The stage is officially set for the final weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain and defending champions Argentina advancing to Sunday’s championship match, while France and England will meet in the third-place playoff.
The World Cup final will take place on Sunday, July 19, at 7 p.m. ET at New York-New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), where Spain will face Argentina in one of the tournament’s most anticipated clashes. A day earlier, France and England will compete for third place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
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Spain reached its first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 after defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals. Argentina, meanwhile, staged another dramatic comeback to beat England 2-1, continuing a remarkable knockout run that has also included victories over Egypt and Switzerland.
The championship match pits two of international football’s most successful sides against one another. Spain has built its run on disciplined defending and midfield control, while Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, has relied on resilience and late heroics to keep its title defense alive.
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Messi enters the final with added motivation after reclaiming the lead in the adidas Golden Boot race following Argentina’s semifinal victory over England. Sunday’s match will mark the third World Cup final of the Argentine captain’s career, having finished runner-up in 2014 before lifting the trophy in 2022.
Speaking ahead of the final, Messi praised Spain while also acknowledging the challenge awaiting Argentina in the final match of the tournament.
“They’re a tremendous team, with outstanding players. They play excellent football,” Messi said. “I know the Spanish side well and they have a style of play they’ve developed over many years. Several of the squad play for Barca, a club that means a great deal to me. It will be a special World Cup final and, obviously, I expect it to be very closely matched.”