New York New Jersey Stadium hosts World Cup final ...

By Jessica Bennett — 21 July 2026 — 3 min read

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final, held at MetLife Stadium, rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament, saw Spain emerge victorious over Argentina in extra time. The match, attended by over 80,000 spectators, concluded a period where soccer had captured significant attention in America.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was intense, with temperatures reaching 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Fans sought relief from the heat using flags as sun covers and handheld fans, while players utilized sprinklers on the pitch during breaks. Despite the heat, the communal experience of the event was noted by attendees.

Stadium Experience and Fan Presence

Security measures were extensive for the full-capacity event, with tickets checked multiple times and security personnel stationed throughout the venue. Despite the large crowd, the process of entering and exiting the stadium was described as smooth, with minimal waiting times.

The crowd was predominantly composed of Argentina fans, creating a sea of blue in the stands, though patches of red indicated the presence of Spain supporters. Both fan bases were vocal, with chants from Spain fans ringing out as loudly as those from Argentina. Argentina fans continued to sing their team’s fight songs even after the match concluded.

During the game, Argentina‘s Enzo Fernández received two yellow cards, leading to a red card and automatic ejection. This marked the first time a player had been red-carded in a final since 2010, and only the sixth such instance in a final match. Fernández‘s second yellow card followed a collision with Spain‘s Pau Cubarsí, an impact that was audibly distinct within the stadium.

Halftime Show and Post-Match Events

The final featured the first-ever FIFA halftime show, with performances by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS. Jason Sudeikis made an onscreen appearance as Ted Lasso, and Miss Piggy joined Kermit the Frog and children for a performance. The show involved significant logistical coordination, with performers like BTS members observed checking the field setup before their segment.

Madonna‘s performance primarily occurred off the pitch, while Shakira‘s act, which included Burna Boy and the song “Dai Dai,” was a crowd favorite. Justin Bieber‘s acoustic performance, however, received a quieter reception from the audience. After the performances, the artists made their way off the pitch, with some props stored beneath the stadium.

Celebrities were present, with some in VIP boxes and others, like Camila Morrone and Drake, in the stands. Knicks star Jalen Brunson received loud cheers when shown on the big screen, as did Beyoncé. President Donald Trump was met with boos when he walked onto the pitch for the post-match award ceremony, where he presented the World Cup trophy to Spain captain Rodri and the team.

Spain‘s victory was secured by Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. Torres‘s goal came after Nico Williams Jr.‘s header was dropped in the box, providing an opportunity that Torres capitalized on. Argentina‘s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, had made several saves to keep the score level prior to the decisive goal.

Following their win, Ferran Torres was seen wearing a “Make Spain Great Again” hat during a victory parade in Spain, an adaptation of President Trump‘s slogan. Torres commented on the collective effort, stating that the goal came from 47 million people. This marked Spain‘s second appearance in a World Cup final, and their second victory, matching their 2010 achievement. The final whistle was followed by brawls between Argentina and Spain players, which FIFA will investigate. Celebrations in Madrid, the capital of Spain, began late into the night and continued.

The match was described as a contest between Spain‘s technical play and Argentina‘s more defiant approach. Spain, the European champions, made sixteen shots during regulation time, while Argentina had none. Argentina‘s coach, Lionel Scaloni, had previously noted his team’s ability to play best when facing adversity. Rodri, Spain‘s central midfielder and captain, was a key figure in the team’s performance. The World Cup final was the 104th match of the longest World Cup in history.