The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluded on July 19, 2026, with Argentina defeating Brazil 3-1 in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The tournament, expanded to 48 teams for the first time, featured 104 matches across 16 venues.
Key controversies included VAR decisions in the quarterfinal between Portugal and Senegal, where a late penalty was awarded after a contentious handball review. Additionally, the use of semi-automated offside technology drew criticism for delays in several group-stage matches.
Several prominent players bid farewell to international football after the tournament, including Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Brazil's Neymar, 34, who announced their retirements from national duty following their teams' exits. Ronaldo's Portugal lost to Senegal in the round of 16, while Brazil fell to Argentina in the semifinals.
The tournament also saw record attendance, with over 4.5 million tickets sold, and a global television audience estimated at 5 billion. Environmental groups raised concerns about the carbon footprint of the cross-continental event, while FIFA highlighted sustainability initiatives such as renewable energy use at stadiums.
