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The 2026 World Cup has come to a close.
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Spain is the winner after a thrilling 1-0 win in the final, holding off Lionel Messi and Argentina from winning a second consecutive title.
The tournament began on June 11 with the opening match in Mexico, before play extended to the United States and Canada. It was an exciting tournament overall, as well as the first to feature 48 teams.
New heroes — such as Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha — were created, while several of the sport’s legends — such as Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé — continued putting their stamp on the world’s biggest stage.
Here’s a look back at the tournament through some of the NBC News photo team’s favorite images, featuring unique atmospheres, raucous fans, the most memorable moments and more.
On-field celebrations during the quarterfinal match between France and Morocco at Gillette Stadium.Ira L. Black / FIFA via Getty Images
Clockwise from top left: A watch party in London; Japan supporters in Houston; U.S. fans at Los Angeles Stadium; a Haiti supporter in Port-au-Prince.Getty Images
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi looks on against Switzerland in Kansas City.Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Argentina fan Victor Caldas watches the semifinal match between England and Argentina with fellow Rikers Island inmates at the jail complex in New York.Seth Wenig / AP
From left: Vozinha of Cabo Verde during a match against Argentina in Miami Gardens, Fla.; A Cape Verde fan with a replica trophy in Houston.Getty Images
Fans watch as the United States lose to Belgium at a FIFA Fan Zone on the National Mall in Washington.Rod Lamkey / AP
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates a goal against Croatia in Toronto.Patrick Smith / FIFA via Getty Images
Norway fans row in the stands during the first half of a match against Ivory Coast in Arlington, Texas.Juan Figueroa / The Dallas Morning News via Getty Images
From left: Palestinian football fans in the Gaza Strip watch the match between Australia and Egypt in Khan Younis; A young fan follows the match between Belgium and Senegal on a laptop as people shelter at a metro station during Russian air attacks in Kyiv.Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez of Argentina fouls Pau Cubarsi of Spain, resulting in a red card during the World Cup final match at New York New Jersey Stadium.Getty Images
A Lionel Messi fan watching the final match between Spain and Argentina on a giant screen in Buenos Aires.Tomas Cuesta / AFP via Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates a goal against Sweden in East Rutherford, N.J. Maddie Meyer / FIFA via Getty Images
Erling Haaland of Norway warms up with teammates in Miami.Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images
From left: Mexico fans kiss at the Angel of Independence in Mexico City ahead of the match against South Korea; Netherlands' defender Jan Paul Van Hecke, left, and Morocco's midfielder Ismael Saibari clash during their match in Guadalupe.Getty Images
Teammates toss Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico into the air following their victory against Czech Republic in Mexico City.Molly Darlington / Getty Images
Malik Tillman of the U.S. scores their second goal against Bosnia from a free kick.Martin Meissner / AP
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham of England after their loss to Argentina at Atlanta Stadium.Julian Finney / FIFA via Getty Images
Scotland supporters at a match against Haiti in Boston.Erin Clark / Boston Globe via Getty Images file
Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after his team's 1-0 loss to Spain in the final match of the 2026 World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium.Hector Vivas / FIFA via Getty Images
From left: Mexico supporters during a match against Ecuador in Guadalajara, Mexico; A fan at Boston Stadium pays homage to Kylian Mbappe of France.Getty Images
Democratic Republic of Congo fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga (aka Lumumba Vea) during the team's Group K match against Colombia in Zapopan, Mexico.Manuel Velasquez / FIFA via Getty Images
Lamine Yamal of Spain prays before his team's match against Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium.Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images
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