Kathmandu, July 20: Spain have been crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 champions, ending a 16-year wait for football’s biggest prize with a 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champions Argentina in the final.

The championship match, played at New Jersey Stadium in New York, remained goalless after 90 minutes before Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute to seal Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title.

Spain last won the tournament in 2010, and their latest triumph marks a return to the top of world football after more than a decade.

Argentina’s hopes of retaining the title suffered a major setback when midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off after receiving a second yellow card during regulation time, leaving the defending champions to play with 10 men.

Spain reached the final with a 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals, while Argentina booked their place by defeating England 2-1.