Spain and Argentina have advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, setting up a highly anticipated matchup on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium. Spain secured its place by defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals, while Argentina earned its spot with a 2-1 victory over England.
This final will feature a unique generational storyline, as Lamine Yamal of Spain and Lionel Messi of Argentina will face each other on the international stage for the first time. The two players have a past connection, stemming from a charity photo shoot involving a young Yamal and Messi nearly two decades ago.
Spain's journey to the final has been characterized by strong defensive performances. After opening group play with a draw, the team has won six consecutive matches, holding opponents scoreless through its knockout stage games until conceding in the quarterfinals. Spain defeated Austria (3-0), Portugal (1-0), and Belgium (2-1) before its semifinal win over France.
Argentina, the defending world champion, has maintained a perfect record throughout the tournament. Their path to the final involved close matches in the knockout rounds, including victories in extra time against Cape Verde (3-2), Egypt (3-2), and Switzerland (3-1) before their semifinal win against England.
Lamine Yamal, ranked among the top players in the tournament, has been a key offensive threat for Spain, even as he has progressed from a hamstring injury. Despite not registering goals or assists in the knockout stages, his presence has been noted for creating fear among opposing defenses.
Lionel Messi continues to make history in his sixth World Cup appearance. He leads the tournament with eight goals, bringing his career World Cup total to 21 and becoming the all-time leading scorer. Messi also leads with 12 assists. Argentina's ability to score late goals has been a hallmark of their success.
The final is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FOX, with streaming available on FOX One.