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VIDEO EXPLAINER | 3 NOVEMBER 2026
Spain won the FIFA World Cup 2026 final by 1-0 against defending champions Argentina, with a goal in the 106th minute of extra time. The final was played at the New York New Jersey Stadium (commercial name MetLife Stadium) on 19 July local time, which was the morning of 20 July in India. This was the first World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches, hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the USA. Below are the match facts, the awards, and the format and hosting changes that CLAT GK questions favour.
The final
The score was level after 90 minutes, and Ferran Torres scored the only goal in extra time. Argentina had no shot in the first 90 minutes, and this was the first time that happened in a World Cup final. Argentina’s first attempt came from Lionel Messi in the 117th minute. Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a record 11 saves in the final.
What the win means for Spain
This is Spain’s second men’s World Cup title. Spain is now the first country to hold both the men’s and the Women’s World Cup trophies at the same time. Reports say Spain conceded only one goal in the whole tournament, the fewest for any World Cup winner. Pau Cubarsi won the Young Player Award.
Records and other results
Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals. He now has 22 World Cup goals in total, an all-time record. England beat France in the bronze medal match, which is England’s best World Cup finish since 1966.
The new 48-team format
With 48 teams, the Round of 32 is the first knockout round. FIFA Council decided on 10 January 2017, in Zurich, to increase the number of teams. On 14 March 2023 FIFA changed the group stage: there are now 12 groups of 4 teams each.
Next World Cups
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted jointly by Morocco, Portugal and Spain. To mark the centenary, 3 matches will also be played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Constitutional / Legal / Institutional framework
This is a sports GK topic with no constitutional provisions. The institutional facts are: FIFA (the world football body) and its FIFA Council, which took the 10 January 2017 decision in Zurich to expand the World Cup, and the three co-hosts of 2026: Canada, Mexico and the USA.
CLAT angle
- GK: winner, runner-up and the 1-0 scoreline of the 2026 final.
- GK: host nations (Canada, Mexico, USA) and the first 48-team, 104-match edition.
- GK: awards and records: Golden Boot (Mbappe, 10 goals), all-time record of 22 World Cup goals.
- GK: format questions: Round of 32, 12 groups of 4 teams, FIFA Council decision of 10 January 2017.
- GK: future hosts: 2030 (Morocco, Portugal, Spain with 3 centenary matches in South America) and 2034 (Saudi Arabia).
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Spain, 1-0 in extra time (106th minute) |
| Runner-up | Argentina (defending champions) |
| Goal scorer | Ferran Torres |
| Venue | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) |
| Hosts 2026 | Canada, Mexico, USA |
| Size | 48 teams, 104 matches |
| Golden Boot | Kylian Mbappe, 10 goals |
| Mbappe World Cup total | 22 goals, all-time record |
| 2030 hosts | Morocco, Portugal, Spain |
| 2034 host | Saudi Arabia |
Mnemonic / memory hook
“48 teams, 12 groups of 4, then Round of 32.” Spain’s winner came at minute 106, Messi’s first shot at minute 117.
Sources
Facts are taken from the video’s verified script on the FIFA World Cup 2026 final and FIFA’s announcements on the tournament format and future hosts; the single-goal-conceded statistic is as reported.
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These notes (as a PDF lesson) and the 10-question CBT are in the app under Current Affairs → 4 Nov 2026. Get the app on Google Play or open app.clatgurukul.com.
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