Spain's triumph and Messi's farewell — a look back at the 2026 World Cup

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Eve Irvine is pleased to welcome Robbie Knock, Lead Commentator and sports journalist. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be remembered not only for Spain's triumph on the pitch but also for the way football became enmeshed in politics, entertainment, institutional scrutiny, and the closing chapter of one of the sport's greatest careers. Robbie Knock argues that Spain's victory was the product of tactical superiority rather than fortune, while acknowledging that controversial refereeing decisions complicated perceptions of the tournament. He also presents Lionel Messi's expected international farewell as the conclusion of a defining era in world football, emphasising that dignity in defeat may ultimately reinforce rather than diminish his legacy.