Tuesday 21 / July / 2026
MUSCAT: For the nearly 300 Spanish nationals living in Oman, Monday morning became a moment to cherish as Spain defeated Argentina to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy.
Celebrations broke out at hotels, restaurants and cafés across Muscat as Spanish supporters hugged, waved flags and sang in jubilation following the final whistle.
Spain’s Ambassador to Oman, F. Javier de Istúriz, described the victory as an emotional and unforgettable experience. “It was a great final that we all lived with great emotion. Argentina proved to be a very tough rival,” the ambassador said.
He also thanked football fans in Oman for their support throughout the tournament. “I am very grateful for the numerous messages of support we received during the championship. I am delighted that Spain’s victory has been celebrated by so many people,” he added.
For Spanish expatriate Carlos, the night became one of the most memorable moments since moving to Oman.
“When the final whistle blew, everyone wearing Spain’s colours jumped up together. It was emotional because we had waited years for another World Cup title,” he said.
Fernandez also praised the sporting spirit displayed by fans in Oman.
“There were Argentina supporters all around us, but everything remained respectful. People celebrated together despite supporting different teams.”
For Argentina supporters, however, the result brought heartbreak.
Argentine expatriate Sofia admitted the defeat was painful but said reaching the final was still a remarkable achievement. “Of course we wanted to defend our title, but Spain deserved the victory. It hurts, but that’s football. We are proud of the way Argentina fought until the very end,” she said.
Many Argentine fans were left in tears as their hopes of retaining the World Cup slipped away. Yet despite the disappointment, they applauded their team’s effort and congratulated Spain on a deserved victory.
One of the most touching moments came after the final whistle.
While emotions ran high across the pitch, Lionel Messi embraced Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal in the centre circle.
Messi congratulated the youngster on winning his first World Cup, while Yamal offered words of comfort to the Argentine legend following the defeat—a gesture that quickly became one of the defining images of the final and a reminder of the mutual respect that exists at the highest level of the game.
ENDS
