World Cup Final: Spain vs Argentina in New York
Tonight at 22:00, the 2026 World Cup final kicks off at MetLife Stadium in New York, featuring Spain and Argentina. The match includes a first-ever halftime show and championship rings.
The 2026 World Cup reaches its climax tonight at MetLife Stadium in New York, where Spain and Argentina face off for the trophy. The match starts at 22:00 local time, broadcast live on TV6.
Both teams enter the final unbeaten, but Spain began the tournament with a draw against Cape Verde, while Argentina has won all seven matches. Argentina seeks its fourth World Cup title, while Spain aims for its second, having won its only title in 2010.
Spain boasts the best defense, conceding just one goal so far, becoming the first team to keep six clean sheets in a single World Cup. Argentina has the best attack with 19 goals. Spain holds a 37-match unbeaten streak, a European record, and a win would extend it.
Argentina plays in its seventh World Cup final, second only to Germany's eight. A victory would make it the third nation to defend the title, after Italy and Brazil. However, the last three defending champions to reach the final have lost.
This is the first final between the current European and world champions, and the first between the top two in the FIFA rankings. The teams last met in a 2018 friendly (6-1 to Spain), and in a World Cup in 1966 (Argentina won 2-1). Overall head-to-head: 14 matches, each with six wins and two draws.
Both teams are proficient at late goals: Spain has scored after the 85th minute in three of its last four games, while Argentina has netted eight goals from the 85th minute onward, a tournament record. Spain's top scorer is Mikel Oyarzabal (5 goals); Argentina's is Lionel Messi (8 goals, 4 assists). Messi could equal Cafu for most World Cup final appearances (three) if he plays.
The final features a first-ever halftime entertainment show with Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Coldplay, and others, extending the break to about 30 minutes. Winners will receive championship rings for the first time, and U.S. President Donald Trump will present the trophy. Argentina President Javier Milei will watch from home due to superstition. Prize money: champions get $50 million, runners-up $33 million.
The next World Cup in 2030 will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with one game in Uruguay to mark the centenary.
