The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to a close.
Spain is the winner after a thrilling 1-0 win in the final, holding off Lionel Messi and Argentina from winning a second consecutive title.
The tournament began on June 11 with the opening match in Mexico, before play extended to the United States and Canada. It was an exciting tournament overall, as well as the first to feature 48 teams.
New heroes — such as Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha — were created, while several of the sport’s legends — such as Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé — continued putting their stamp on the world’s biggest stage.
Here’s a look back at the tournament through some of NBCDFW’s favorite images, featuring unique atmospheres, raucous fans, the most memorable moments and more.
If you’d like to share your World Cup pictures with us, send them to us at isee@nbcdfw.com
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Edward Ayala/NBC 5 Investigates
2026 FIFA World Cup signage in Arlington at AT&T Stadium. IT was renamed Dallas Stadium during the 2026 World Cup. Arlington’s mayor said it made logical sense that World Cup branding uses Dallas over Arlington.
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NBCDFW
Image of Dallas Stadium as fans left the World Cup match.
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Edward Ayala/NBC 5 Investigates
Arlington’s AT&T Stadium was renamed Dallas Stadium during the 2026 World Cup
Arlington’s mayor said it made logical sense that World Cup branding uses Dallas over Arlington
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NBCDFW.com
Name change at Arlington’s Dallas Stadium to comply with FIFA rules. MetLife and SOFI Stadiums also changed to comply with FIFA rules on corporate naming of playing facilities.
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Edward Ayala, NBC 5 Investigates
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, left, hosted nine World Cup matches while Toyota Stadium in Frisco, center, and Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield, right, hosted practices for World Cup teams.
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AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
AT&T Stadium, where 9 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer matches were played in Arlington, Texas.
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Edward Ayala, NBC 5 Investigates
AT&T Stadium in Arlington dressed as Dallas Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Texas Sky Ranger
Name change at Arlington’s ‘Dallas Stadium’
MetLife and SOFI Stadiums also changed to comply with FIFA rules on corporate naming of playing facilities.
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 14: Japan fans cheer in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JUNE 25: Fans of Japan pose before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Japan and Sweden at Dallas Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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Japanese tradition of cleaning up after World Cup games. Fans of Team Japan continued their famous tradition of cleaning up the stands after a 1-1 draw against Sweden at Dallas Stadium.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with “Orange Fanwalk” and the Dutch Orange Bus. The Netherlands played Japan at Dallas stadium before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with an “Orange Fanwalk” around Choctaw Stadium, the former home of the Texas Rangers. The Netherlands played Japan at Dallas Stadium before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with “Orange Fanwalk” and the Dutch Orange Bus outside Texas Live! The Netherlands played Japan at Dallas Stadium before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with “Orange Fanwalk” and the Dutch Orange Bus outside Globe Life Field. The Netherlands played Japan at Dallas Stadium before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with their famous Orange Bus. The Netherlands played Japan at Dallas Stadium before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with “Orange Fanwalk” and the Dutch Orange Bus
The Netherlands played Japan at ‘Dallas’ stadium, before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with “Orange Fanwalk” and the Dutch Orange Bus
The Netherlands played Japan at ‘Dallas’ stadium, before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Dutch fans take over Arlington with “Orange Fanwalk” and the Dutch Orange Bus
The Netherlands played Japan at ‘Dallas’ stadium, before taking on Sweden and Tunisia in Group F play.
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Croatia fans march through Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit.
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Croatia fans march through Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march along Griffin Street in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march along Griffin Street in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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Croatia fans march in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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NBCDFW.com
Croatia fans march in Downtown Dallas with a supporter flag. Fans celebrated with parties, parades, and plenty of team spirit. Croatia lost the game against England 4-2.
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NBC 5 News
Free World Cup watch party at Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park
The free global watch parties were broadcast in English and Spanish.
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Dallas’ Londoner Pub hosted England-Croatia World Cup watch party. The Londoner reached capacity as supporters cheered England’s 4-2 win.
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England fans celebrate one of their four goals against Croatia at Dallas’ Londoner Pub’s World Cup watch party. The Londoner reached capacity as supporters cheered England’s 4-2 win.
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England fans celebrate one of their four goals against Croatia at Dallas’ Londoner Pub’s World Cup watch party. The Londoner reached capacity as supporters cheered England’s 4-2 win.
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Fans celebrate one of the six goals at Dallas’ Londoner Pub’s World Cup watch party. The Londoner reached capacity as supporters cheered England’s 4-2 win.
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England fans celebrate their win over Croatia at Dallas’ Londoner Pub’s World Cup watch party. The Londoner reached capacity as supporters cheered England’s 4-2 win.
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Getty Images
Harry Kane, left, and Petar Musa, right, play in a World Cup match in Arlington, Texas, June 17, 2026.
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Michael Steele/Getty Images
England fans celebrate during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
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IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group J – Argentina v Austria – Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. – June 22, 2026 Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Maria Lysaker
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Photo by Aric Becker / AFP via Getty Images
Football fans attend the 2026 World Cup Group F football match between Japan and Sweden at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 25, 2026.
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Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after becoming the first player to score in 7 World Cup matches in a row, at the Dallas Stadium on June 27, 2026.
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Norwegian fans row into North Texas, ready for game against Côte d’Ivoire
Norway was the first European team in this tournament to advance to the Round of 16 after Germany and the Netherlands were eliminated.
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Erling Haaland returned to Norway holding what appeared to be a taxidermy raccoon posed with a bottle. Haaland’s newest pal is from Wild Bill’s Western Store in Downtown Dallas!
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GETTY IMAGES
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 03: Egypt players celebrate as the win the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Australia and Egypt at Dallas Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
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Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32 – Australia v Egypt – Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. – July 3, 2026 Egypt’s Hossam Abdelmaguid celebrates after the match as Egypt qualify for the Round of 16 stage of the World Cup IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Maria Lysaker
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GETTY IMAGES
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) with post game celebration during Round of 32 FIFA World Cup 2026, Australia and Egypt, Dallas Stadium, Arlington, United States on July 03 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Spain celebrates advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals. It was the sixth and final World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old superstar, ending with a 1-0 loss to his border rival in a round of 16 game.
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A stoic Cristiano Ronaldo exits last World Cup with ‘clear conscience’ after Portugal loses to Spain
The sixth and final World Cup for the 41-year-old superstar ended with a 1-0 loss to border rival Spain in a round of 16 game.
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Tahera Rahman, NBC 5 News
World Cup fans watch a match from Texas Live.
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Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
14 July 2026, United States, Arlington: Soccer, Men’s, 2026 World Cup, France vs. Spain, Semifinal, Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Lucas Digne (France) fouls Lamine Yamal (Spain).
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Fort Worth man celebrated as World Cup’s 50 millionth fan
Immy Khan was the proud winner after attending the match between Spain and Portugal at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.