World Cup 2026 · Day 37
Two days to the final: Spain go in as favourites against holders Argentina, with England and France meeting first for third place
With the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina set for Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium, previews cast Spain as favourites after a knockout run in which they conceded once, while Argentina chase back-to-back titles. England play France for third place in Miami on Saturday 18 July. Five verified stories.
17 July 2026 · WorldCuply.com daily news archive
Final PreviewSpain go into Sunday's final as favourites against holders Argentina, with about 82,000 expected at MetLife
Two days out, previews cast Spain as favourites for the 2026 World Cup final against holders Argentina at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July at 3 p.m. ET, with roughly 82,000 fans expected, per Central Jersey, Forbes and Yahoo Sports. Spain reached the final having conceded just once in the knockout rounds. Argentina, who beat England 2-1 in the semi-final, are chasing back-to-back titles, a feat managed only by Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962).
Sources: Central Jersey · Forbes · Yahoo Sports
Golden BallYamal, at 19, among the Golden Ball contenders after winning the penalty that sent Spain through against France
Spain's Lamine Yamal, 19, is in contention for the Golden Ball after winning the penalty that helped send Spain past France in the semi-final, per Goal and Fox Sports. A Ballon d'Or runner-up and back-to-back Kopa Trophy winner, Yamal has led the tournament in dribbling despite a mixed run following a pre-tournament hamstring problem. He would need a big final to overhaul Argentina's Lionel Messi in the award race.
Sources: Goal · Fox Sports
StorylineA clash of eras and holders: Messi's likely last World Cup against Yamal, European champions against Copa America holders
The final is billed as a meeting of generations, with 39-year-old Lionel Messi, in what he has said is his last World Cup, facing 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, per Central Jersey, The Rio Times and Yahoo Sports. It also pairs the European champions, Spain, against the Copa America holders, Argentina. Spain are chasing a first title since 2010; Argentina are bidding to become the first side to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
Sources: Central Jersey · The Rio Times · Yahoo Sports
Team NewsMessi fit after his Switzerland knock; Spain report no new injuries with Nico Williams back
Lionel Messi is expected to be fit for the final after taking a knock in Argentina's quarter-final against Switzerland, having played the full 120 minutes, per Football365 and Sports Mole. On the other side, Spain report no new injury concerns, with Nico Williams back after an earlier tournament setback and Mikel Oyarzabal leading their scoring with five goals, per Forbes.
Sources: Football365 · Sports Mole · Forbes
ScheduleEngland meet France for third place in Miami on Saturday 18 July, live on Fox and Telemundo in the US and the BBC in the UK
England will face France in the third-place match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday 18 July at 5 p.m. ET (10 p.m. BST), per England Football, tempo.co and Yahoo Sports. In the US the game airs on Fox (English) and Telemundo (Spanish); in the UK it streams on the BBC. Both went out in the semi-finals, England 2-1 to Argentina and France 2-0 to Spain, a day before the final at MetLife.
Sources: England Football · tempo.co · Yahoo Sports