Spain and Argentina will face off tonight in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, bringing the curtain down on the biggest and longest edition of the tournament in history.
After five weeks of competition across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the expanded World Cup featured 48 national teams and 104 matches, making it the largest edition ever staged. The final will determine the champions of a tournament that has broken multiple records on and off the pitch.
Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are aiming to make history by becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title. A victory would also secure Argentina's fourth World Cup crown.
Meanwhile, Spain will be chasing a second World Cup title after lifting the trophy for the first time at South Africa 2010. Guided by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, La Roja will be looking to cap an impressive tournament with another historic triumph.
The final is expected to attract global attention not only for the football but also for its star-studded festivities. U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the match and present the World Cup trophy to the winners, while the closing ceremony will feature performances from several international stars, including Tom Cruise, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS, with additional entertainment taking place before kickoff and during the historic halftime show.
Tournament organizers have also been closely monitoring weather conditions ahead of the final, particularly concerns over smoke from Canadian wildfires that recently affected parts of the northeastern United States.
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA Task Force, confirmed that officials have been working alongside FIFA and the U.S. National Weather Service to monitor conditions, with meteorological experts stationed at FIFA headquarters to ensure the match proceeds safely.
The final kicks off at 10:00 p.m. Cairo time, as Spain and Argentina battle for football's biggest prize and officially conclude a landmark World Cup that has redefined the scale of the global tournament.
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