Updated July 17, 2026
World Cup 2026 winner: Spain vs Argentina result, trophy and prize money
The World Cup 2026 winner has not been decided yet. Spain and Argentina meet on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, with the final result, trophy ceremony, awards and prize-money picture all coming after full time.
Photo: Danilo Borges / copa2014.gov.br via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 BR; cropped for display.
Fast answer
Who won the World Cup 2026?
Current status
Winner not decided yet
Spain and Argentina decide the World Cup 2026 winner in the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium.
Final
Spain vs Argentina
Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM BST and 9:00 PM CEST in Spain.
After full time
Result, trophy and awards
Once the final ends, the main things to confirm are the winner, score, goalscorers, Golden Boot, Golden Ball and trophy ceremony details.
The winner is not official until the final ends. If the game is level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties can push the result, trophy presentation and final award confirmations later into the day.
Result tracker
What the World Cup 2026 final result will decide
| Item | Status | What changes after the final |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Not decided yet | Spain vs Argentina decides it on July 19. |
| Final score | Pending | Update after full time, extra time or penalties if needed. |
| Goalscorers | Pending | List regulation and extra-time goals; keep shootout penalties separate. |
| Golden Boot | Pending | Messi and Mbappe remain the central names entering final weekend. |
| Trophy ceremony | After the final whistle | The presentation follows the match and post-game setup on the field. |
| Prize money | $50 million to the champion | FIFA's published prize table also lists $33 million for the runner-up. |
If Spain win
What a Spain title would mean
Spain would add a second men's World Cup
Spain's first title came in 2010. A 2026 win would move this team from an exciting new cycle into a historic Spanish side.
Yamal becomes part of the title story
Lamine Yamal does not need to score to shape the final. His width, pressure and decision-making can force Argentina to defend the whole right side differently.
Control would beat tournament management
A Spain win would say that rhythm, possession and defensive structure survived Argentina's late-game experience and Messi-led moments.
If Argentina win
What an Argentina title would mean
Argentina would defend the World Cup
A 2026 title would follow the 2022 win and put Argentina into a rare back-to-back conversation in men's World Cup history.
Messi's final chapter grows again
Messi already owns a World Cup. Another title would make the final less about one match and more about the longest legacy arc in modern football.
Experience would beat Spain's control
An Argentina win would underline game management: slowing the tempo, surviving pressure and turning a small opening into the decisive moment.
Trophy ceremony
What happens when the World Cup winner is confirmed
The winning captain lifts the trophy on the field
The presentation comes after the final whistle and post-match setup. If the game goes to extra time or penalties, the ceremony moves later with the match.
Trump and Infantino are part of the ceremony story
Current reporting says Donald Trump will attend the final, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino also central to the trophy presentation.
The original trophy does not stay with the winner
The current FIFA World Cup trophy remains FIFA property. Winners receive a replica rather than keeping the original trophy permanently.
Prize money
World Cup 2026 prize money for the final places
| Finish | Prize money | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | $50 million | Paid to the winning member association. |
| Runner-up | $33 million | Paid to the losing finalist's association. |
| Third place | $29 million | Settled by France vs England one day before the final. |
| Fourth place | $27 million | The other third-place match team receives this amount. |
| Preparation payment | $1.5 million | FIFA listed this for each qualified team in addition to prize money. |
Awards
What to check after Spain vs Argentina
- Golden Boot: top scorer, with assists and minutes used as tiebreakers if needed.
- Golden Ball: tournament best-player award, separate from the top-scorer race.
- Golden Glove: goalkeeper award, often shaped by the final and clean-sheet context.
- Best Young Player: a natural place to watch Lamine Yamal if Spain finish strongly.
- Final ranking: champion, runner-up, third place and fourth place are settled across July 18-19.
Next step
Follow the related final-weekend stories
Spain vs Argentina final
Kickoff time, venue, route to the final and the match context that decides the winner.
Spain vs Argentina lineups today
Official lineup status, projected XIs and the teamsheet checks before the final.
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race
Messi, Mbappe, Kane, assists, minutes and final-weekend scoring scenarios.
World Cup final closing ceremony
Pre-match entertainment, Post Malone, Tom Cruise and the 1:30 PM ET ceremony window.
France vs England third-place match
The match that decides third place and can still affect the Golden Boot race.
World Cup 2026 winner FAQ
Who won the World Cup 2026?
The World Cup 2026 winner has not been decided yet. Spain and Argentina play the final on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium.
When will the World Cup 2026 winner be known?
The winner will be known after Spain vs Argentina ends on July 19. If the final goes to extra time or penalties, the result and trophy ceremony will come later than the scheduled 3:00 PM ET kickoff window.
What happens if Spain win the World Cup 2026?
Spain would become world champions for the second time, adding a 2026 title to their 2010 win and turning the Yamal-led tournament story into a title run.
What happens if Argentina win the World Cup 2026?
Argentina would defend the title they won in 2022 and strengthen Messi's legacy with another World Cup triumph.
How much prize money does the World Cup 2026 winner get?
FIFA's published financial contribution table lists USD 50 million in prize money for the champion, plus a separate preparation payment for all qualified teams.
Does the winning team keep the World Cup trophy?
No. The current FIFA World Cup trophy remains FIFA property. The winning team receives a replica rather than keeping the original trophy permanently.
Who presents the World Cup trophy?
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is central to the presentation, and current reporting says Donald Trump will attend the final and be part of the trophy ceremony story.
Coverage trust
World Cup 2026 winner sources
The winner has not been decided yet. These sources cover the final schedule, FIFA prize money, trophy background and current reporting around the trophy ceremony.
Official sources
Official FIFA references
FIFA official World Cup 2026 match schedule
fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums
FIFA: World Cup 2026 prize money table
inside.fifa.com/organisation/fifa-council/media-releases/council-approves-record-breaking-world-cup-2026-financial-contribution
AP: how the World Cup trophy was created and awarded
apnews.com/article/d273ec1065e2aca911fb3df34d594f4f
The Guardian: Trump attending World Cup final
theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/16/donald-trump-attending-world-cup-final
Wikimedia Commons: World Cup trophy ceremony image
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Award_ceremony_of_the_World_Cup_in_Brazil_06.jpg