{"id":17563,"date":"2026-07-20T15:01:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=17563"},"modified":"2026-07-20T15:01:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:31:33","slug":"the-champions-tournament-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/","title":{"rendered":"The Champion&#8217;s Tournament Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>One goal conceded. Seven matches won. The European Championship in 2024 and the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 in the same cycle. Spain did not stumble into this trophy. They built towards it with a clarity of identity that made them the most consistent, most complete side of an extraordinary tournament. This is how they did it.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#The_Identity_That_Never_Changed\" title=\"The Identity That Never Changed\">The Identity That Never Changed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#The_Group_Stage_%E2%80%94_Setting_the_Standard\" title=\"The Group Stage \u2014 Setting the Standard\">The Group Stage \u2014 Setting the Standard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#The_Quarter-Final_%E2%80%94_Belgium_and_the_Late_Merino_Moment\" title=\"The Quarter-Final \u2014 Belgium and the Late Merino Moment\">The Quarter-Final \u2014 Belgium and the Late Merino Moment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#The_Semi-Final_%E2%80%94_Dismantling_France\" title=\"The Semi-Final \u2014 Dismantling France\">The Semi-Final \u2014 Dismantling France<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#The_Final_%E2%80%94_120_Minutes_to_History\" title=\"The Final \u2014 120 Minutes to History\">The Final \u2014 120 Minutes to History<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Relive Spain&#8217;s <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"><i>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/i><\/a><i> journey in full on ZEE 5. Every match, every goal, every save \u2014 available now. With <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><i>ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription<\/i><\/a><i> Quarterly Plan at \u20b9799 or the Annual Plan at \u20b91,699.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Identity_That_Never_Changed\"><\/span><b>The Identity That Never Changed<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before the tournament, Luis de la Fuente was repeatedly asked whether Spain would adjust its style against different opponents. His answer, across multiple press conferences and in multiple languages, was always the same. Spain would press, Spain would possess, Spain would create \u2014 regardless of who lined up against them. It was not arrogance. It was clarity. And it turned out to be exactly right.<\/p>\n<p>The 4-2-3-1 or the 4-1-2-3 was fixed from the group stage to the 120th minute of the Final. Rodri either played as the pivot. Pedri started in 5 matches. In the last three matches, Ruiz started, and Pedri came in later. Lamine Yamal on the right. Dani Olmo played in the central and right spaces and combined his play with Yamal. Mikel Oyarzabal led the line. The defensive block of Porro, Cubars\u00ed, Laporte, and Cucurella protecting Unai Sim\u00f3n. Eight matches. No significant variation. No identity crisis. The players knew exactly what was being asked of them, and they delivered it with increasing precision as the tournament progressed.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Group_Stage_%E2%80%94_Setting_the_Standard\"><\/span><b>The Group Stage \u2014 Setting the Standard<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/spain\/spain-squad\">Spain <\/a>were the most organised side of the group stage, and the statistics reflected it. They kept three clean sheets, controlled possession in every match, and gave away nothing defensively. Yamal announced himself early \u2014 threatening with every touch, drawing defenders in ways that created space for Olmo and Porro on the overlap. Oyarzabal took his chances clinically. Sim\u00f3n was barely tested, which was entirely by design.<\/p>\n<p>By the time the knockouts arrived, Spain had not only qualified comfortably \u2014 they had established a tone. Other teams were watching them. Coaches were planning against them. The pressure of being the team everyone wanted to stop was arriving. It did not seem to concern De la Fuente or his players in the slightest.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Quarter-Final_%E2%80%94_Belgium_and_the_Late_Merino_Moment\"><\/span><b>The Quarter-Final \u2014 Belgium and the Late Merino Moment<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They defeated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/portugal\/portugal-squad\">Portugal<\/a> in the Round of 16. In the quarter-finals, Belgium offered Spain their stiffest first-half examination of the tournament. Spain dominated, but De Ketelaere&#8217;s header from Castagne\u2019s cross gave <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/belgium\/belgium-squad\">Belgium <\/a>an equaliser, and for the first time in the competition Spain&#8217;s clean sheet record was gone. The response said everything about this squad&#8217;s character. They kept playing. They kept probing. They did not panic.<\/p>\n<p>The winner came from Mikel Merino in the 88th minute \u2014 a rebound goal, the right man in the right place, the reward for sustained pressure over ninety minutes.<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/esp-vs-bel-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z51002740?utm_source=GoogleOneBox&amp;utm_medium=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_campaign=OneBox_quick_fire_highlight\"> 2\u20131<\/a><\/strong>. Spain advanced to the semi-finals.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Semi-Final_%E2%80%94_Dismantling_France\"><\/span><b>The Semi-Final \u2014 Dismantling France<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/france\/france-squad\">France <\/a>came to Dallas as the team many considered Spain&#8217;s most dangerous opponent. Mbapp\u00e9, Olise, Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, the depth of a squad that had won World Cups and reached multiple finals. Deschamps had been in the job for over a decade. This was the match the tournament had been building towards.<\/p>\n<p>Spain won<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/fra-vs-esp-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z51004107?utm_source=GoogleOneBox&amp;utm_medium=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_campaign=OneBox_quick_fire_highlight\">2\u20130<\/a><\/strong>, and it was not as close. Rodri was immovable in midfield. Yamal had a goal ruled out for offside. But the result never felt in doubt from the moment Spain took the lead. Unai Sim\u00f3n, operating as the sweeper-keeper De la Fuente has always trusted him to be, made two decisive sweeps in the second half that cut off French counter-attacks before they developed. France had chances. Spain had control. Control won.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Final_%E2%80%94_120_Minutes_to_History\"><\/span><b>The Final \u2014 120 Minutes to History<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium was the ultimate examination. The defending champions. Messi. Emiliano Mart\u00ednez, who had won a Golden Glove and a World Cup penalty shootout. The match lasted 120 minutes and finished <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/esp-vs-arg-quickfire-highlights-final-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z51008115?utm_source=GoogleOneBox&amp;utm_medium=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_campaign=OneBox_quick_fire_highlight\">1\u20130.<\/a><\/strong> That scoreline captures almost nothing of what those two hours felt like.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/argentina\/argentina-squad\">Argentina <\/a>registered two attempts in the entire match and zero shots on target. Mart\u00ednez made ten saves in normal time \u2014 largely because Spain&#8217;s volume of attacking play demanded it. Oyarzabal had a low shot brilliantly turned away in the 38th minute. Ferran Torres headed wide when he should have scored at 67 minutes. VAR disallowed a Nico Williams goal in the 96th minute of extra time that sent the stadium silent before anyone had properly celebrated.<\/p>\n<p>And then Pedro Porro delivered a cross to the back post in the 106th minute. Nico Williams headed it across the face of goal. Ferran Torres \u2014 the substitute, the man who had been denied earlier drove the ball into the roof of the net. 1\u20130. Spain led. Fourteen minutes remained. Argentina, ten men since Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez&#8217;s second yellow in the 90+3rd minute, could not find a way through.<\/p>\n<p>The final whistle blew. Spain were world champions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Spain \u2014 FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 champions. Watch every match of their historic run on ZEE 5.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One goal conceded. Seven matches won. The European Championship in 2024 and the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 in the same cycle. Spain did not stumble into this trophy. They built towards it with a clarity of identity that made them the most consistent, most complete side of an extraordinary tournament. This is how they did [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":15163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3656,3032],"class_list":["post-17563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-spain-fifa-world-cup-2026-champions","tag-spain-football-team"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Champion&#039;s Tournament Story<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"FIFA 2026: Spain&#039;s FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 triumph was built on identity, dominance, and a historic final victory over Argentina.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Champion&#039;s Tournament Story\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"FIFA 2026: Spain&#039;s FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 triumph was built on identity, dominance, and a historic final victory over Argentina.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ZEE5 Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-20T09:31:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1132\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sourav K\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sourav K\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sourav K\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033\"},\"headline\":\"The Champion&#8217;s Tournament Story\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-20T09:31:33+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/\"},\"wordCount\":889,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"keywords\":[\"FIFA World cup 2026\",\"Spain FIFA World Cup 2026: Champion's\",\"Spain Football Team\"],\"articleSection\":[\"FIFA World Cup 2026\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/\",\"name\":\"The Champion's Tournament Story\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-20T09:31:33+00:00\",\"description\":\"FIFA 2026: Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 triumph was built on identity, dominance, and a historic final victory over Argentina.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"width\":1132,\"height\":400,\"caption\":\"FIFA World Cup 2026 All Access Pack for \u20b9399\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"FIFA World Cup 2026\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"The Champion&#8217;s Tournament Story\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"ZEE5 Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"ZEE5\",\"alternateName\":\"Zee Entertainment Enterprises\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"ZEE5\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZEE5India\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXOgAl4w-FQero1ERbGHpXQ\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033\",\"name\":\"Sourav K\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Sourav K\"},\"description\":\"With over 10 years of experience in sports journalism, Sourav is a passionate football writer who has been closely following the game since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. What began as a childhood fascination with football has evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding and analysing the sport at every level. As both an ardent fan and a former football player, Sourav brings a unique perspective to his writing. He blends firsthand playing experience with in-depth statistical analysis. Having witnessed the rise and fall of footballing dynasties across multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA Champions League campaigns, Premier League seasons, and international tournaments, he offers readers insightful, balanced, and engaging coverage of the beautiful game. His work is driven by a desire to make football analysis accessible to everyone, right from casual followers looking to stay informed to passionate supporters seeking deeper tactical insights.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Champion's Tournament Story","description":"FIFA 2026: Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 triumph was built on identity, dominance, and a historic final victory over Argentina.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Champion's Tournament Story","og_description":"FIFA 2026: Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 triumph was built on identity, dominance, and a historic final victory over Argentina.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/","og_site_name":"ZEE5 Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/","article_published_time":"2026-07-20T09:31:33+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1132,"height":400,"url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Sourav K","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@ZEE5India","twitter_site":"@ZEE5India","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Sourav K","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/"},"author":{"name":"Sourav K","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033"},"headline":"The Champion&#8217;s Tournament Story","datePublished":"2026-07-20T09:31:33+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/"},"wordCount":889,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","keywords":["FIFA World cup 2026","Spain FIFA World Cup 2026: Champion's","Spain Football Team"],"articleSection":["FIFA World Cup 2026"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/","name":"The Champion's Tournament Story","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","datePublished":"2026-07-20T09:31:33+00:00","description":"FIFA 2026: Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 triumph was built on identity, dominance, and a historic final victory over Argentina.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","width":1132,"height":400,"caption":"FIFA World Cup 2026 All Access Pack for \u20b9399"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/the-champions-tournament-story\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"FIFA World Cup 2026","item":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Champion&#8217;s Tournament Story"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/","name":"ZEE5 Blog","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization","name":"ZEE5","alternateName":"Zee Entertainment Enterprises","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"ZEE5"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/","https:\/\/x.com\/ZEE5India","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXOgAl4w-FQero1ERbGHpXQ"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033","name":"Sourav K","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Sourav K"},"description":"With over 10 years of experience in sports journalism, Sourav is a passionate football writer who has been closely following the game since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. What began as a childhood fascination with football has evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding and analysing the sport at every level. As both an ardent fan and a former football player, Sourav brings a unique perspective to his writing. He blends firsthand playing experience with in-depth statistical analysis. Having witnessed the rise and fall of footballing dynasties across multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA Champions League campaigns, Premier League seasons, and international tournaments, he offers readers insightful, balanced, and engaging coverage of the beautiful game. His work is driven by a desire to make football analysis accessible to everyone, right from casual followers looking to stay informed to passionate supporters seeking deeper tactical insights.","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"}]}},"blog_post_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",150,53,false],"full":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",1132,400,false]},"categories_names":{"3019":{"name":"FIFA World Cup 2026","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"}},"tags_names":{"3031":{"name":"FIFA World cup 2026","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"},"3656":{"name":"Spain FIFA World Cup 2026: Champion's","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/spain-fifa-world-cup-2026-champions\/"},"3032":{"name":"Spain Football Team","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/spain-football-team\/"}},"comments_number":"0","wpmagazine_modules_lite_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",150,53,false],"cvmm-medium":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",300,106,false],"cvmm-medium-plus":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",305,108,false],"cvmm-portrait":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",400,141,false],"cvmm-medium-square":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",600,212,false],"cvmm-large":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",1024,362,false],"cvmm-small":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",130,46,false],"full":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",1132,400,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17563"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17565,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17563\/revisions\/17565"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}