Spain vs. Argentina: What to expect at the World Cup final, from star performers to Trump's trophy presentation
The 2026 World Cup final will feature Spain and Argentina meeting on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain will be vying for its second World Cup title and first since they won in South Africa in 2010. Argentina has won the tournament three times, including four years ago in Qatar.
Here's what to expect when tuning in to the 2026 World Cup final.
What time does the Spain vs. Argentina World Cup final start? How to watch?
The match will begin at 3 p.m. ET, which is 4 p.m. in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and 8 p.m. in Madrid, Spain.
TV: Fox, FS1, Telemundo, Universo
Streaming: Fox One, Peacock
How did Spain and Argentina reach the World Cup final?
Argentina won Group J with a 3-0-0 record after defeating Algeria, Austria and Jordan to advance to the knockout stage for the sixth straight World Cup. The reigning champions had a nervy knockout round lead-in to the final, needing extra time to defeat debutants Cape Verde; pulling off a late multi-goal comeback to beat Egypt; topping Switzerland in another match with extra time; and then stunning England with two goals in the final minutes in the semifinal.
Lionel Messi scored in each of Argentina's first five matches and enters the World Cup final leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals, holding the tiebreaker over Kylian Mbappé thanks to his four assists.
After a scoreless draw with Cape Verde in its group opener, Spain rebounded with a pair of wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to win Group H. Goalkeeper Unai Simón's clean sheet streak continued through the knockout rounds as Spain eliminated Austria and Portugal before needing a late Mikel Merino goal to get past Belgium and reach the semifinals.
A complete effort against France helped Spain to a 2-0 win and a place in the final for the first time in 16 years.
Who is performing at the World Cup final halftime show?
For the first time ever, FIFA is putting on a halftime show during the final.
Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS will co-headline the halftime performance. Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS 22 Chorus and Coldplay will also take part in what FIFA originally dubbed an "11-minute broadcast."
FIFA is actually reportedly targeting the halftime show to last around 20 minutes. That is in conflict with the International Football Association Board rules, which state that halftime should not exceed 15 minutes, but "may be altered only with the referee's permission."
Expect the halftime break to be much longer than a usual match.
Who is performing at the World Cup final closing ceremony?
Unlike the Olympics, the World Cup closing ceremony will not mark the final moments of the tournament. Think of it more as like a pre-game show for the final.
Post Malone will perform approximately 90 minutes before Argentina and Spain kick off as part of a show that "will unite music, culture and football on the world's biggest stage," according to FIFA.
The closing ceremony will also see performances by Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed. Plus, movie star Tom Cruise will make an appearance.
The pomp and circumstance will end with Jennifer Hudson performing the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Why President Trump will be part of the World Cup trophy presentation
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has become very friendly with the United States leader in the years leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Last December, Trump was awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize during the tournament draw months after he appeared on stage as part of Chelsea's Club World Cup trophy presentation.
Trump will also be front and center on Sunday as Infantino has allowed the U.S. president to be on stage to help award the World Cup trophy to the winning captain.
It's not uncommon for heads of state to take part in trophy presentations. But it's usually the winning team that is given the stage to celebrate.
Trump has already involved himself in this World Cup after calling Infantino and asking FIFA to review the red card issued to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun during the Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The suspension was overturned and Balogun was available to play against Belgium in the Round of 16 defeat.
Who will host the 2030 World Cup?
The 24th World Cup will also mark the 100th anniversary of the original tournament. Uruguay hosted the first event in 1930, which featured 13 teams and the host nation winning it all. (The United States finished in third place.)
While the main hosts of the 2030 World Cup will be Morocco, Portugal and Spain, there will be three matches played in South America as part of the centenary celebration. Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, the site of the 1930 final, along with Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Estadio Osvaldo Domínguez Dibb in Asunción, Paraguay, will host the opening games.
Lisbon and Porto will be the host sites in Portugal; Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, Agadir, Fez, and Tangier will be the six cities in Morocco; and Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Zaragoza, Las Palmas, Valencia and Vigo will be the match locations in Spain.
As with all host nations, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Portugal and Spain will automatically qualify for the tournament.
