Spain midfielders Gavi and Fabián Ruiz were presented with their respective body weight in tomatoes by their hometown, Los Palacios y Villafranca, following their FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph. The Seville town, known for its tomatoes, previously gave the same honour to Jesús Navas after Spain's 2010 victory. Local grounds were also renamed after Gavi and Fabián during a ceremony.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday revealed that more than 1.7 billion people worldwide watched FIFA World Cup-related videos on YouTube during this year's tournament. "It was our most viewed World Cup ever on YouTube, bringing lifetime views of related content to over 200 billion," he added on X. A total of 104 matches were played during this year's tournament.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is reportedly considering legal action over alleged misinformation targeting Argentina’s players during World Cup. This comes after several reports claimed FIFA and match officials helped Argentina progress in the tournament. According to the report, AFA's legal team is collecting posts, screenshots and manipulated images for potential defamation cases.

Spain midfielder Gavi said that Argentina players, including Leandro Paredes, should not receive a suspension for their post-match violent conduct following the World Cup final. Although acknowledging the incident set a poor example for children, he said Paredes should have been sent off at the time and the matter left there. Paredes had shoved Gavi to the ground.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala said he would apologise to Spain's Dani Olmo in person if they meet again for his post-game altercation after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. "It was more of a push than anything else. It wasn't a punch like they want to make it out to be," he added while discussing the incident.

FIFA has announced its fan-voted World Cup 2026 Dream XI, featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in attack. Rodri, Michael Olise and Jude Bellingham form the midfield, while Pedro Porro, Lisandro Martínez, Dayot Upamecano and Marc Cucurella make up the defence. Cape Verde’s Vozinha was picked by worldwide fans as goalkeeper ahead of Golden Glove winner Unai Simón.

Argentine Football Association (AFA) denied reports that its President Claudio Tapia and Treasurer Pablo Toviggino were summoned by US courts or had devices seized. Local media claimed FBI agents questioned them at JFK Airport amid scrutiny of $300 million in AFA-linked commercial contracts & a wider money-laundering probe. AFA acknowledged a third party was summoned before a US grand jury.

After Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain defender Eric García's neck during post-match altercation in FIFA World Cup 2026 final, ex-Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović called it unprofessional. "Paredes can be happy there was no player like me on the pitch...I would've headbutted him and been sent off," he said. "I don't know what Spanish players were doing?" he further added.

A mural honouring Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 final hero Ferran Torres was vandalised in Barcelona's Gràcia neighbourhood within 24 hours of its unveiling. Created by street artist TVBoy, it depicted Torres kissing the trophy after scoring Spain's winner against Argentina. Vandals covered it with white and black paint and wrote anti-Spain and pro-Catalan-national-team messages across the artwork.

Former Netherlands football team captain Mark van Bommel has been appointed as the head coach of the Belgian national team. He has replaced Rudi Garcia, who stepped down after the team's FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final exit. Van Bommel last managed Royal Antwerp, leading the club to the Belgian league, Cup and Super Cup titles in two years.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the behaviour of Argentina's players after his side's 1-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup final. "I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that calibre, whom I had been praising in the days before," he said. FIFA has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate the incident.

Cape Verde's FIFA World Cup 2026 hero Vozinha has signed a contract with Chilean club Colo Colo, club president Aníbal Mosa announced. The 40-year-old goalkeeper will travel to Chile to undergo a medical before being officially unveiled at Estadio Monumental. Vozinha, who left Portuguese second-tier side Chaves before World Cup, was voted into FIFA's fan-voted World Cup 2026 Dream XI.

US President Donald Trump reacted to Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 final hero Ferran Torres wearing the 'Make Spain Great Again' cap during Spain's World Cup victory celebrations in Madrid. "He was essentially wearing a 'Make America Great Again' cap," Trump said. He added, "It was a nice tribute, and I think he meant that very nicely. We appreciate it."

Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has officially retired after taking charge of FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina. The 46-year-old, who became the first Slovenian to referee a World Cup final, ended his international career after 16 years. IFFHS named him the tournament’s best referee, while he also received Italy’s prestigious Giulio Campanati Award.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended FIFA's handling of the World Cup 2026 and hit back at critics in a post-tournament statement. "This World Cup celebrated humanity at its best," he said. Infantino added, "To those spending their time and energy hating us, please take a moment to...meditate, pray, or watch a football match and truly observe the faces, eyes, emotions."

France captain Kylian Mbappé penned an open letter to France fans after the team finished fourth at the FIFA World Cup 2026. "Thank you. A month full of emotions, in which we pushed the limits of our abilities," the 27-year-old wrote. Mbappé added, "Perhaps we owed you a better ending, but we do not always choose how the story ends."

FIFA has named defender Sidny Lopes Cabral’s strike for Cape Verde against Argentina as the Goal of the Tournament at FIFA World Cup 2026. The 23-year-old curled the ball into top corner after beating midfielder Alexis Mac Allister during his team's 2-3 Round of 32 defeat. His goal finished ahead of strikes by Eldor Shomurodov and Wilson Isidor in voting.

Lionel Messi gave personalised mate-drinking kits to each of his Argentina teammates following their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. Defender Marcos Senesi's girlfriend Kelci-Rose Bowers revealed the gift on social media. The set included a customised travel bag bearing the player's name, a gold-coloured Stanley thermos, a mate cup, a straw and yerba mate for Argentina's traditional drink.

Spain defender Marc Cucurella has fulfilled his World Cup promise by getting a tattoo of national team head coach Luis de la Fuente. The artwork, inked on his left arm, shows De la Fuente holding the World Cup trophy. Cucurella had vowed to get the tattoo if Spain won FIFA World Cup 2026. Spain defeated Argentina in the final.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team "lost FIFA World Cup 2026 during [second-half] hydration break against Norway" in Round of 16 match. He admitted he mistakenly thought Brazil were in control of game during the break and made a few team changes, adding "Then we had the problem with Erling Haaland's goal." Haaland scored a brace against Brazil.