The Argentina men’s national football team is set to take on Spain in the World Cup 2026 final on Sunday. The match will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and is set to kick off at 4 p.m. Argentina time.

The Albiceleste reaches the game having gone through a bumpy road. 

Despite a nearly flawless group stage, in which it beat Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0, and Jordan 3-1, with six goals by star and captain Lionel Messi, the knockout stages proved far more challenging.

An extra-time 3-2 win against Cape Verde in the round of 32 was followed by another 3-2 win  — this time in regulation — in the round of 16 against Egypt after coming from 2-0 down.

In the quarterfinals, Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1, where the team was overpowered for long stretches of the match.

It set up a semifinal duel against England, where the Albiceleste once again had to fight after going down, with goals by Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez in the 92nd to secure a historic result.

“When we’re against the odds, they play their best,” said head coach Lionel Scaloni after the match. “When that happens, and the rival hesitates, they smell blood and go all in.”

Spain’s road

One of the biggest favorites ahead of the tournament, Spain didn’t start the road to the 2026 World Cup final in the best way. 

A surprising 0-0 tie against Cape Verde saw head coach Luis De La Fuente’s team unable to break the deadlock, thanks to a memorable performance by goalkeeper Vozinha.

Things quickly improved with a 4-0 win against Saudi Arabia and a 1-0 victory in the last group stage game against Uruguay, thanks to a mistake by Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

La Roja showed its best game in a round of 32 3-0 victory over Austria at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The team dominated the match from start to finish, converting its overwhelming possession into goals.

They required a bigger effort in the round of 16 against Portugal, where only a 91st-minute effort by Mikel Merino saved De La Fuente’s team from going to extra time. 

In the quarterfinals, against Belgium, Merino once again secured the result for Spain with a 2-1 victory in the closing moments, thanks to a mistake by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

It set up a top-level duel between the two biggest European favorites, as Spain took on France. Despite the French team’s incredible performances in previous games, Spain dismantled its opponent, taking a well-earned 2-0 win.

A new prize at stake

The FIFA World Cup Trophy, commissioned in 1974 and designed by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga, is arguably the most coveted prize in all of sports. However, come the trophy ceremony on Sunday, the winners will also get another piece of silverware.

On Thursday, world football’s governing body FIFA announced that the winners will also receive custom-made championship rings for the first time in history.

According to FIFA, the idea brings an “iconic [United States] sporting tradition to global football.”

However, you won’t need to be in the World Cup-winning squad to get one. In addition to the 30 pieces of jewelry presented to the champions, 1,996 additional rings will be made available to fans worldwide as official licensed products.

According to FIFA, each of the 30 rings for the winners will then be ” customized before being officially presented at a later date” to ensure a “perfect lifelong fit for an achievement that will echo through eternity.”

Controversial halftime show

The rings won’t be the only U.S. sporting tradition making its way to the FIFA World Cup. For 2026, the traditional final opening ceremony ahead of the game will be joined by a halftime show.

The opening ceremony will take place at MetLife Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Argentina time, with performances by Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, Italian singer Laura Pausini, and former Pussycat Dolls singer and Broadway star Nicole Scherzinger.

The very first 30-minute Super Bowl-style halftime show will start at roughly 4:45 p.m. (Argentine time). FIFA President Infantino described it as “a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity that will resonate far beyond the final whistle.”

The show’s lineup includes Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and K-pop phenomenon BTS. Curated by Coldplay singer Chris Martin, the event will also feature Burna Boy, maestro Gustavo Dudamel conducting a combined symphony orchestra, the NYC PS22 Chorus, Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids, and characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets

The show will also act as a fundraiser, with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aiming to raise US$100 million for children’s education worldwide. All performers have waived their fees.

While the lineup is impressive, the show is likely to prove controversial. It is expected to last 20 to 30 minutes, double the time of a typical football halftime.