The 2026 FIFA World Cup has drawn to a close, with Spain beating Argentina by 1-0 in extra time in a thrilling final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.As HuffPost has for weeks breathlessly covered, even before a ball was kicked, the 23rd edition of the tournament was engulfed in controversy: from Iran’s tough journey to the competition amid Donald Trump’s war, to the president’s close relationship with FIFA’s Peace Prize-awarding President Gianni Infantino. That’s not to mention Trump’s travel bans keeping some fans and officials out and the fury over soaring ticket prices. Once the soccer actually began, much of the concern was eased — at least for a short while. The sport’s biggest stars came out to play, and the Cape Verde’s Cinderella story captured the imagination. Off the field, Norway’s “Viking row” went viral and Boston was a sea of tartan as Scotland’s fans took over.But the introduction of hydration breaks, seen as a vehicle for TV advertising, prompted booing from fans and questions about the fundamentals of the game being undermined. And Trump’s intervention in an effort to get a red card reversed for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, which was fruitless, as the Americans were soundly defeated by Belgium, will likely leave a stain on this World Cup.Check out our coverage below:'These Are New Yorkers': Mamdani Attends World Cup Watch Party At City's Largest JailNEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s official World Cup guide lists no less than 100 free places to take in soccer’s biggest tournament on big screens. One place that isn’t listed? The city’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex, better known for its overcrowding and violence than for hosting social events.But more than 100 inmates were rewarded with a special viewing of the World Cup semifinal match Wednesday between England and Argentina because of their model behavior behind bars.The inmates, dressed in tan uniforms, took seats at tables facing a large projection screen set up in a gymnasium. The jail has hosted about 90 such watch parties since the tournament kicked off last month, with about 4,500 of the roughly 6,600 inmates incarcerated on the 400-acre island participating, correction officials said.“Programs like this equal safety in our jail,” said Stanley Richards, the city’s correction commissioner and a former Rikers inmate. “What we say to them is that your humanity is seen, heard and valued.”Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who briefly stopped by, added: “The World Cup has been a magical moment for the entire city. These are New Yorkers, and they will be New Yorkers when they get out of Rikers.”The scene Wednesday was in sharp contrast to complaints about Rikers Island that have been so bad in recent years that a federal judge appointed an outside manager to help improve the facility.On Tuesday, that federal overseer, former Vermont Department of Corrections head Nicholas Deml, submitted a plan for reforms that underscored the continued dysfunction at the facility, which opened in 1935.The report described one instance when inspectors arrived at a housing unit to find it filled with smoke from fires set by prisoners, blaring alarms and people pounding on their cell doors. In another incident, prisoners streamed through an unsecured door and brawled after a guard abandoned his post.“Violence remains pervasive, basic correctional practices remain unreliable, and unconstitutional conditions persist,” the report said.Mamdani has vowed to honor a 2019 city law mandating the closure of Rikers, but also conceded the 2027 deadline is likely unrealistic after years of delays.With his white shirt sleeves rolled up, the Democrat went table-by-table chatting up inmates.One told the mayor he expected Argentina to prevail over England and go on to face Spain, which had defeated France the day earlier.“You never know,” said Mamdani, a professed Morocco fan.At another table, an inmate told the mayor he was going home later in the day. “That’s amazing,” Mamdani said, patting his back.The jailhouse crowd erupted in a mix of groans and cheers as England struck first with a goal early in the second half.Ralph Veal was among the minority of England fans who raised his arms in celebration. The 53-year-old Mount Vernon resident, who has been incarcerated since November, said the watch party made him reflect on how he might better approach life after jail.“I could be doing this with my family, you know?” he said. “My son, he’s a big soccer fan, so this would be great for me and him to have that relationship and that bond.”Others simply relished the chance for a rare treat: a freshly catered meal of salad, salmon, penne alla vodka and chicken parmesan, along with Snapple drinks.“I’ve been locked up 21 months,” said Thomas McCoy, 52, of Brooklyn. “It’s been a long time since I had real food like that.”When the final whistle blew and Argentina earned a spot against Spain in the final Sunday, Victor Caldas was overcome with emotions.The 39-year-old, who has been incarcerated for four months, has been rooting for Argentina since his home country of Ecuador was knocked out of the tournament.“It reminds me of when I was a kid, playing soccer. It’s all about love. Soccer brings a lot of love,” he said, still staring at the final score as others started cleaning up the gym.“It don’t matter from where you are in the world, you know. It’s about bonding with another culture, other people.”Latest Live UpdatesAnalyst Says Surprise Farewell To Fox Sports Colleagues After World Cup FinalZlatan Ibrahimovic, the studio analyst whose deadpan barbs at Fox Sports colleagues spiced up broadcasts for many fans during the World Cup, has zinged his last zinger, apparently. Read more below.Spain Returns To Top Of FIFA Rankings, Morocco Hits Record HighJuly 20 (Reuters) - World Cup winners Spain climbed back to the top of the FIFA men’s rankings on Monday, while runners-up Argentina dropped to second place.Luis de la Fuente’s side beat 2022 world champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time on Sunday to return to the top of the rankings for the first time since January.France and England remain third and fourth in the rankings respectively, despite Thomas Tuchel’s side beating Les Bleus to clinch the bronze medal.Brazil rose to fifth, while Morocco climbed to a record-high sixth. Portugal fell two places to seventh after their round-of-16 exit at the World Cup. Belgium moved up to eighth, swapping places with the Netherlands, who dropped to ninth.Mexico climbed four places to break into the top 10, while Norway were the biggest movers, jumping 12 places to 19th after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.Germany fell out of the top 10 and dropped to 12th, one place ahead of Croatia. Italy, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, slipped to 15th.Tunisia suffered the biggest drop, falling 12 places to 57th, while Egypt climbed five spots to 24th and Paraguay rose seven places to 34th after reaching the World Cup round of 16.Cape Verde, who reached the round of 32, climbed three places to 64th, one spot ahead of Ghana, who moved up eight places.(Reporting by Mohamed Yossry in Cairo; Editing by Hugh Lawson)'You F**king Suck': Dana White Beats The Crap Out Of World Cup Production TeamUFC boss Dana White just bloodied the World Cup’s production team with severe criticism in an Instagram story. Read more below.Host Caught On Hot Mic Saying Exactly What Fans Are Thinking About Trump At World CupAs Donald Trump stuck around onstage while Spain lifted up the World Cup winner’s trophy, one Australian broadcaster was caught on a hot mic giving his two cents on the apparent stunt from the U.S. president.Read more on the moment below:Kash Patel Clowned Over This 'Dramatic' FBI Promo Video Following World CupFBI Director Kash Patel on Sunday dropped a celebratory promo video applauding himself and his bureau for getting “it done” at the World Cup just hours after Spain hoisted the actual winner’s trophy.Read more:Trump Makes Eye-Opening Declaration About When He Wants World Cup Back In U.S.President Donald Trump said he’ll “immediately” request that the United States host the World Cup again ― and that he wants the global soccer tournament back here “while I’m around. Read more below.Spain Now Rules Both Men’s And Women’s World SoccerSpain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final capped the 39-day tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada.The win means Spain now holds both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles, after the women’s team triumphed in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.Spain’s women’s team will defend their crown at the next Women’s World Cup in Brazil, which begins on June 24, 2027.The men will defend their title at the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco ― with opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the tournament’s centenary.Before then, Spain’s next major international tournament will be Euro 2028, held across England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, starting June 9.Spain’s World Cup Champions Head Home For Royal Welcome And Parade Through MadridSpain’s World Cup-winning team is set to return to Spain on Monday afternoon, where the squad will be greeted by the Spanish royal palace and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before boarding an open-top bus for a parade through central Madrid in the evening.Throngs of fans are expected to greet them as they travel from near Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence, to Cibeles Square.A ceremony with the players will then be held at the square, where previous Spanish national teams and their supporters have traditionally gathered to celebrate.Spain walked off with the trophy at Sunday’s final after defeating now-dethroned champion Argentina 1-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was only the second time — after a 2010 victory in South Africa — that Spain won the title.The Spanish capital erupted into celebrations after the final whistle, with thousands of supporters pouring into the streets from bars and restaurants, many draped in Spanish flags or wearing the team’s colors.Crowds packed Madrid’s Puerta de Sol and other major squares — singing, dancing and setting off flares while car horns blared throughout the capital.Many celebrated Sunday’s victory long into the wee hours of Monday morning.“I’m very happy. I’ve slept three or four hours, but for the team, I’ll do whatever it takes,” said 19 year-old Victor Álvarez early Monday.The World Cup title, combined with the Women’s World Cup won by Spain in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both the men’s and women’s titles simultaneously.Celebrations were dampened, however, after local authorities reported that a 13-year old in Salamanca, northwest of Madrid, had died after a fountain he had climbed onto with friends celebrate had collapsed.For many young Spanish supporters, the triumph is their first time witnessing the men’s team lift the trophy — and the national delirium that has followed.Ahead of the team’s return, supporters waited in Madrid’s Barajas airport ready to greet them in an arrivals hall, many donning the team’s jerseys and waving Spanish flags.Groups of supporters also began securing their spots near Cibeles Square late Monday morning, bringing umbrellas to protect against the sun and temperatures that are expected to climb to 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).Fox World Cup Announcer Commits Massive Celebrity BonerFox announcer John Strong badly booted a celebrity spotting during the World Cup final on Sunday. Read more below.Javier Bardem Says He's 'Very Proud' Of This Spain-Trump World Cup Final MovePolitically outspoken Spanish Oscar winner Javier Bardem on Sunday spoke not only of his pride in Spain’s second World Cup triumph, but also in the way the team’s players handled Donald Trump during the trophy presentation.Read more here:See All Updates