The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally over. Spain upset Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup Final in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, July 19.
Jennifer Hudson performed the National Anthem before the start of the tourney, and Tom Cruise delivered a speech about unity.
Jennifer Hudson dazzles with the National Anthem at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final ?? pic.twitter.com/O4CXTnIRYt
— rnbmusic (@rnbmusic) July 19, 2026
For the first time ever, FIFA extended the World Cup Final halftime to 30 minutes so A-list artists such as Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and Coldplay’s Chris Martin could perform at MetLife Stadium.
???? Watch Shakira performing “Dai Dai” (feat. Burna Boy) during the FIFA World Cup halftime show in New Jersey! pic.twitter.com/Xb96b2twHk
— ShakiraMedia (@ShakiraMedia) July 19, 2026
Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi finished second to France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Mbappé finished the World Cup with 10 goals, two more goals than Messi, who led Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022.
Messi was in tears after losing both the World Cup trophy and the Golden Boot trophy on the same day.
Ironically, Messi lost the final to Lamine Yamal, the baby he was seen bathing in a photo shoot for UNICEF 18 years ago.
Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real.
More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot.
Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices… pic.twitter.com/TSoUPDxia2
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) July 16, 2026