Overview
- The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will be played Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will decide whether Argentina retain the title or Spain win a second world crown.
- Lionel Messi is widely expected to make his final World Cup appearance, giving the match added emotional weight for Argentina and their supporters.
- England secured third place with a 6-4 win over France in Miami, a match in which Kylian Mbappé scored twice to become the World Cup's all-time top scorer with 22 goals.
- Spain arrive having conceded just one goal in seven matches, a defensive record that underpins their run to the final and contrasts with Argentina's late comebacks, including a dramatic semi-final recovery against England.
- Organizers and health officials are monitoring heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires that has degraded air quality in the New York–New Jersey area and could affect fan safety, travel and match-day operations.