The World Cup is over, long live the World Cup: A look back at one of the best tournaments ever
The 2026 World Cup concluded with Spain winning the title after a tournament marked by record-breaking performances and high fan engagement. Despite initial concerns regarding logistics and safety, the event is considered a success driven by the quality of play and global participation.
Why it matters
The tournament serves as a major cultural and economic milestone, demonstrating the continued global appeal of international football.
Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. While we’re saying goodbye for now, we will be back for the European domestic club season. See you then! And just like that, the 2026 World Cup is over. After 308 goals were scored during 104 matches in 16 host cities across three countries, it was Spain that lifted the trophy. And while the final wasn’t exactly one for the neutral, it was fitting that the best team in the tournament won in the end. But while La Roja supporters around the world celebrated the country’s second title (Spanish editor’s note: my headache and I can confirm this occurred in North London), everyone else was left reflecting on an emotional, record-breaking, superstar-studded edition of the tournament. For years, there were so many concerns around this World Cup.
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