World Cup 2026 · Day 36
The final is set: Spain meet defending champions Argentina at MetLife on 19 July, after Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1
Argentina reached a second straight World Cup final on Wednesday, overturning England 2-1 in Atlanta through late Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez headers, both from Lionel Messi crosses. They meet Spain, who beat France 2-0, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July. Five verified stories.
16 July 2026 · WorldCuply.com daily news archive
FinalThe final is set: Spain face defending champions Argentina at MetLife on Sunday 19 July
The 2026 World Cup final pits Spain against holders Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday 19 July at 3 p.m. ET, per AP, ESPN and FIFA. Spain reached the final by beating France 2-0, while Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1. Argentina are chasing a fourth title and the chance to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil in 1958 and 1962; Spain are aiming for a second crown after 2010.
Sources: AP · ESPN · FIFA
Semi-finalArgentina rally past England 2-1 in Atlanta, with late Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez headers from Messi crosses
Defending champions Argentina reached the final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday 15 July, per NBC News, ESPN and Yahoo Sports. Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernandez equalised with a header in the 85th and Lautaro Martinez headed the winner in stoppage time, both from Lionel Messi crosses. It was the first World Cup meeting between the two in 21 years.
Sources: NBC News · ESPN · Yahoo Sports
Final PreviewMessi against Yamal: the final pairs a 39-year-old great with a 19-year-old star, and Spain carry a 37-match unbeaten run
Sunday's final pits Lionel Messi, at 39 playing what he has said is his last World Cup, against 19-year-old Lamine Yamal and Spain, per AP and Al Jazeera. Spain take a 37-match unbeaten run across all competitions into the final, their last defeat coming against Colombia in March 2024. Argentina are unbeaten in their last 13 World Cup matches since losing to Saudi Arabia to open the 2022 group stage.
Sources: AP · Al Jazeera
Golden BootMessi and Mbappe tied on 8 goals going into the final, with Messi ahead on the assists tiebreaker
The Golden Boot could be decided this weekend, with Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe level on 8 goals each, per ESPN and AP. Messi holds the tiebreaker with more assists (four). Mbappe pipped Messi to the award with a hat-trick in the 2022 final, and he can still add to his tally in the third-place match on 18 July before Messi plays the final on 19 July.
Sources: ESPN · AP
ScheduleEngland meet France in the third-place match in Miami on Saturday 18 July, a day before the final
England will face France in the third-place match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday 18 July at 5 p.m. ET, per England Football, Fox Sports and GiveMeSport. Both went out in the semi-finals, England 2-1 to Argentina and France 2-0 to Spain. The World Cup final follows at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July.
Sources: England Football · Fox Sports · GiveMeSport