Spain earned $51 million after beating Argentina in the 2026 final, but the record payout is only one part of a commercial machine that now towers over most global sports bodies

Spain's Lamine Yamal celebrates with the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday. Photo: AP | PTI

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The first-ever 48-team World Cup has rewritten the commercial playbook. Expanded from 64 to 104 matches, the tournament has created more broadcast hours and sponsorship inventory

FIFA World Cup 2026: The economics behind football's biggest event

Brazil still holds the record as the most successful team in tournament history with five titles to their name despite going trophyless for the last 24 years

FIFA World Cup full list of winners

Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute after Enzo Fernandez's dismissal as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time, ending Lionel Messi's pursuit of consecutive World Cup titles

Spain's Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy alongside teammates as they celebrate winning the World Cup

Ferran Torres strike in extra time hands Spain their 2nd World Cup title in New jersey.

Spain vs Argentina

Goals from Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in extra time made sure the defending champions keep their title defense alive.

Alvarez scored the winner for ARG

A brilliant brace by Jude Bellingham helped England come back from behind to book a semi-final berth in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

England's Jude Bellingham hugs Norway's Erling Haaland. Photo: Reuters

Adams, who featured in all three of South Africa's group-stage games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was found dead at a residence in Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town

Jayden Adams

Lamine Yamal thinks France should be afraid of Spain with the European giants headed to a World Cup semifinal showdown on Tuesday.
"I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us, in my opinion," the teenage sensation told broadcast reporters after Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday to secure its first semifinal berth since 2010. "We were the ones who knocked them out before."
Spain beat France in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and again in Nations League play last year. Yamal became the youngest player to score in the continental competition.
The powerhouses meet again at the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys next week for a spot in the final.
"We don't fear anyone," said Yamal, who was named the man of the match against Belgium. "It's clear that we are two great teams, world-class national teams, and for me they are one of the best. We'll see what happens."
Spain advanced on a winning goal by substitute Mikel Merino in the 88th minute of the quarterfinals at S

Lamine Yamal (right)

Spain beat France in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and again in Nations League play last year. Yamal became the youngest player to score in the continental competition

Press Trust of India

Even the field for the World Cup final is for sale.
FIFA, accused of charging high prices for this year's tournament in the United States, is selling the grass that will be used for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at USD 450 per piece.
FIFA's store says each segment of turf is 17.5 by 17.5 by 17.5, although it doesn't specify whether that figure is inches, centimetres or millimetres. Soccer's governing body did not immediately respond to an email requesting details of the dimensions.
"Own a genuine piece of football history with an authentic 2026 FIFA World Cup Piece of the pitch, permanently preserved in a premium acrylic with a USB keepsake," the website says. "Each piece contains an original fragment of the iconic Final playing surface, making it a unique collectible that celebrates one of the world's greatest sporting events."
FIFA said "the acrylic USB features an authenticity film, while offering a sleek, contemporary display piece. Presented in a premium .

FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA's store says each segment of turf is 17.5 by 17.5 by 17.5, although it doesn't specify whether that figure is inches, centimetres or millimetres

This FIFA World Cup will be remembered not only for the brilliance of attacking superstars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, but also for the extraordinary, match-defining performances of goalkeepers, according to former India captain and legendary custodian Subrata Paul.
Paul, whose professional career spanned nearly two decades and included 84 senior international appearances for India, believes the teams that have reached the business end of the ongoing FIFA World Cup owe much of their success to their goalkeepers.
The former India captain, who played a pivotal role in the country's Nehru Cup triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2012, said exceptional goalkeeping has been as decisive as the exploits of the tournament's attacking stars.
"This World Cup simply belongs to the goalkeepers. I feel goalkeepers are playing a major role in winning matches, securing clean sheets, and keeping the scores level. This World Cup overall is one of the most exciting in ..

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon

The former India captain, who played a pivotal role in the country's Nehru Cup triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2012, said exceptional goalkeeping has been decisive in the tournament

FIFA does not appoint referees to matches involving their own countries to preserve neutrality. But in the case of English and Argentine officials, the restrictions go a step further.

Michael Oliver

In a contest that showcased Spain's patience, tactical discipline and ability to seize decisive moments, Luis de la Fuente's side overcame a resilient Belgian challenge to set up a SF clash vs FRA.

Belgium knocked out by Spain

FIFA had nearly 1,200 category two tickets priced at $7,380 on sale Friday for the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The governing body's last-minute tickets sales site, which at times had listed the game as sold out, had 1,178 seats available across five sections of the top deck along the sidelines: 282 in section 344, 299 in section 343, 139 in section 335, 443 in section 334 and 15 in section 333.
FIFA also was selling 68 front category one tickets in the lower deck at prices ranging from $19,995 to $32,970 and had remaining hospitality tickets in its Trophy Lounge and Trophy Lounge+ sections priced at $34,500 and $32,500, including food and drinks.
Soccer's governing body did not immediately respond to a request for details on why the additional tickets had become available.
In addition, FIFA had tickets available at $1,600 to $3,995 for Saturday's quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, ...

FIFA had nearly 1,200 category two tickets priced at $7,380 on sale Friday for the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

With the win, France reached the World Cup semifinals for a third consecutive edition and will now face Spain/Belgium for a place in the final.

Kylian Mbappe

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