East Rutherford, New Jersey (Running Africa) — Spain are the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a thrilling final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, capping one of the most dominant eras in the nation’s football history.

A solitary goal proved decisive in a closely contested final between two of international football’s traditional powerhouses, as Spain extended their unbeaten streak to 38 matches—the longest ever recorded by a European or South American national team.

Spain Complete Historic Trophy Treble

Under head coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain has established itself as the dominant force in world football, winning the UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2024, and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup within a remarkable three-year period.

The victory secures Spain’s place among the game’s modern greats, highlighting the country’s sustained success through a blend of experienced leaders and emerging talent.

Africa Enjoys Historic FIFA World Cup Campaign

While Spain lifted the trophy, the 2026 FIFA World Cup also marked a watershed moment for African football, with the continent delivering its strongest-ever performance on the global stage.

For the first time, 10 African nations qualified for the tournament, reflecting FIFA’s expanded competition format and the growing strength of football across the continent.

Morocco led Africa’s charge by reaching the quarter-finals, where their impressive run ended against eventual runners-up France.

Milestone Achievements Across the Continent

Several African nations achieved historic milestones during the tournament:

• South Africa advanced to the Round of 32 for the first time in the country’s history.
• Cape Verde, making their FIFA World Cup debut, earned impressive draws against Spain and Uruguay before being eliminated by Argentina in the knockout stage.
• Egypt reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, marking another significant achievement for African football.

The performances highlighted the growing competitiveness of African teams on football’s biggest stage and reinforced the continent’s rising influence in the global game.

Although the trophy ultimately returned to Europe, the 2026 tournament will be remembered as a defining World Cup for Africa—one that showcased the continent’s expanding talent, growing depth, and increasing ability to compete with the world’s elite football nations.