Spain vs Argentina: World Cup final set for MetLife Stadium

Spain and Argentina will contest the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday, July 19, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time — 3pm local.

The fixture pits the reigning champions against a Spain side that has reached the showpiece without conceding in the knockout rounds, and gives Lionel Messi the chance to claim back-to-back world titles after Argentina's win in Qatar in 2022.

How both sides got there

Spain booked their place by beating France 2-0 in the semi-finals, having earlier seen off Belgium 2-1 in the last eight. France had come through their quarter-final against Morocco 2-0 before falling short against the Spanish.

Argentina's route was harder fought. They came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the other semi-final, after an extra-time win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals. England's tournament ended with a 6-4 defeat to France in the third-place play-off.

• Final: Spain vs Argentina at MetLife Stadium, New York
• Kick-off: 8pm UK time, 3pm local
• Spain beat France 2-0 in the semi-finals
• Argentina beat England 2-1 after coming from behind
• Messi is seeking a second successive World Cup title

Conditions and venue

MetLife Stadium, the home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets, has a listed capacity of 82,500 and was confirmed as the final's venue in 2024. The forecast at kick-off is for temperatures around 28C with a chance of thundery showers, conditions that could force a delay or an interruption to play.

The match is expected to be shown free-to-air in the UK on BBC and ITV, with streaming available through iPlayer and ITVX.

Sunday's final closes a tournament that has drawn global attention, with organisers and broadcasters anticipating an audience comparable to the 2022 showpiece. For Spain, it is a first final appearance in this cycle; for Argentina, a chance to defend the trophy and extend Messi's international career with another major honour.