Argentina faces Spain in 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will conclude on Sunday, 19 July, when defending champions Argentina meet European champions Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match kicks off at 21:00 CET (16:00 Argentina time, 15:00 ET) and will decide whether Lionel Messi can lead Argentina to a historic back‑to‑back title, his fourth World Cup crown. Spain, led by Luis de la Fuente and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, will try to claim their second title, the first since 2010. The semifinal that sent Argentina through saw a dramatic 2‑1 comeback against England, a result that sparked controversy over refereeing decisions. Messi dedicated the victory to the late Diego Maradona. Off the pitch, the final has personal resonance for Colombian singer Shakira, whose past relationships with Argentine Antonio de la Rúa and Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué link her to both finalist nations, and she will co‑host the halftime show. The event marks the culmination of the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams and the first World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.