Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank erupted in celebration after Spain won the FIFA World Cup. Crowds gathered in public spaces and temporary viewing areas to watch the match, and celebrations began immediately after Spain secured the trophy. People took to the streets, cheering and waving flags in scenes of joy across war-torn areas.

The celebrations carried deeper meaning for many Palestinians, who expressed appreciation not only for Spain’s sporting triumph but also for the Spanish government’s continued support for Palestine. In Spain, fans also showed solidarity with Palestinians during their own celebrations, with many carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans of support.

Spain’s victory, achieved by defeating Argentina in New Jersey, marked the country’s second World Cup title, according to the report sourced from Al Jazeera.

Lionel Messi acknowledged Spain’s superiority after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Spain secured victory through Ferran Torres’s goal in the first minute of extra time’s second half. The Argentine captain, emotional after the match, said he was sorry for the loss but proud of his team’s effort, thanking his country and teammates for their support.

Throughout the match, Spain dominated possession, passing, and shot attempts, leaving Argentina struggling to create chances. Spain recorded 20 shots compared to Argentina’s 2, with the South Americans failing to register a single on-target attempt in the first 90 minutes. Messi, 39, was largely neutralized by Spain’s pressing and midfield control, managing only two touches in the opening 21 minutes and no shots on goal.

Despite the final loss, Messi’s overall tournament performance was outstanding, scoring seven goals and assisting four in six matches. His leadership and creativity carried Argentina to the final, and his gracious acceptance of defeat underscored his enduring sportsmanship.

Spain became world champions after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic final held at the New York–New Jersey Stadium on July 20, 2026. The match remained goalless through regular time, with both teams creating chances but failing to score. Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card, leaving his team with ten men. In extra time, Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to secure Spain’s victory.

The win marked Spain’s second World Cup title, their first since 2010, ending a 16-year wait. Argentina, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, fell short of winning back-to-back titles, leaving players and fans in tears. Spain’s dominance in attack and control of the match proved decisive against the South American powerhouse.

Nineteen-year-old Lamine Yamal celebrated his first World Cup triumph, having previously won the 2024 European Championship. Spain’s Rodri earned the Golden Ball award, while goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove for his performances throughout the tournament.

Bangladesh concluded their tour of Zimbabwe with a T20 series win, defeating the hosts by four wickets in the third and final match in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe batted first and scored 143 for seven, with Myers contributing 73 and Bennett 47. For Bangladesh, Saifuddin took two wickets. In reply, Bangladesh reached 144 for six in 19.4 overs, led by opener Tanzid Hasan’s unbeaten 66 off 58 balls. Captain Towhid Hridoy and Parvez Hossain Emon each added 24 runs. Tanzid Hasan was named player of the match.

The victory sealed the three-match series 2–1 in Bangladesh’s favor, marking a strong finish to a challenging tour. Earlier, Bangladesh had lost the only Test by an innings and the ODI series 2–1, and they also dropped the opening T20 match before bouncing back to win the last two games. The T20 success came despite the absence of key players Liton, Mustafiz, and Miraz.

The series win provided Bangladesh with a morale boost and a positive conclusion to their Zimbabwe campaign.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that an investigation is ongoing into alleged corruption during the 2022 FIFA World Cup broadcast rights process under the previous Awami League government. Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday, he said the 2026 World Cup broadcasting rights were purchased directly from FIFA for 3.85 million US dollars, avoiding intermediaries and reducing government expenses to nearly zero through sub-licensing.

Swapan explained that in 2022, a Singapore-based company first bought the rights for 3.2 million dollars, which were later acquired by Bangladesh’s Toma Construction. Bangladesh Television then purchased the rights from Toma for about 98 crore taka, while Toma sold satellite and digital rights to two private firms for around 40 crore taka, totaling roughly 140 crore taka in transactions involving middlemen.

He emphasized that the current direct purchase model ensures transparency, saves taxpayers’ money, and protects state interests. The ministry plans to make future World Cup broadcasts more technology-driven, financially sustainable, and profitable for the state.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is reaching its conclusion with Spain and Argentina facing off in the final match at New York’s MetLife Stadium. Before the decisive game, FIFA has planned what it calls the most star-studded and expensive closing ceremony in World Cup history. The event will begin 90 minutes before kickoff, featuring American pop icon Post Malone as the main attraction and Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise in a special performance blending football and cinema. The ceremony will open with the U.S. national anthem sung by Oscar-winning artist Jennifer Hudson, followed by performances from Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and influencer IShowSpeed.

For the first time in World Cup history, a halftime show modeled after the American Super Bowl will be introduced. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the 11-minute musical segment will feature BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and Shakira. Shakira and Burna Boy are expected to perform the official World Cup theme song “Dai Dai.”

After the performances, the final match will begin, with Lionel Messi leading Argentina and young talent Lamine Yamal representing Spain in what promises to be a memorable night for football fans worldwide.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina approaches at 1 a.m. on Sunday night, excitement has spread even to the besieged Gaza Strip. Many Palestinians there are supporting Spain, citing the country's political and humanitarian stance toward Palestine as the main reason for their backing.

According to Al Jazeera, Spain officially recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stating that the move aimed to advance a two-state solution, ease Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, and ensure a ceasefire and aid delivery. Spanish players and coaches, including Lamine Yamal and former Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, have publicly expressed solidarity with Gazans, giving the support symbolic importance beyond football.

Despite ongoing Israeli attacks and severe power shortages making it difficult to watch matches, Gazans have organized exhibition games at the Palestine Sports Club in Gaza City to recreate the World Cup atmosphere. Local coach Hatem al-Magribi and former footballer Adnan al-Afifi said these efforts reflect gratitude toward Spain and a desire to revive Gaza’s sporting spirit.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly expressed his support for Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup final against Spain, scheduled to take place today at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. According to a report by The Times of Israel, Netanyahu conveyed his message of goodwill during a meeting with Rabbi Shimon Axel Wanisch, Argentina’s ambassador to Israel. The ambassador delivered a special message from Argentine President Javier Milei, to which Netanyahu responded by calling Milei a true and close friend and wishing Argentina success in the upcoming match.

The final has drawn symbolic attention due to the contrasting political positions of Madrid and Buenos Aires on issues related to Israel. The match has also sparked online discussions, including critical comments about Argentine star Lionel Messi and the spread of antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media.

The event underscores how global sports competitions can reflect broader political and social undercurrents, particularly when national alignments and diplomatic relations intersect with popular culture.

The upcoming World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, scheduled for Sunday night in the United States, has become more than a football match. Due to the two nations’ opposing stances on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the event is being described as a symbolic ‘proxy war’. Social media discussions have intensified, framing the match as a reflection of broader geopolitical divisions.

Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi, known for his ties with Israel, and Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal, who once displayed the Palestinian flag after a victory, have become focal points of this polarization. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised Yamal’s gesture as an expression of solidarity shared by many Spaniards. Meanwhile, Argentina’s President Javier Milei has aligned his foreign policy closely with Israel, contrasting sharply with Sánchez’s criticism of Israeli military actions in Gaza.

Online debates have included conspiracy theories, with some users labeling the match as an “Israel vs Palestine World Cup.” Israeli media and advocacy groups have condemned such narratives as antisemitic. Within Argentina, some citizens have voiced opposition to their government’s pro-Israel stance, recalling Diego Maradona’s past support for Palestine.

The National Sports Council (NSC) announced new ad-hoc committees for 27 sports federations on Saturday, according to a circular signed by its Executive Director, Daulatuzzaman Khan. The decision was made under Section 21 of the National Sports Council Act, 2018 (amended 2026), which led to the dissolution of the existing ad-hoc committees. The previous committees were dissolved for failing to hand over responsibilities to newly elected bodies. The new ad-hoc committees have been made effective immediately.

The circular further stated that, under Section 14(3) of the same Act, each new ad-hoc committee must organize elections within three months and transfer responsibilities to elected committees. The announcement has generated mixed reactions in the sports community. Analysts noted that some members from the previous committees remain in the newly formed bodies, raising questions about transparency and accountability.

The NSC’s three-month deadline aims to ensure democratic management within sports federations, but the inclusion of former organizers in the new committees has prompted debate over the credibility of the reform process.

Lionel Messi has spoken publicly about a viral photograph taken in 2007 showing him bathing a five-month-old baby, who turned out to be Spain’s current football star Lamine Yamal. The image resurfaced ahead of the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, drawing global attention to the remarkable coincidence. Speaking in New York during a conversation with Tom Brady, Messi described the photo as “crazy” and a symbol of life’s unpredictability.

Messi praised Yamal’s exceptional talent, noting that he has followed the young player closely because Yamal plays for a club Messi loves. He called Yamal one of the world’s best players at just 19 years old and said the youngster has a long career ahead with many chances to make history. However, Messi also reminded that Argentina will give their best effort in the final to prevent Yamal from writing that history against them.

The original photo was part of a UNICEF and Diario Sport charity calendar project in Barcelona. Yamal’s father shared it on social media in 2024, making it viral once again before the World Cup final.

France and England will meet today in Miami for the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff, a match often seen as a formality but now charged with pride and redemption. The game, scheduled for 3 a.m., pits two European rivals who fell short in the semifinals—France losing 2–0 to Spain and England surrendering a 1–0 lead to Argentina to lose 2–1.

France’s captain Kylian Mbappé, who leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s defensive tactics after their semifinal defeat. Coach Didier Deschamps, facing criticism at home, is expected to end his long career with this match. England’s manager Thomas Tuchel is also under fire for his defensive approach, with British media questioning his future. A win would mark England’s second-best World Cup result after their 1966 title.

Both teams face injury concerns: France’s William Saliba is unlikely to play due to a back injury, while England’s Reece James is ruled out. Despite the disappointment, the match offers a chance for both sides to restore pride and finish their campaigns on a high note.

Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal will play in the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday, but his father, Munir Nasraoui, will not be in the stands. While Yamal’s mother, younger brother, and friends have been cheering from the gallery throughout the tournament, Nasraoui’s absence has drawn attention. He had accompanied his son during Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign but could not travel to the United States for the World Cup due to health issues.

According to Spanish outlet El Español, Nasraoui suffers from epilepsy, making long flights risky for him. Before the tournament, he expressed concern that the excitement and stress of the final could trigger severe seizures. He explained that he takes daily medication and decided to stay home for his own safety and the comfort of others. Nasraoui said watching the match from home was the best choice for everyone.

Despite his father’s absence, Yamal continues to receive strong support from his family, with his mother and brother actively cheering from the stands throughout the competition.

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is set to take place in New Jersey tomorrow, but the event faces an unexpected challenge as severe air pollution grips the region. Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada has drifted into New York and New Jersey, pushing air quality to hazardous levels. Authorities in New York have issued an emergency health alert, warning residents to limit outdoor activities.

According to IQAir data, Chicago, Detroit, and New York now rank among the world’s most polluted cities. The New York City Emergency Management Department described the situation as the city’s worst smoke crisis since 2023. Environmental expert Michael Petroni compared breathing the city’s air to smoking ten cigarettes a day. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged residents to avoid outdoor exercise, while officials distribute masks to the public.

Despite the suffocating conditions, both finalists have continued their preparations. Spain trained in East Hanover, New Jersey, while defending champions Argentina arrived from Atlanta after completing their final session. The match will kick off at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time, as fans await whether the environmental crisis will affect the spectacle.

FIFA has announced a new tradition in the history of the World Cup, introducing championship rings for the winning team for the first time. The organization confirmed on Friday that the 2026 World Cup champions will receive customized rings in addition to the trophy, gold medals, and prize money. The initiative draws inspiration from American professional sports, where leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have long awarded similar rings to their champions.

According to FIFA, a total of 2,026 rings will be produced. Thirty rings will go to the players and staff of the winning team, while the remaining 1,996 will be sold as limited-edition licensed memorabilia for fans. Each ring will feature the World Cup trophy design, the identity of the champion team, a unique serial number, and a certificate of authenticity. Symbolic rings will be presented to the winning captain and coach during the post-final award ceremony, with the rest delivered later.

The 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will take place on July 19 at the New York–New Jersey Stadium, where the first-ever championship rings in football history will be awarded.