The Spanish national team won the world championship title for the second time in its history, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time of the 2026 World Cup final.
The only goal in the match was scored by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute of extra time. Thanks to this victory, Spain became the only national team to have won the World Cup twice in the 21st century. Previously, the 'Red Fury' had already won the main world trophy in 2010.
The list of champions who have won the title in the 21st century includes Brazil (2002), Italy (2006), Germany (2014), France (2018), Argentina (2022), as well as Spain (2010 and 2026).
As a result of this match, the reigning world champion, Argentina, lost its status and finished the tournament with silver medals.
A viral video featuring Marc Cucurella has sparked widespread public discussion regarding the World Cup trophy. Spain was declared the winner this year after a tense match against Argentina, where Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal, securing the country's second tournament victory in history.
Numerous materials have appeared online, one of which shows defender Marc Cucurella supposedly leaving MetLife Stadium with the World Cup trophy wrapped in a garbage bag. In the video, Cucurella is wearing the red Spanish jersey he wore during the celebration, as well as blue shorts that he wore throughout the match. He was also wearing slides, a headband, and a bag holding the World Cup trophy in a transparent garbage bag.
Some viewers reacted critically to this moment; one wrote: 'The most valuable trophy in the world is carried like groceries from the store.' Another commentator added: 'If this is the new award policy in a 'lightweight' format, I'll bring my own shopping bag to the next final.'
There are several possible explanations for this video. According to available information, to mark the victory, all Spanish players were presented with small World Cup trophies by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the locker rooms.
Other users suggest that it might refer to the LEGO version of the FIFA World Cup trophy, which is available on the website for $199.
As for the fate of the original trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy itself has been used since 1974, when it was first awarded to West Germany. According to The Athletic, the trophy is made of 18-karat gold and costs about $9,390 to produce, with its current value estimated at $110,000.
Although most expect Spain to take the original trophy home, since 2006, winning teams have displayed a golden replica in the streets during state and government-organized parades when players are welcomed home.
The original trophy is kept at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and only a few people have had contact with it, including winning players and government leaders.
The Spanish national team returned today. During the day, they will participate in a parade in Madrid, after which they will board an open-top bus where Spanish residents and fans can celebrate and welcome them. The team will be greeted by President Pedro Sánchez and other government officials.
Organizers have announced that the national chess team of Uzbekistan will compete against the United States team on July 27–28 at the WR Chess tournament, which will be held at the Faena Miami Beach hotel in Miami. This tournament will feature rapid and blitz chess competitions and will mark the debut of the WR Chess format for the national US team.
The Uzbekistan team will consist of Javohir Sindarov, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Nodirbek Yakubboev, and Shamsiddin Vohidov, with Mukhiddin Madaminov serving as a reserve player. The United States will be represented by Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, and Levon Aronian, while Leiner Dominguez will play in reserve.
Organizers particularly highlighted the resumption of matches between Nakamura and 20-year-old Sindarov as the main attraction of the tournament. Earlier this year, the Uzbek grandmaster defeated the American player at the Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, which allowed him to become an official contender for the World Chess Championship.
According to the organizers, the team compositions reflect a clash of different generations. The US team, one of the most decorated in chess history with six Olympic gold medals, has an average player age of 37.6 years. In contrast, Uzbekistan, the 2022 Chess Olympiad champion, has an average age of 21, which organizers described as the most exciting rising force in world chess.
WR Chess founder Vadim Rosenstein stated that the organization's goal is to make chess more accessible and engaging for a new audience, adding that Miami and Faena reflect the direction of the game's development. The tournament is part of WR Chess's ongoing international expansion. Furthermore, on June 26, Rosenstein announced his candidacy for the presidency of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), elections for which are scheduled for the end of September.
The goal scored by Uzbekistan forward Eldor Shomurodov against the Democratic Republic of Congo has been nominated in the category for the best goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by FIFA.
The international football governing body included this goal in a list of twelve best moments from the tournament. The winner will be determined through a public vote that will last for 48 hours.
Previously, Shomurodov's goal was already recognized as the best goal of the group stage of the World Cup, and now it is participating in the general FIFA competition for the best goal of the entire tournament.
