Defending champions Argentina will face Spain on Sunday in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, bringing to a close the largest tournament in World Cup history after five weeks of competition across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The expanded tournament, featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches for the first time, will crown its champion at MetLife Stadium before an expected capacity crowd of 80,000 spectators.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, is aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title and claim its fourth world championship. Spain, inspired by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, is chasing its second World Cup crown, having previously lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni urged football fans to enjoy what could be another historic World Cup final for the 39-year-old Messi.
“He has made history. He is a legend,” Scaloni said of the former Barcelona captain, who guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar.
Spain captain Rodri said his team is preparing for a physically demanding encounter and will seek to remain focused despite any potential attempts to provoke the players.
Star-Studded Halftime Show
The final will be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, marking his only appearance at a World Cup match during the tournament.
Organizers have also planned an elaborate entertainment program featuring international stars including Tom Cruise, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS, transforming MetLife Stadium into a major entertainment venue before and during the match, which kicks off at 3:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).
Officials are also closely monitoring smoke from Canadian wildfires, which has spread across parts of the United States.
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House World Cup Task Force, said meteorological experts are working closely with FIFA to monitor air quality ahead of the final.
Jordanian Officials Appointed to the Final
FIFA announced on Friday that Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh will serve as the fourth official, while Mohammad Khalaf has been appointed as the reserve assistant referee for the World Cup final.
The fourth official plays a key role in managing technical areas, supervising player substitutions, displaying added time, monitoring match procedures, and assisting the referee through the communication system throughout the game.
England Finish Third in Goal-Filled Playoff
England secured third place after defeating France 6-4 in an extraordinary playoff that produced 10 goals, giving England its best World Cup finish since 1966.
The result also saw French forward Kylian Mbappé become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 career World Cup goals, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 21.
After trailing 4-0 at halftime following goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and a first-half brace from Bukayo Saka, France mounted a comeback through two goals from Mbappé and one from Bradley Barcola.
Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Ousmane Dembélé briefly revived French hopes in stoppage time. Jude Bellingham then sealed England’s victory with the final goal of the match.
It marked the first World Cup match to produce at least 10 goals since 1982, when Hungary defeated El Salvador 10-1.
Despite setting the all-time scoring record, Mbappé admitted he would gladly have traded the milestone for a place in Sunday’s final.
“I would have preferred not to become the all-time top scorer if it meant playing in tomorrow’s final,” he said.
France coach Didier Deschamps, who managed his final match after 14 years in charge, said his side paid the price for a disastrous first half despite a vastly improved second-half performance.
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his team’s first-half display but acknowledged that fatigue after several demanding weeks had affected the players during the closing stages of the tournament.
Source: AFP
