Spain Wins Record 48-Team World Cup, Beating Argentina 1-0 in Extra Time as Messi's Run Ends
Did expanding the World Cup to 48 teams weaken the tournament's overall quality? Yes 
No 
Other 
Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the match in the 105th minute, moments after Spain finally broke through a stubborn Argentine defense that had limited Argentina to zero shots on target through regulation. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón and a defense that conceded just one goal in the entire tournament kept Lionel Messi, playing what he has said will be his final World Cup, from registering a shot on target across the match.
The result denied Argentina the chance to become the first country since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles, and gives Spain its second championship, its first since 2010. President Trump attended the final and presented the trophy to Spain's players, including captain Rodri, alongside FIFA officials.
The expanded format added 24 more matches than the previous 32-team edition and marked the first time the World Cup included more than 32 nations. Sunday's final and closing ceremony, which featured performances by Shakira, Post Malone and others, capped a tournament billed as the world's most-watched sporting event, spanning matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada since June 11.
The case for:
Supporters say expanding from 32 to 48 teams let more nations, and their fans, experience the World Cup on the sport's biggest stage, spreading its economic and cultural impact further.
Backers point to genuine surprises the larger format created, including deep runs by teams that historically never make it past the group stage in a 32-team bracket.
The case against:
Critics argue the extra 24 matches diluted quality, pointing to lopsided group-stage results and Argentina's own toothless final, in which it managed zero shots on target across 120 minutes.
Opponents say a longer, 48-team tournament asks too much of players' bodies over a shorter offseason, adding injury risk without adding much drama to a knockout stage mostly decided in stoppage or extra time this year.
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Did expanding the World Cup to 48 teams weaken the tournament's overall quality? Yes No Other
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