Spain have beaten Argentina to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time in history.  

It caps off a tournament that delivered drama on the pitch – and a long list of controversies off it. 

From sky‑high ticket prices and visa headaches, to political grandstanding and fresh questions over Fifa’s priorities, many fans are wondering whether this World Cup was still about the football – or about power and money. 

So what does the tournament tell us about where the global game is heading – and where to from here for the world’s biggest sporting event? 

Today on The Front Page, we speak to NZ Herald sports journalists, Michael Burgess and Nathan Limm to unpack Spain’s triumph, the controversies that overshadowed 2026, and the future of the World Cup.  

Spain&nbsp;have beaten Argentina to win the Fifa World Cup for the second time in history.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It caps off a tournament that delivered drama on the pitch &ndash; and&nbsp;a long list&nbsp;of controversies off it.&nbsp;
From&nbsp;sky‑high&nbsp;ticket prices and visa headaches, to political grandstanding and fresh questions over Fifa&rsquo;s priorities, many fans are wondering whether this World Cup was still about the football &ndash; or about power and money.&nbsp;
So&nbsp;what does&nbsp;the tournament tell us about where the global game is heading &ndash; and where to from here for the world&rsquo;s biggest sporting event?&nbsp;
Today on The Front Page,&nbsp;we speak to NZ Herald&nbsp;sports journalists, Michael&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp;and Nathan Limm&nbsp;to&nbsp;unpack Spain&rsquo;s triumph, the controversies that overshadowed 2026, and the future of the World Cup.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Spain lifted the Fifa World Cup trophy - but did controversy steal the show?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ac5953f2-d692-47e9-a4c7-b48d004b2181/transcript