Spain and Argentina set for World Cup 2026 final in New Jersey

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday. Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, who once taught Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, said his team will give "special attention" to Lionel Messi but will not use man‑to‑man marking, recalling a past youth‑team incident. De la Fuente emphasized respect for Messi, describing him as a "unique case". Spanish defender Aritz Labort called for strict refereeing to prevent any misconduct from influencing the match.

The event will feature a halftime show with Madonna, Shakira and BTS, and U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to present the trophy. Messi warned fans that "Spain is not just Lamine Yamal", highlighting the depth of the Spanish squad. The match is also highlighted as a "teacher‑vs‑student" showdown, reflecting the former mentor‑mentee relationship between de la Fuente and Scaloni.