Argentina and Spain set for 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will be played on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina reached the final by defeating England 2‑1 in the semifinal, while Spain earned its place by beating France 2‑0. The match pits the defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, against a youthful Spanish side featuring Lamine Yamal.
For the first time in World Cup history the final will include a halftime show. FIFA has extended the break to 30 minutes to accommodate an 11‑minute performance headlined by Shakira and Burna Boy, with additional acts such as Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber. The event is expected to draw over a billion viewers worldwide.
Both finalists are guaranteed a record prize pool of US $45.5 million, with the champion receiving an additional US $15 million for a total of US $62.5 million. The final also highlights the combined market value of the two squads, estimated at €2.0 billion.
The match will be a focal point for global fans, bar and hospitality sectors, and will be attended by heads of state, including the presidents of Spain and Argentina and the U.S. president.