World Cup 2026 · Day 39
Final day: Spain meet holders Argentina at MetLife today, with the World Cup's first live halftime show and the Golden Boot both on the line
The 2026 World Cup final kicks off today, Sunday 19 July at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium, with Spain, unbeaten and never trailing a minute, facing holders Argentina, who have won all five knockout ties. The night stages the tournament's first live halftime show, while Kylian Mbappe leads the Golden Boot race on ten goals after scoring twice against England, two clear of Lionel Messi, who can still catch him in today's final. England took third place in Miami on Saturday. Five verified stories.
19 July 2026 · WorldCuply.com daily news archive
Final TodayKickoff today: Spain face holders Argentina at MetLife at 3 p.m. ET, with about 82,000 expected
The 2026 World Cup final kicks off today, Sunday 19 July at 3 p.m. ET (19:00 GMT) at MetLife Stadium, with roughly 82,000 fans expected, per ESPN, FIFA and Al Jazeera. Spain arrive unbeaten and, previews note, never trailing for a single minute across the tournament, having beaten France 2-0 in the semi-final. Holders Argentina have won all five knockout ties, most recently a 2-1 comeback over England, and are bidding for back-to-back titles. The match airs on Fox and Telemundo in the United States.
Sources: ESPN · FIFA · Al Jazeera
Halftime ShowA World Cup first: today's final stages the tournament's first live halftime show, headlined by Shakira, BTS and Coldplay's Chris Martin
Today's final at MetLife Stadium hosts the first live halftime show in World Cup history, a roughly 11 minute performance curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and produced with the nonprofit Global Citizen, per FIFA, Al Jazeera and Music Times. Billed performers include Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber and Burna Boy, alongside conductor Gustavo Dudamel and New York's PS22 Chorus. FIFA says the show sits within the final's broader closing ceremony.
Sources: FIFA · Al Jazeera · Music Times
Golden BootMbappe leads on ten after scoring twice against England; Messi can still catch him in today's final
Kylian Mbappe leads the Golden Boot race on ten goals after scoring twice in France's 4-6 third-place defeat to England, moving two clear of Lionel Messi on eight, per ESPN, Fox Sports and Goal. Messi still has today's final to play: FIFA's tiebreaker ranks players by goals, then assists, then fewest minutes, so if Messi scores twice to draw level on ten he takes the award on assists (four to three). Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal is next on five.
Sources: ESPN · Fox Sports · Goal
Third PlaceEngland take bronze: England beat France in Saturday's third place playoff in Miami
England secured third place at the 2026 World Cup by beating France in the bronze final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday 18 July, per FIFA's match centre and ESPN. Both sides reached the playoff after semi-final defeats, England 2-1 to Argentina and France 2-0 to Spain. The result gives England a podium finish, while France, semi-finalists again, leave without a medal a day before the Spain against Argentina final.
Sources: FIFA · ESPN
StorylineA clash of eras and holders: Messi's 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 ESPN, Goal and Al Jazeera. It also pairs the European champions, Spain, against the Copa America holders, Argentina. Spain are chasing a first World Cup title since 2010, while Argentina are bidding to become the first side to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
Sources: ESPN · Goal · Al Jazeera