- Final set. Spain meet Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, in a match between the 2010 champions and the reigning title holders.
- Historic field. For the first time since FIFA introduced its world rankings in 1992, all four of the top-ranked teams — Argentina, Spain, France, and England — reached the semi-finals of a single tournament.
- Messi factor. Lionel Messi set up both Argentine goals in a 2–1 comeback against England, though he did not score himself, leaving Sunday as a potential final chapter to football’s most decorated career.
Two semi-finals played on back-to-back evenings confirmed what the bracket had suggested for weeks: the 2026 World Cup final will be contested by its two best teams.
Spain dismantle France
On July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Spain produced one of the tournament’s most complete performances, defeating France 2–0. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal inside the box. Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the 58th minute, combining with Dani Olmo before side-footing past Mike Maignan. France — ranked third in the world and unbeaten in the group stage — had no answer for Spain’s pressing. The result sends Spain to their first World Cup final since their 2010 triumph in South Africa.
Argentina survive an English rally
The following day in Atlanta, Argentina trailed to Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal before Lionel Messi orchestrated one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes. In the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández drove home from outside the box off a short corner worked by Messi. Then, in stoppage time, Lautaro Martínez headed in a Messi cross to complete the turnaround and send Argentina through 2–1. It was the sixth time Messi has assisted a winner or equaliser in the knockout rounds of a World Cup, according to match reports.
The path to Sunday’s final has not been without close calls. Argentina scraped past Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks in the group stage, a performance that briefly raised questions about the defending champions’ form before they regained momentum in the knock-out rounds.
What Sunday’s match means
Argentina have not lost a competitive match since the 2022 Copa América final. Spain have conceded two goals across six matches in this tournament. At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on July 19. France and England play for third place earlier the same day at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Should Argentina win, they will become the first team to claim back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Should Spain prevail, they will match Brazil’s record of three titles.