Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time Sunday to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sending fans gathered at viewing parties across New York City into celebration.
The teams remained scoreless through 90 minutes of regulation before Spain scored in extra time. At a large viewing party on Governors Island, the goal broke more than an hour and a half of tension and set off celebrations among Spain supporters.
Fans celebrate on Governors Island after Spain wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans there had filled a large stretch of lawn Sunday afternoon for a viewing party dubbed “The People’s Final” by Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office. Some wore jerseys from Spain and Argentina, while others arrived in neutral colors to watch the match on a large outdoor screen. Many also wore New York City-themed World Cup jerseys promoted by Mamdani.
Soccer fans gather for a World Cup Final viewing party on Governors Island.
The atmosphere shortly before kickoff was relaxed, with fans enjoying clear skies, temperatures around 80 degrees and a breeze off the water. Soccer fields were set up nearby for children and adults, while food trucks drew long lines.
Alejandro Allen and Daniel Ferrufino, both Argentina fans, and Spain supporter Billy Hernandez came to New York from Providence for a bachelor party. At halftime, with the match still scoreless, Allen and Ferrufino said Argentina was right where it needed to be.
“If you're an Argentina fan, you're happy because they didn't concede,” Allen said.
The group's halftime assessment was more positive than its review of the concessions. They said they'd waited 40 minutes and paid $25 for a drink that one described as tasting like “sugar and lemonade.”
Fans watch the World Cup Final on a large screen on Governors Island on Sunday.
The crowd gasped and cheered as both teams created scoring chances during a tense match that remained scoreless through regulation. Spain repeatedly threatened Argentina's goal, with a near miss late in the first half drawing a collective gasp from the crowd. By the closing minutes of regulation, fans appeared ready to erupt as Spain continued pressing for a breakthrough.
The crowd also erupted in boos when President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino appeared on the broadcast.
The tension carried into extra time. Fans briefly thought Spain had found the winning goal, erupting in celebration before the goal was disallowed for a foul.
Argentina fans watch the World Cup Final on Governors Island.
Spain finally broke through at the start of the second half of extra time. The crowd on Governors Island went wild, releasing more than 90 minutes of pent-up tension.
Argentina threatened late but could not equalize, sealing Spain's 1-0 victory.
Fans celebrate during The FIFA World Cup Final Watch Party at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center.
After the final whistle, Spanish fans draped in their country's flags sang and danced. But the crowd began dispersing quickly after spending more than two hours watching the tense match in the afternoon sun.
Fans watch the World Cup Final on Governors Island on Sunday.
The Governors Island gathering was one of several viewing parties across the city, including an event at the Javits Center in Manhattan. Fans also gathered at bars, restaurants and other venues to watch the final.
Auguste Yung, who was visiting from Los Angeles, said he was surprised by how much of an impression the World Cup made across the country.
“Before the World Cup, I was really thinking that it was going to be not bad for the country, but that it wouldn't really make that much of a mark, and I've been really surprised and pleasantly so,” Yung said.
Sunday's match capped the largest World Cup to date, with 48 national teams competing over 39 days in cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
