A look at the most exciting moments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 World Cup has come to a close. 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.