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Spain and Argentina meet on Sunday World Cup final in New Jersey, where a trophy and a place in football history are at stake.
Away from the pitch, the build-up has focused on Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, predictions, smoke and the referee who was chosen for the biggest game in the game.
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Here’s what you need to know before the finals begin:
What is the schedule for the World Cup final?
- Spain vs ArgentinaSunday, July 19 (19:00 GMT), East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States.
What are the predictions?
This will be the second FIFA World Cup meeting between Spain and Argentina. Their only meeting took place in 1966, when Argentina beat Spain 2-1.
Since the turn of the century, Spain have been successful in the competition, winning three of their four clashes with Argentina.
According to Opta’s advanced system, Spain entered the final as favorites to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy. Over 25,000 pre-match estimates, Spain were champions 59.6 percent of the time, while Argentina successfully defended their title in the remaining 40.4 percent.
Looking at the results after 90 minutes, Spain won in 45 percent of the predictions. The draw, the final submission in extra time, happened in 29.0 percent of the marani, while Argentina won in good time in the remaining 26 percent.
What other things are going on?
Messi last World Cup?
The fans are following Messi’s final trainingGolden Shoe competition, a viral photo of a the son of Yamal and the Argentinian legend, and what many see as the symbolic killing of the torch, is the young Spaniard hoping to declare himself the world’s next football star.
Canada’s wild fire blankets warm up in New York at the end of the World Cup
Smoking from Canadian Fireworks has blanketed much of the northeastern US, prompting health alerts, but a cold front expected over the weekend will help clear dangerous fog during Sunday’s World Cup finals in New York.
More than 80,000 people are expected to attend World Cup final at the New York Stadium in New Jersey, while another 50,000 are expected to watch the games from Central Park in Manhattan.
New York began to feel the effects of the wildfires this week, and city officials issued warnings urging people to limit outdoor activities and take extra breaks when outdoors.
On Thursday, air quality in New Jersey, the site of the stadium, was assessed as “unhealthy for critical groups” by several air monitoring platforms.
The referee is worried at the end
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will officiate the Argentina-Spain World Cup final.
The 46-year-old from Maribor becomes the first Slovenian to take charge of a men’s World Cup final. Previous selections include the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Vincic’s appointment means Argentina, who defended the title, will play their second World Cup final with a European referee overseeing the match against the European Union.
The selection comes after the reference elections involving Argentina focused on the competition. Critics pointed to a number of controversial calls, including Messi’s avoidance of a red card after a collision with an Algerian player. After Egypt complained about being officiated after losing 3-2 to Argentina, FIFA chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officials, saying: “Nobody can question the integrity of FIFA World Cup officials.”
Vincic took charge of three matches at the 2026 World Cup, handing out seven yellow cards, one red card and no penalties. His most recent performance came in the round of 32, when he sent off Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie after watching a video of a close-mouthed tussle with a Mexican player. He also officiated the group stage match between Brazil and Morocco and Algeria’s 2-1 victory over Jordan.
He will be supported by fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, while Germany’s Bastian Dankert will serve as video assistant referee (VAR) and Colombia’s Nicolas Gallo will assist in the video room.
Vincic said he was emotional when he heard about his selection at the FIFA press conference in Miami.
He said: “First I was surprised, then happy. “I was shaking. Presiding over the National Committee finals is a huge honor. It’s every referee’s dream when they start, so I’m proud of myself and my team.”
Messi’s emotional letter to fans
Messi shared an emotional message ahead of the World Cup final, thanking his teammates, coaches and fans for supporting him throughout the team’s journey.
Writing on Instagram late last night, the Argentina captain reflected on his years with the national team, saying his memories go beyond the trophies he won.
“The most beautiful thing about all these years was not just the titles, but the whole journey,” Messi wrote. “Sharing everyday life with this team, competing together, lifting ourselves up in difficult times, and enjoying every part of it.”
Argentina fans take over NYC
Times Square was renamed Buenos Aires as fans of Argentina he created a “sea of blue and white” before reaching the end.
The Cape Verdean Treaty
Pre-final, fans highlight Cape Verde’s connection.
Cape Verde became the only team that neither the finalists, Spain nor Argentina, managed to beat in regulation time.
The island nation of around 530,000 people impressed Spain in the group stage before pushing Argentina to the last 32, forcing extra time after an impressive 2-2 draw. Argentina eventually won 3-2, but Cape Verde left the tournament as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Netanyahu announces aid to Argentina
Argentina’s ambassador to Israel has presented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a football jersey ahead of the World Cup. Netanyahu said he supports Argentina and has a good relationship with the country’s leader, Javier Milei.
