
By Diana Tung and Seth M. Holmes (*)
In August 2026, a deep humanitarian crisis unfolded in Ceuta, a small Spanish enclave situated on Morocco’s northern coast. Around 72,000 people entered from Morocco over the course of two days. More than 100 drowned drowned trying to cross into Spanish territory.

The government of Ceuta has referred to the competent authorities messages circulating on Moroccan social media that call for a fresh attempt at irregular entry into the Spanish enclave on August 15, five days after a migration crisis that left dozens dead.

Spanish intelligence services concluded that Morocco did not plan last Thursday's mass entry of people into Ceuta, although it allowed the crossings and drew political benefit from the international attention, according to sources cited by El País. Other reporting contradicts that account on a key point: whether the government was warned in advance.

Italy ordered the reintroduction of border checks at its ports and airports with Spain on Friday, and France announced it would increase fivefold the officers deployed at its land border from Saturday, after tens of thousands of people entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta irregularly from Morocco.

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday opened disciplinary proceedings against three Argentine footballers, a member of the national team's coaching staff and Spain's Gavi over incidents that followed the 2026 World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The wildfires affecting Spain and France since mid-July have reached an unprecedented scale in both countries, which together account for nearly a quarter of the world's vineyard area. Spain declared a national wildfire emergency for the first time, while French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as the most severe recorded in his country since the Second World War.

In the hours after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, social media filled with posts claiming, without offering evidence, that the result was fixed. Fact-checkers and Argentina's own coach, Lionel Scaloni, moved to dismiss those versions.

The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina ended on Sunday with Spain champions by 1-0 after extra time, but the sporting outcome was overshadowed by a brawl between players from both sides moments after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and by the decision of Argentina's players to turn their backs on the trophy ceremony.

Spain were crowned world champions for the second time in their history by beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final played on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The winning goal came in the 106th minute, after a cross from Pedro Porro that Nico Williams headed on and that, according to the match report, Ferran Torres finished to settle a game clearly dominated by the Spanish side.

US President Donald Trump was one of the central figures off the pitch at the 2026 World Cup final, co-hosting alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino the trophy presentation to Spain, champions after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Trump, who watched the match from the VIP box with his wife, Melania, also held the original trophy before kickoff, in images that circulated widely on social media.