Just 339 days until the Women’s World Cup…

The GIST: Just over five weeks and 104 games later, Spain are your 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) champions, winning the biggest-ever edition by defeating defending champion Argentina 1–0 in extra time yesterday. Here’s how it went down — vamos.

💪 Spain outshoots and outlasts Argentina: La Roja showcased their trademark possession style of play in the final, holding the ball for 68% of the game and connecting 803 passes to Argentina's 445. But despite Spain’s dominance, the match remained scoreless through regular time and the first half of extra time. Finally, Spanish substitute Ferran Torres struck gold in the 106th minute.

• In the end, this match came down to scoring opportunities: While Spain took 20 shots across 120 minutes, Argentina registered just two shots — and their first came at the 117th minute.

• Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s heroics kept La Albiceleste’s hopes alive, but back-to-back WCs were not in the cards for Lionel Messi’s side after a run filled with late-game heroics.

☝️ One golden thing: Compared to the relatively snoozy final, Saturday’s third-place game between England and France was a barnburner. England won 6–4, but Frenchman Kylian Mbappé notched two goals, making him both the Golden Boot winner (10 goals this tourney) as well as earning him the all-time WC goal scoring record (22 goals). Sheesh.

⏩ Looking ahead: The largest-ever 48-team WC shattered viewership records around the world, particularly in North America, a trend that will likely continue when the official numbers from the final weekend are in. There’s a clear appetite for international soccer this side of the Atlantic, a fantastic sign ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. LFG.

⭐️ Every kid deserves a chance to shine both on and off the pitch. That’s why Jumpstart is focused on removing financial, physical, and systemic barriers that so often keep youth on the sidelines.

• Through their new national soccer initiative, Jumpstart is committed to building 25 community soccer pitches across Canada by 2029 in neighbourhoods where access to safe, local sport spaces is limited. That’s what community is all about.

• Since 2005, Jumpstart has helped over 4.5M children access sport and play thanks to support from Canadian Tire Corporation and generous Canadians.

❤️ Jumpstart helps kids build confidence, connection, and real-life skills — the essentials for lifelong success. Wins all around.

The GIST: Argentinian captain Lionel Messi likely played his final WC game yesterday, and while the greatest men’s soccer player of all time hasn’t officially retired from the international scene yet, we’re commemorating the 39-year-old’s incredible career with a look at his WC appearances, by the numbers.

😱 3: Messi is the first man to start in three WC finals, and is officially the oldest outfield player (aka, not a goalie) to appear in a WC final.

👶 2006: Messi competed in six WCs, making his first appearance at age 19 in 2006. Astoundingly, Messi’s WC performances only improved with age — this tourney was his most productive on the stat sheet as the GOAT recorded eight goals and four assists. Not bad for a dad of three.

👏 21: Messi notched 21 goals across his six WCs, scoring in five of the tourneys he participated in. His 21 all-time career WC goals are second only to Mbappé’s 22.

👀 12: Messi’s not done yet. He’s already scored 12 goals for his MLS team, Inter Miami CF, so far this season. Miami’s currently second in the Eastern Conference and will return to play this Saturday. Will Messi see the field that quickly after the WC? Stay tuned.

Sports and dollar dollar bills go hand in hand. And with the women’s sports takeover in full swing, there’s never been a better time to brush up on the business side of, well, the business.

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