World Cup final recap: Trump basks in the glory of Spanish victory

And for the final time during this 2026 World Cup, thank you for joining us on nine.com.au’s live blog for the final, where Spain were crowned the victors.

We hope you enjoyed the entirety of the World Cup, with all the coverage and anecdotes from every one of our journalists.

Goodbye!

Speaking to Fox, Rodri opened up about the new generation of Spanish footballers and the maturity of the team.

“The gap of improvement from the Euros, it was the way this team has matured. It’s built in the games, it’s built in every single day,” said Rodri.

“We faced very different opponents, of course lots of European opponents but different moments, different types of games. And we managed to play all of them. So I think we grew in this sense. And this generation is making history for our country as you can see, but also in the way we did it.

“All of them here (our families), they’ve been watching us since we were 15. They were following us when Luis de la Fuente was the under-19 Spain coach, so many adventures in all this time.

“Now we’re champions of the world, so this is for them.”

In other news, Kylian Mbappé has been handed the Golden Boot for being the top scorer in the 2026 tournament, with 10 goals to his name.

The Silver Boot went to Lionel Messi (eight goals) after a goalless final for him and Bronze to Jude Bellingham (seven goals).

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has spoken on star player Lionel Messi, saying he is the “best football player ever” amid the team’s loss.

“Well, he’s 39 years old now. Unbelievable. There’s nothing new to discover from my side,” Scaloni said.

“It was crystal clear for me that he’s going to play up until he decided to do so, and that all the team players, team-mates, and all of his people were going to support him.

“And I’m sure I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he’s achieved, because he’s the best football player ever.”

The 2030 World Cup will span Spain, Portugal and Morocco as the primary hosts.

This is the first time a World Cup has been held across two continents, Europe and Africa, in the same edition.

On top of this, to mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in 1930, three centenary celebration matches will open the tournament in South America.

One game each will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

Have a look back at every World Cup winner by years.

• 2026: Spain
• 2022: Argentina
• 2018: France
• 2014: Germany
• 2010: Spain
• 2006: Italy
• 2002: Brazil
• 1998: France
• 1994: Brazil
• 1990: West Germany
• 1986: Argentina
• 1982: Italy
• 1978: Argentina
• 1974: West Germany
• 1970: Brazil
• 1966: England
• 1962: Brazil
• 1958: Brazil
• 1954: West Germany
• 1950: Uruguay
• 1938: Italy
• 1934: Italy
• 1930: Uruguay

Well, this is awkward.

US President Donald Trump found himself on the fringes of Spain’s celebrations with the trophy, with Infantino actively trying to usher him off-stage.

Lionel Messi is red-faced and in tears as he leads his Argentinian team to collect their runner-up medals.

Rodri is presented with the Golden Ball, with Lionel Messi given the Silver Ball, with Kylian Mbappe claiming the Bronze Ball.

Pau Cubarsi also wins Young Player of the Tournament and gets a guard of honour from his Spain team-mates as he collects the award.

Finally, Unai Simon is handed the Golden Glove.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has walked on the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium for the trophy presentation flanked by US President Donald Trump.

Both figures walk in to boos from the crowd.