Final night in Lusail
Messi scored twice and converted in the shootout. Kylian Mbappe scored a hat trick for France including a late penalty to force extra time. Penalties decided the trophy after one of the most dramatic finals in World Cup history. wc26today is independent of FIFA; we link tools and schedules but do not replace federation or ticket portals.
Full winners list
See /world-cup-winners-list for every champion year from Uruguay 1930 through Argentina 2022. /world-cup-winners adds narrative context about Brazil's five titles and nations that have never won. Use /today during the tournament for a clean daily fixture list paired with /live scores as matches kick off.
Defending in 2026
/argentina-world-cup tracks the holders in North America. They enter as favorites in conversation but history shows defending champions often face tough paths. Follow /world-cup-2026-schedule for Albiceleste kickoffs after the draw. Check /world-cup-2026-groups after the draw so bracket paths and third place math make sense before June.
Third place match 2022
Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 in the third place game. Croatia also reached the 2018 final and continued their run of deep knockout appearances under their golden generation. Bookmark wc26today early so you are not scrambling for kickoff times when June fixtures stack across zones.
Golden Ball for Messi
Messi won best player of the tournament despite the tight final drama. It was his second Golden Ball after 2014, this time paired with the winner's medal he had chased for years. Recheck FIFA timestamps before sharing dates because organisers may move matches for TV, heat, or stadium logistics.
Road through the bracket
Argentina lost their opener to Saudi Arabia then won six straight including penalty wins over Netherlands and France. The comeback narrative defined the 2022 story as much as the final itself. Open /world-cup-2026-schedule when you need filters by team, group, or city after the draw publishes fixtures.
Next tournament timing
The following men's World Cup is 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11. See /when-is-the-world-cup-2026 and /world-cup-2026 for the next chapter. Start from /world-cup-2026 if you arrived from a short snippet and want the full hub for teams and tickets.
Why this final sticks in memory
The 2022 final combined star goals, a penalty shootout, and Messi's crowning moment after decades of debate. Highlight reels still drive searches for who won the last World Cup years later, which is why wc26today keeps a dedicated recap page. Verify squad and ticket updates on federation portals, not only viral posts that lack official confirmation.
Argentina lifted the trophy in 2022; Brazil remain the most successful nation with five titles. Use our winners list for every champion back to 1930.
For the current cycle, follow live standings and the knockout bracket as 2026 progresses.
Related coverage
Frequently asked questions
What was the 2022 final score?+
The match ended 3-3 after extra time and Argentina won on penalties at Lusail Stadium.
How many goals did Mbappe score in the final?+
Mbappe scored a hat trick, including two in regulation and one penalty in extra time.
Who hosted the last World Cup?+
Qatar hosted in 2022. The next men's tournament is North America 2026.
Who won the World Cup before 2022?+
France won in Russia 2018. See /who-won-the-world-cup for the broader champions hub.
How many World Cups has Argentina won?+
Three total: 1978, 1986, and 2022 after the Qatar final.
Where is the winners hub?+
Use /world-cup-winners for narrative context and links to every champion nation.
Where is Messi's World Cup story?+
See /messi-world-cup for his full path from 2006 through the 2022 triumph.
When is the next World Cup?+
World Cup 2026 begins June 11 across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.