The FIFA World Cup 2026 has come to a close, and Spain have been crowned champions after a memorable final staged at MetLife Stadium. BBC Sport's Football Daily podcast hosts Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith were present at the ground, bringing listeners an intimate account of one of football's greatest nights.

Having watched the match live from the stands, Rick and Lloyd reflected on the electric atmosphere inside MetLife Stadium and what it truly means to witness a World Cup final in person — a spectacle that few fans ever experience firsthand.

Hart on Spain's deserved triumph

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart joined the show to offer his analysis of the final. Hart was unequivocal: Spain deserved to lift the trophy. He broke down the key moments that defined their victory and explained what set the European champions apart from their opponents throughout the tournament.

Half-time show debate

The final also featured a much-discussed half-time show, and the podcast did not shy away from the debate. Kelly Cates offered her verdict on the wider spectacle surrounding the occasion, weighing up whether the entertainment added to the grandeur of the evening or risked pulling focus away from the football itself.

Opinions were divided — as they tend to be whenever a major entertainment production is woven into a sporting event of this magnitude — but the conversation highlighted just how much the World Cup has grown into a global cultural moment beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch.

Six weeks across the United States

For Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith, the final marked the end of an extraordinary six-week journey covering the tournament from Los Angeles and New York. The pair signed off from the World Cup with one last reflection on what made this edition of the competition unforgettable — both as a sporting contest and as a personal experience.

Spain's triumph caps a remarkable campaign for one of international football's most celebrated sides, and the scenes at MetLife Stadium will linger long in the memory of everyone fortunate enough to be there.