Anticipated World Cup final match-up
The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match will feature Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, against Spain, with Lamine Yamal. This final brings together two teams that held the top two positions in FIFA‘s world rankings leading into the tournament, with Argentina ranked No. 1 and Spain at No. 2.
Argentina, the defending champions, are aiming for their fourth title and could become the first team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962. Spain is seeking its second title, having previously won in 2010. The final will be broadcast in English on Fox and in Spanish on Telemundo, with streaming options available through the FOX One app and Peacock for the Spanish broadcast, as well as YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV for subscribers.
This will be the first World Cup final held on American soil since 1994. The 2026 tournament is notable for being hosted by three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—with games spread across 16 cities, and the field expanded to 48 teams.
Team paths to the final
Argentina secured their spot in the final after a comeback victory against England with a score of 2-1 in a semifinal match on Wednesday. They have maintained an unbeaten streak in their last 13 World Cup matches, including 11 victories and two draws, since an opening group play loss in the 2022 tournament.
Spain advanced to the final by defeating France 2-0 in their semifinal match on Tuesday. The team enters the final with a 37-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and friendlies, comprising 28 wins and nine draws. Their last loss was in March 2024 against Colombia.
Argentina has been a strong offensive force in the tournament, leading in goals scored with 19. Spain, on the other hand, has demonstrated a robust defense, having allowed the fewest goals in the tournament, with only one conceded. The final is expected to draw an audience of 82,500 fans at MetLife Stadium.
Historical context and player narratives
The upcoming final features a compelling narrative involving Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. A photograph from 2007 shows Messi, then part of a UNICEF program, posing with a baby, who was later identified as Yamal. Both players went on to become left-footed stars for Barcelona. This unexpected connection sees them facing each other in the World Cup final two decades later.
A planned match between Argentina and Spain, known as Finalissima, was scheduled for late March in Doha, Qatar, but was canceled due to security concerns stemming from unrest in the Middle East. This cancellation prevented an earlier encounter between the two teams and their star players. The final will mark a significant moment in soccer, bringing together these two prominent figures.
The final will also feature a departure from recent tradition, as FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that President Donald Trump will be present to hand the trophy to the winning team. This is not unprecedented, as heads of state have participated in trophy presentations before, such as Queen Elizabeth II in 1966.
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Source: apnews.com
