Argentina vs Spain in 2026 World Cup final at MetLife

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will conclude on Sunday, July 19, with a final between defending champion Argentina and European champion Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match, which will be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, will crown a champion in the first 48-team edition of the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Argentina, led by 39-year-old captain Lionel Messi, is aiming to become the first nation to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1962. The team advanced to its second straight final with a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semifinals on July 15. Spain, unbeaten in 37 consecutive matches, secured its first final appearance since 2010 with a 2-0 win over France on July 14. The matchup is seen as a clash between two of international football's most dominant recent forces, with Argentina seeking its fourth consecutive major trophy and Spain looking to add a World Cup to its 2024 European Championship title.

Ahead of the final, both teams expressed profound mutual respect. Spain captain Rodri called Argentina "the toughest rival" and praised Messi as the greatest...