Overview
- FIFA has confirmed the final between Spain and Argentina will be played at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and more than 80,000 fans expected inside the venue.
- Argentina enter as the defending champions seeking a rare successive title and will lean on Lionel Messi, who leads the tournament scoring and is widely expected to play what may be his final World Cup match.
- Spain arrive as tournament favourites based on an almost impenetrable defence that has conceded one goal in seven matches and a 37‑match unbeaten run.
- Organisers have finalised the entertainment lineup: Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem in the pre‑game ceremony, Post Malone will headline the closing ceremony, and an expanded halftime show will include Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber.
- Local and World Cup officials are closely monitoring degraded air quality from Canadian wildfires, have issued contingency guidance for fans, and set up large public watch parties and broad TV distribution on Fox, Telemundo and Peacock.