NEW YORK : Spain etched their name into football history once again, clinching their second FIFA World Cup crown by edging out defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a tense extra-time final at New York’s MetLife Stadium. The victory, coming 16 years after their 2010 triumph, was sealed by Ferran Torres’ early second-half extra-time goal — and came with a record-breaking $50 million winner’s cheque.
The final was a cagey affair, with both sides cancelling each other out in regulation time. After 90 minutes of goalless football, the deadlock remained through the first half of extra time. But just moments into the decisive second half, Spanish forward Ferran Torres pounced on a crucial opportunity and made no mistake, slotting home the only goal of the match to spark wild celebrations among the Spanish contingent.
For Argentina, it was a heartbreaking end to their reign as world champions, having lifted the trophy in 2022. But they did not leave empty-handed — the runners-up pocketed a hefty $33 million for their campaign.
The 2026 edition also proved a financial windfall for the other top finishers. Third-placed England received $29 million, while fourth-placed France took home $27 million.
FIFA announced a total prize purse of $655 million distributed across the tournament — a staggering increase from the $440 million awarded in the 2022 World Cup. The $50 million awarded to Spain marks a significant jump from the $42 million given to the previous winner, reflecting football’s governing body’s push to reward participating nations more generously.
As Spain’s players celebrated under the New York lights, the victory not only cemented their legacy as two-time world champions but also ensured they walked away with the richest payday in the tournament’s history.
