Spain and Argentina are set to face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at 19:00 GMT in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The match will determine the champion of the tournament and secure a place in football history for the winner.

The build-up to the final has focused on key figures such as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, as well as factors like wildfire smoke and the referee selection. According to the Opta supercomputer, Spain enters the final as the favorite to lift the trophy.

Officiating has come under scrutiny after Egypt lodged a formal complaint following its 3-2 defeat to Argentina. However, FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, defended the match officials, stating, “Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials.” Collina’s recent notable decision was sending off Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie during the round of 32 after a video review.

In related tournament news, England secured third place by defeating France with a hat-trick from Saka in the World Cup Bronze Final. Meanwhile, the 'Spanish style' of play has won over many New York fans ahead of the final.

The final promises to be a significant event in the world of football, held in the United States, a country hosting the tournament.

Sources