Last updated: Wed 22 Jul 2026, 19:00 UTC

2026 FIFA World Cup Final Recap: Record Viewership, Ad Revenue, Match-Fixing Concerns & More

• Spain's victory over Argentina in the World Cup final drew record viewership in Canada, averaging 6.4 million viewers across TSN and RDS.
• Fox and Telemundo combined for a staggering $1.2 billion in World Cup advertising revenue, underscoring the tournament's massive commercial appeal.
• FIFA released an official statement addressing match-fixing concerns at the 2026 World Cup, sharing findings from a dedicated Task Force that monitored suspicious patterns throughout the tournament.
• Barcelona fans expressed frustration over the 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament selection, while Real Madrid saw three players — Cucurella, Bellingham, and Mbappé — named in the FIFA Best XI.
• Analysts are debating whether the 2026 World Cup was a success or failure, with critics noting the expanded tournament was the biggest ever but not universally considered the best.
• Questions remain about whether hosting the World Cup has permanently boosted soccer's popularity in the US, after the sport surged in interest throughout the tournament.
• The future of USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino remains uncertain as US Soccer evaluates the direction of its national team program post-tournament.
• Fans can now purchase the [Adidas replica of the 2026 World Cup final match ball](https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/fifa-world-cup-final-2026-ad