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Spain’s historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was capped by a remarkable haul of individual success after La Roja defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to give Spain their second FIFA World Cup title, ending a 16-year wait since their first triumph in South Africa in 2010.
As well as lifting the trophy, Luis de la Fuente’s team etched their name into football history by becoming the first team to win the men’s World Cup after conceding just one goal during the tournament.
Spain’s dominance was reflected in the post-tournament awards, with the newly crowned champions winning four of the top five individual honors awarded by FIFA.
Rodri was crowned best player of the tournament
Spain midfielder Rodri has been named the Ballon d’Or winner after an outstanding season which saw him control matches from the heart of midfield.
The Manchester City star has played a vital role in Spain’s unbeaten run, dictating the pace with his composure, vision and precision passing.
His leadership throughout the tournament helped La Roja dominate possession and overwhelm their opponents on their way to the title, making him the unanimous choice as the best player of the tournament.
Mbappe makes history with the Golden Boot
France captain Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot after being the competition’s top scorer with 10 goals in eight games.
The Real Madrid striker became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot in consecutive tournaments after also being top scorer at the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Mbappe further extended his record as the highest-scoring player in FIFA Men’s World Cup history, taking his career tally to 22 goals.
Although France settled for fourth place after losing 6-4 to England in the third-place playoff, Mbappe showed once again why he remains one of the most lethal strikers in world football.
Simon and Cubarsi complete the domination of Spain
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon received the Golden Glove following an exceptional tournament between the posts.
The Athletic Club goalkeeper conceded just one goal in eight matches and set a new World Cup record by keeping opponents goalless for 650 consecutive minutes.
Young defender Pau Cubarsi also had a memorable tournament after winning the best young player award.
The Barcelona youngster showed mature performances throughout the competition and played a crucial role in Spain’s record-breaking defensive season.
His calmness on the ball and defensive awareness have made him one of the emerging stars of the tournament.
The Netherlands wins the Fair Play Award
The Netherlands received the FIFA Fair Play Award in recognition of discipline, respect for opponents and sporting conduct during the tournament.
The award highlighted FIFA’s continued emphasis on fair competition and sportsmanship on football’s biggest stage.
Argentina finishes second
Lionel Messi’s Argentina failed to successfully defend their World Cup title after suffering defeat to Spain in the final.
England secured third place with an entertaining 6-4 win over France in the bronze medal match, leaving Didier Deschamps’ team in fourth place.
Despite losing the title, several teams delivered memorable performances during one of the most competitive editions of the FIFA World Cup.
Full list of 2026 FIFA World Cup award winners
– Champions: Spain
– Second place: Argentina
– Third place: England
– Fourth place: France
– Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)
– Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappe (France)
– Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simon (Spain)
– Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
– FIFA Fair Play Award: Netherlands
Spain’s dominance throughout the tournament was reflected in the final awards, with four of the top five individual honors going to members of the world champions. Their combination of defensive solidity, midfield control and attacking efficiency has ensured that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered as one of the best campaigns by any national team in the history of the competition.
