: a scoreless draw against Cape Verde in group play, then wins over Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0), Austria (3-0), Portugal (1-0), Belgium (2-1), and France (2-0) in knockout stages.
Spain defeated France 2-0 in World Cup semifinal
Spain shutout France in the World Cup semifinal, winning 2-0. Mikel Oyarzabal scored in the 22nd minute, and Pedro Porro added another goal in the second half.
Spain and Argentina advance to 2026 FIFA World Cup final
Spain and Argentina qualified as finalists for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their respective semifinal victories. Argentina is the defending World Cup champion from 2022, while Spain is the reigning European Championship holder from 2024.
Argentina won World Cup titles in 1978, 1986, and 2022
Argentina has won three World Cup championships (1978, 1986, 2022) and reached seven finals total, with runner-up finishes in 1930, 1990, and 2014.
Inaugural World Cup halftime show features BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and Shakira
The first-ever World Cup halftime show will feature BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and Shakira as co-headliners, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin. Additional performers include Burna Boy and conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
Lionel Messi has scored 8 goals and 4 assists in 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Argentine captain, has recorded 8 goals and 4 assists through the 2026 World Cup tournament and is competing for the Golden Boot award, though he trails Kylian Mbappé in the race.
Argentina defeated Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, Switzerland, Egypt, and England
Argentina progressed with victories over Algeria (3-0), Austria (2-0), Jordan (3-1), Cape Verde (after extra time), Switzerland (in stoppage time), Egypt (after dramatic comeback), and England (2-1) in the semifinal.
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in World Cup semifinal
Argentina beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, both assisted by Lionel Messi, with the winning goal coming in stoppage time.
2026 FIFA World Cup final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium
The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal leads Spanish scorers with 5 goals
Forward Mikel Oyarzabal is the leading scorer for Spain in the 2026 World Cup with 5 goals, followed by substitute Mikel Merino with 2 goals.
Lamine Yamal, 19, wins penalty for Spain in semifinal against France
Spanish winger Lamine Yamal, age 19, demonstrated crucial performance in the semifinal against France, winning a penalty through his craftiness in the box despite not scoring goals in the tournament.
2026 World Cup expected to set attendance and viewership records
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is expected to set a record for attendance and become the most-watched tournament ever.
Mbappé scores 22 goals at 2026 World Cup
Kylian Mbappé scored 22 goals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a double against England in the third-place match. Mbappé is competing with Lionel Messi for the distinction of top scorer in World Cup history.
Slovene referee Slavko Vincic officiates World Cup final
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, 46 years old, was designated by FIFA to officiate the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Vincic becomes the first Slovenian to direct a World Cup final match.
Spain faces Argentina in 2026 FIFA World Cup final
Spain and Argentina are competing in the FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, at 21:00 Paris time. Spain seeks its second World Cup title after winning in 2010, while Argentina aims to retain the trophy and secure a second title for Lionel Messi within four years.
France loses to England in World Cup third-place match
France finished fourth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to England 4-6 on July 18, 2026, in Miami, USA. This was the final match under coach Didier Deschamps, who ended his fourteen-year tenure with the French national team.
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2 alternative perspectives
Spain enters World Cup final with perfect defensive form and unbeaten streak
Spain brings 37-game unbeaten streak and elite defensive record into World Cup final against Argentina.
Finalissima between Spain and Argentina canceled amid Middle East tensions
Spain-Argentina Finalissima canceled in Doha amid Middle East geopolitical tensions.
World Cup host city battles wildfire smoke air quality crisis
Canadian wildfire smoke triggers air quality emergencies across northeastern U.S. cities hosting World Cup events.
France and England contest third-place playoff in Miami
France and England play third-place playoff in Miami after semifinal exits.
Spain, Argentina set for historic first World Cup final meeting
Spain and Argentina meet in first World Cup final, both bringing historic winning streaks to championship match.
Deschamps ends 14-year France tenure after World Cup semifinal exit
Deschamps exits after 14 years as France coach following World Cup semifinal elimination.
France and England confirmed for World Cup third-place playoff
France and England confirmed to play third-place playoff in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Spain and Argentina advance to World Cup final after dominant semifinals
Spain and Argentina won their semifinals to set up a World Cup final matchup.
Spain and Argentina confirmed for World Cup final showdown
Spain and Argentina confirmed for July 19 World Cup final in New Jersey.
France and England battle for third place in Miami
France and England compete for third place in Miami with Deschamps set to depart as France manager.
FIFA documents 89,000 abusive comments as Swiss, Dutch players targeted
FIFA recorded 89,000 abusive comments during group stage; Swiss and Dutch players targeted with racist abuse.