Spain substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to give his team a 1-0 win over defending champion Argentina in the .
was absolutely dominant in terms of possession and shot attempts. Lionel Messi and found a way to hang on and force extra time 鈥� but barely.
And in the opening moment of the second 15-minute period of extra time, Torres pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Messi weeps
Tears rolled down Lionel Messi鈥檚 cheeks as he turned toward Argentina fans after receiving his World Cup runner-up medal.
After shaking hands with President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Messi stood in front of thousands of Argentina fans still in the stands.
Trump keeps himself in the victory shot as Spain celebrates
President Trump helped hand the World Cup trophy to Spain players assembled for their victory photo, and then remained directly at their side as they jumped up and down in celebration.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino walked alongside Trump to deliver the award and then moved out of view of cameras. Trump hung closer, smiling as the team hoisted the trophy.
Trump takes the field for awards ceremony
President Trump walked onto the pitch with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and stood on a platform to hand out awards.
Alongside Trump were Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who also helped distribute awards.
Trump shook hands with players and congratulated them as they walked across the platform.
Goal scorer Ferran Torres says victory was for all of Spain
鈥淚 just want to lift that Cup and press it really hard. This is a dream of 47 million people who were on this pitch today, so I think we all deserved this and we broke our back,鈥� Torres said.
Spain coach: 鈥榃e are world champions鈥�
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is already looking to the future.
鈥淲e are world champions. I am very proud, very happy for my players,鈥� de la Fuente said through an interpreter. 鈥淲e closed a very important chapter. … This team has a long way to go. We are already thinking what is coming next.鈥�
Messi and Yamal embrace
Shortly after the match ended, Argentina star Lionel Messi was sitting on the field as Spain players celebrated. He then got up when 19-year-old Spain forward Lamine Yamal approached him and they shared a handshake and a hug.
Fans in Buenos Aires are upbeat and defiant after loss
Argentine fans in Buenos Aires remained upbeat even after their team鈥檚 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Crowds at the Obelisk in the Argentine capital set off fireworks and flares. Drivers honked their horns with defiant enthusiasm and people waved Argentine flags.
A tense match spills over into Spain鈥檚 celebration
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was held back by a Spain player while appearing to shout at someone moments after the final whistle. Leandro Paredes also shoved Spain鈥檚 Eric Garc铆a and Gavi, and Nicolas Otamendi exchanged words with a few Spanish players, including Rodri.
Argentina fans dejected as they leave stadium
Argentina fans are streaming out of the stadium with looks of genuine shock and dejection as Spain fans dressed in red remain in the stands dancing, cheering and waving flags.
Ferran Torres delivers Spain鈥檚 winning goal in extra time
Spain dominated the match with its ball-control offense but couldn鈥檛 find the breakthrough goal until the 106th minute. Spain won its second World Cup title.
The loss may be the end of Argentina star Lionel Messi鈥檚 World Cup career. The 39-year-old maestro could do little to influence the match as Spain鈥檚 defense smothered him most of the day, or simply kept the ball away from his feet.
FINAL: Spain 1, Argentina 0
Spain has won its second World Cup. La Roja also won the title in 2010. This time, Spain denied Lionel Messi and Argentina a second consecutive championship.
Spain finally breaks the deadlock
Spain鈥檚 Ferran Torres smashed the ball past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Mart铆nez for his first goal of the World Cup to make it 1-0 in the 106th minute. Nico Williams had kept a long cross in play when he headed the ball toward Torres in front of the goal. It was Spain鈥檚 20th shot of the match.
Torres was a substitute in the 62nd minute by coach Luis de la Fuente.
Spain 1, Argentina 0
Ferran Torres scores in the 106th minute.
Argentina and Spain reach the midway point of extra time
The World Cup final has 15 more minutes of extra time, plus however much stoppage time after that, before Spain and Argentina go to penalty kicks to decide the championship if neither team scores. Spain still has the edge with 11 players to 10, and has 19 shots to Argentina鈥檚 zero, but it remains goalless.
Extra time substitutions
Spain sent in Mart铆n Zubimendi for Rodri and Eric Garc铆a for Aymeric Laporte in the 99th minute.
Argentina subbed defender Marcos Senesi for Juli谩n 脕lvarez in the 102nd, playing more defensively while down to 10 men. Spain would want to avoid a penalty shootout after dominating most of the game.
Spain goal nullified by a foul
It looked like Spain had scored in extra time, when Nico Williams finally put the ball into Argentina鈥檚 net. But the referee ruled that Mikel Merino stepped on one of Nicol谩s Otamendi鈥檚 feet prior to the goal, prompting a foul call.
Fourth scoreless World Cup final at 90-minute mark
Three previous World Cup finals were scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation time: Brazil against Italy in 1994, Spain against the Netherlands in 2010 and Germany against Argentina in 2014. Only the 1994 final remained scoreless after extra time, and Brazil won the penalty shootout.
Extra time at the World Cup
Argentina and Spain are scoreless after regulation. Spain has been the dominant side but has yet to find its way past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Now comes two 15-minute periods of extra time. If the game is still undecided, it will go to penalty kicks.
Argentina won the 2022 World Cup on penalty kicks against France. Spain鈥檚 2010 title came on a goal in the 116th minute. Argentina is down to 10 players after a late red card to Enzo Fern谩ndez.
Argentina down to 10 after Fern谩ndez red card
Argentina was down to 10 men after Enzo Fern谩ndez was shown a yellow card in stoppage time, his second of the game. That means an automatic red card and ejection. Fern谩ndez had scored the tying goal in Argentina鈥檚 semifinal win over England.
Time is running out
Spain and Argentina have reached stoppage time in the World Cup final that remains scoreless. There are four minutes on the board. If neither team scores, there will be 30 minutes of extra time in two 15-minute increments.
Frustration yellow card for Argentina
Midfielder Enzo Fern谩ndez was upset that he didn鈥檛 get a foul call and was booked for dissent with the referee.
Oyarzabal exits soon after missed chance
Spain鈥檚 leading World Cup scorer was subbed out after a missed opportunity.
Coach Luis de la Fuente took out Mikel Oyarzabal a few minutes after Oyarzabal made a nice pass to Fabi谩n Ruiz inside Argentina鈥檚 box but then stopped running. Had Oyarzabal followed his pass, Ruiz had laid it off for what would have been a good scoring opportunity.
Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot against France in the semifinals, his fifth goal of the tournament.
Spain鈥檚 subs include Merino
Spain putting Nico Williams and Mikel Merino into the game adds some potential scoring punch. Merino has scored two late go-ahead goals in this tournament.
Williams is on for midfielder 脕lex Baena, and Merino is on for midfielder Dani Olmo.
Argentina makes final substitutions after break
After a series of corner kicks for Spain, Rodrigo De Paul got a header on net, only to be denied by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Mart铆nez in the 67th minute. The second-half hydration break followed with the score still 0-0.
After the break, Argentina forward Giuliano Simeone exited for defender Rodrigo De Paul and defender Facundo Medina was subbed out for defender Cristian Romero in 70th minute.
Spain makes its first changes in 62nd minute
Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored in the semifinal against France, has been replaced by Ferran Torres. And Fabi谩n Ruiz came out for Pedri. The chess match is taking shape as the teams try to break a scoreless draw. Argentina has yet to take a shot.
Argentina continues making moves
Another sub for Argentina in the 58th minute. Defender Nahuel Molina is on for defender Gonzalo Montiel. That鈥檚 the third of five substitutions available to coach Lionel Scaloni and it comes as Spain continues to press the attack in Argentina鈥檚 end.
Another Argentina yellow card
Leandro Paredes, who just came on at the start of the second half, was shown a yellow card in the 52nd minute. It came after a testy confrontation and a shove on Spain鈥檚 Dani Olmo while a Spain player was down on the field.
Not much offense
There were just three total shots in the first half. That鈥檚 the fewest in the first half of a World Cup final since records are available dating to 1966, according to Opta. Argentina became the second team with no shots in the opening half of a World Cup final since the records started, after France in 2022.
Another change for Argentina
Midfielder Leandro Paredes is on for forward Nico Gonz谩lez to start the second half. That鈥檚 two subs now for Argentina. It has three left.
Second half begins
The second half of the World Cup final has begun after a break of a little over 27 minutes. Argentina and Spain remain scoreless.
Halftime adjustments?
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has some halftime adjustments he could make after Spain controlled roughly 65% of the possession and had three shots on net and another scoring chance.
Giving Nicol谩s Tagliafico some help might be a good start after the defender struggled to stay in front of and contain Lamine Yamal, the 19-year-old who many think will eventually supplant Lionel Messi as the world鈥檚 best player. Argentina has zero shots of any kind, so generating more offense is also on the docket.
Spain鈥檚 coach isn鈥檛 worried about long halftime
The longer-than-usual halftime came up at Spain鈥檚 news conference on Friday. Coach Luis de la Fuente brought up how he talked to players and staff about all the peculiarities of the tournament and how they would not be affected.
鈥淓veryone鈥檚 proud of being here,鈥� de la Fuente said. 鈥淓verything that we consider to be strange or odd nowadays 鈥� hydration breaks, this 30-minute halftime 鈥� maybe within 30 years will become normality. Maybe football is developing that way. We don鈥檛 know. It is what it is. This is the situation we have. We need to adapt, and we need to accept those things that you cannot change. We can鈥檛 change that, so we鈥檒l have to enjoy it.鈥�
Is this the last time we鈥檒l hear 鈥楧ai Dai鈥�?
The song from Shakira and Burna Boy has played before all 104 kickoffs at the World Cup. The duo, who also performed at the opening ceremony in Mexico, performed it live during the halftime show.
BTS, Bieber and Ted Lasso appear at halftime
Played in by an homage to Norway鈥檚 rowing tradition, BTS performed 鈥淒ynamite.鈥� Up next, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in character as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard hyped up Justin Bieber, who sang 鈥淓verything Hallelujah鈥� with an acoustic guitar.
Madonna leads off halftime show
The first halftime show at a World Cup final started with Madonna flanked by former Brazil stars Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
They gave way to a rendition of The White Stripes鈥� 鈥淪even Nation Army,鈥� performed by several Muppets and an orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Scoreless at halftime
Spain has controlled the ball and the tempo, and has put the clamps on Argentina and Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old star has had few creative chances on the ball.
Argentina may feel lucky to not be down a goal. Goalkeeper Emiliano Mart铆nez made two saves for Argentina. Spain鈥檚 Lamine Yamal had the best chance for a goal in the opening minutes.
Argentina has already made a substitution, with Nicol谩s Otamendi coming on for defender Lisandro Mart铆nez just before halftime.
Argentina鈥檚 Lisandro Mart铆nez exits late in the first half
Minutes after getting a yellow card, Lisandro Mart铆nez is out of the game because of an injury. Argentina made the substitution late in the first half, bringing in experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Argentina鈥檚 Mart铆nez gets the first yellow card
Argentina鈥檚 Lisandro Mart铆nez received the game鈥檚 first yellow card for a late tackle of Mikel Oyarzabal near midfield in the 41st minute.
Argentina fans come alive
With Argentina in the attacking half of the field for one of just a few times so far, its fans started singing again. The joy was short-lived, as Spain quickly recovered and went the other way.
Matt Damon at the World Cup final after big 鈥極dyssey鈥� weekend
Matt Damon was in the stadium on a weekend when his film opened with a colossal global box office total of $264.1 million.
He was with his wife Luciana Damon, who was clad in the colors of her native Argentina.
Will Ferrell, Pharrell Williams, Mick Jagger and Adrien Brody were among the other stars in the crowd.
Hydration time
The match reached the first-half hydration break past the 23-minute mark, with no goals from Argentina or Spain. The Argentina fans who were loud and rambunctious before the game have been quieted a bit by Spain controlling much of the possession and having two corner kicks. Lionel Messi has touched the ball just six times.
Spain dominates the first 15-plus minutes
With the exception of a few plays, Spain is dominating. Lionel Messi got taken down and took a free kick for Argentina, but this has been the Lamine Yamal show early on. The 19-year-old budding star put a shot on goal and created another scoring chance.
Trump gets a close look at the World Cup trophy
The World Cup trophy was shown to President Donald Trump as he watched the game in a suite. Video footage showed Trump smiling and patting the gold trophy as someone held it up to him.
It鈥檚 not his first time seeing the trophy. FIFA president Gianni Infantino brought it to the Oval Office during a White House visit last year.
Argentina fans applaud big save
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Mart铆nez turning aside Spain鈥檚 Lamine Yamal in the fifth minute happened right in front of the biggest contingent of Argentina fans, who make up at least 70% of the crowd. The back-and-forth cheering and singing from Argentina and Spain fans has stopped only for yells and groans for fouls and that save.
Spanish Brass and Maria Becerra perform national anthems
Spanish Brass, a horn quintet that has played since 1989, performed the Spanish national anthem, known as 鈥淟a Marcha Real.鈥�
Argentine pop singer Maria Becerra sang her nation鈥檚 anthem with a loud sing-along accompaniment from the audience.
Other than the opening ceremonies in each host country, the national anthems before kickoff have been piped in, with players and fans supplying the lyrics. For the final, the anthems went live.
The World Cup final has started
The match is underway. Argentina and 39-year-old Lionel Messi are facing Spain and 19-year-old Lamine Yamal to decide the World Cup champion.
Robbie Williams and Tom Cruise bring the pregame pomp
Robbie Williams performed his World Cup-themed anthem 鈥淒esire,鈥� wearing a blue bedazzled track suit. He was joined by Pussycat Dolls member and Italian singer Laura Pausini.
Tom Cruise followed them with a speech. He wore a polo shirt and jeans.
鈥淭oday only two teams remain, Espa帽a! y Argentina!鈥� Cruise said. 鈥淟et us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together.”
Fans dash across highways to get to World Cup final
World Cup fans were strongly urged not to walk to MetLife Stadium. Some did it anyway.
Videos being on social media showed groups of fans dashing across a multi-lane highway in between speeding cars near the venue in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The stadium is located across the Hudson River from Manhattan in a marshland known as the Meadowlands that is largely inaccessible to pedestrians.
World Cup organizers advised those attending matches not to attempt walking to the stadium. Fans were told to use mass transit, including special shuttle buses and trains.
Why children escort the players onto the field
You鈥檝e seen them at every match. They walk onto the field before the game, often holding hands with some of the biggest stars in the sport like Argentina鈥檚 and Spain鈥檚 Lamine Yamal.
The tradition has been an official part of the World Cup since 2002 when FIFA partnered with UNICEF to promote children鈥檚 rights to healthy recreation and quality education.
When the program was launched, FIFA said the children on the pitch are supposed to remind soccer enthusiasts they have a major role to play in building the world for future generations.
The children at the matches in the U.S. were chosen through a partnership between sponsor Quaker Oats and Common Goal, a collective of soccer-based community organizations across the country.
Trump booed at the end of the anthem
President Donald Trump was shown on video screens at the stadium, prompting boos from fans in attendance. Trump appeared at the end of the U.S. national anthem.
Jennifer Hudson sings the US national anthem
Jennifer Hudson sang the U.S. national anthem. The Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner wore a white suit with red, white and blue trim. She stood in front of a bank of flags of the world, singing a cappella at first before she was joined by a brass band.
Ticket prices drop in final hours
Tickets to the World Cup final, which were selling for tens of thousands of dollars, dropped to as low as $2,334.50 in the hours before the game on FIFA鈥檚 resale site. FIFA still had list price tickets on sale the morning of the game for $10,990.
Spain is favored to win
Argentina is the defending champion and has Lionel Messi, but Spain is the favorite to lift the World Cup trophy at -165. That means bettors would have to risk $165 to win $100. Anyone who likes Argentina to win in regulation time can get it at 5-2 odds.
President Trump is expected to present the World Cup trophy to the winner
The U.S. president this week called the 2026 World Cup 鈥渢he most successful sports even, maybe in the history of the world,鈥� heading into its final weekend.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum, whose country was co-host of the tournament with the U.S. and Canada, said she will also attend the final at Trump鈥檚 invitation.
Sheinbaum did not attend the World Cup鈥檚 opening match in Mexico City, when her national team 2-0. Instead, she gave her ticket to a young Indigenous woman.
Spain鈥檚 King Felipe VI is also expected to attend. said he won鈥檛 attend because of superstition, and will watch the match from home.
Loud cheers for Spain 鈥� and louder for Argentina
Players are on the field for pregame warmups, and it鈥檚 clear who has the crowd advantage. Spain got loud applause when La Roja got introduced. Then it was thunderous applause when Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates ran out of the tunnel. Most of the lower bowl is full with more than a half-hour till kickoff.
Trump wants the World Cup back in the US soon
Donald Trump has a message for FIFA President Gianni Infantino: Bring the World Cup back to the U.S.
鈥淚 had a great idea for Gianni: You have to do two countries. Announce us again next time, and then announce another country after that. It鈥檒l take out some of the anger and the shock,鈥� Trump said on Fox Sports. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a great idea. Based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately. … We have to do this again, and we have to do it while I鈥檓 around. You hear that, Gianni?鈥�
Trump flies over the stadium
The presidential helicopter, Marine One, flew over the stadium hosting the World Cup final, heralding the arrival of President Donald Trump.
The flyover of MetLife Stadium occurred roughly an hour before kickoff. Trump was given 10 tickets to the match by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
No changes to Spain lineup
Spain made no changes to its starting lineup for the final, sticking with the squad that beat France in the semifinals. That includes 19-year-old Lamine Yamal.
Unai Sim贸n is in goal behind defenders Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubars铆 and Marc Cucurella. In midfield are Fabi谩n Ruiz, 脕lex Baena and Rodri. At forward are Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo.
As the ball bounces: The final match could be a kick in the grass
The for the final at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is grass with synthetic fibers stitched in to reduce the risk of divots and tears. It has drawn mixed reviews from players through the first seven tournament games played there.
Stadium staff has had nearly two weeks to get it in the best condition possible for Sunday鈥檚 final. Neither Spain nor Argentina have played on it yet.
Teams in previous matches have said the field plays fast, but also called it hard and rigid and could be good for teams, like Spain, who like to possess the ball.
Some liked it better when it got wet. The area around the stadium was notably pelted by rain storms on Saturday.
Argentina鈥檚 lineup features three changes for final
Argentina鈥檚 lineup for the final features Emiliano Mart铆nez in goal behind defenders Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Mart铆nez and Nicol谩s Tagliafico; midfielders Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fern谩ndez, Alexis Mac Allister and Nico Gonz谩lez; and forwards Lionel Messi and Juli谩n 脕lvarez.
The changes from the semifinal win over England are Montiel for Nahuel Molina on the back line and De Paul for Giuliano Simeone and Gonzales for Leandro Paredes in midfield.
Trump says it鈥檚 鈥榟ard to bet against Messi鈥�
In an interview with Fox, President Donald Trump was asked to predict a winner between Spain and Argentina. He hedged on that, but seemed enamored with Argentina star Lionel Messi.
鈥淚 would say it鈥檚 hard to bet against Messi,鈥� Trump said, noting Messi鈥檚 assist on Argentina鈥檚 winning goal in the semifinal against England.
鈥淭he pass was exactly perfect,鈥� Trump said. 鈥淚 won鈥檛 pick sides 鈥� It鈥檚 just hard to bet against Messi.鈥�
Spain embraces its 鈥楢nd why not?鈥� motto
Entering the World Cup final against Argentina, Spain鈥檚 soccer federation has released motivational videos on social media promoting the motto 鈥溌縔 por qu茅 no?鈥� — 鈥淎nd why not?鈥�
The phrase refers to the answer given by defender Aymeric Laporte after a reporter asked him during the 2022 World Cup whether Spain could win the tournament.
The federation released a video with players who helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010 all saying the phrase repeatedly. Another video mentions the motto while showing people wearing Spain鈥檚 jersey around New York to the beat of the song 鈥淓mpire State of Mind鈥� by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
New Jersey governor has no plans to meet with Trump
Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she does not expect to meet with President Donald Trump during the World Cup final. But she stressed that officials have a 鈥渞eally great鈥� plan to get the Republican president in and out of MetLife Stadium with as little disruption to fans as possible.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like the wedding is here after you鈥檝e had family in town for a week,鈥� she said about the anticipation for the game. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited, but also looking forward to some peace when they leave.鈥�
Sherrill said she鈥檚 rooting for Argentina and even she tried her hand at Spanish, saying it鈥檚 better than it was a few months ago but that it needed more work.
鈥淥r something like that,鈥� the governor said in English after tripping through her Spanish.
Former Spain player Capdevila allowed into US to watch the final
Former Spain defender Joan Capdevila has made it to the United States to watch the World Cup final after being denied authorization to travel a decade after playing in an exhibition game in Iran.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in an email to The Associated Press that it received a request to allow Capdevila into the country. It said it reviewed the request and Capdevila arrived in the U.S. on Sunday.
Capdevila had addressed President Donald Trump in a social media post, saying his application for visa-free entry was denied. He also sent a message to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and tagged the Spanish government鈥檚 ministry of sport in his post.
In 2010, Capdevila helped Spain win its only World Cup title, starting in the final against the Netherlands. He was also part of the team that won the 2008 European Championship.
Hundreds gather at Buenos Aires fan fest
As rain fell in Buenos Aires at midday, hundreds of Argentines gathered ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.
At the FIFA Fan Festival in Plaza Francisco Seeber, songs by Argentine pop groups Bandana and Miranda! played over loudspeakers. Fans waved Argentine flags, painted their faces in the nation鈥檚 blue and white colors, and lined up early to secure a spot in front of the giant screen that will broadcast the match.
鈥淧eople are happy. It鈥檚 raining, but people are here together; with friends, with strangers, with foreigners,鈥� said Franco Pavalo, 21.
Shin Truong, 20, said the final carries greater significance because it鈥檚 expected to be the last World Cup appearance for 39-year-old Lionel Messi.
鈥淗e鈥檚 mythical,鈥� Truong said. 鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 ask for anything more from him.鈥�
Fans in Spain gather around big screens and inside Madrid arena
Big screens have been set up across Spanish cities for the World Cup final, with 20,000 people expected at the one installed at Plaza Colon in Madrid. About 15,000 fans were expected at the Madrid Rio location.
Similar viewing areas were set up in Barcelona and other cities. Fans in Madrid will also be able to watch the match at the Movistar Arena, where some 15,000 people were expected. Tickets were sold out in advance.
Excitement builds in Buenos Aires
Argentina鈥檚 capital, Buenos Aires, was at a near standstill Sunday morning.
Streets were adorned with blue-and-white flags. Cars were honking, announcing the arrival of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. Businesses were closed, as were museums, theaters and cinemas. Bars opened early.
It鈥檚 winter in the Southern Hemisphere, but fans gathered in the chilly wind and rain in parks and plazas around the city. Street vendors blew plastic horns and hawked jerseys and umbrellas with the name of superstar Lionel Messi.
Americans are still tuning into the World Cup despite the US team鈥檚 elimination
Even after the Americans were eliminated in the round of 16 against Belgium, viewership has remained strong in the U.S.
The was the most-watched World Cup game not involving the U.S. broadcast in English in the country鈥檚 history, according to Fox. The network said an average of more than 21.7 million tuned in to watch England鈥檚 3-2 victory in Mexico City on July 5.
The 2022 World Cup final 鈥� which was in Qatar 鈥� was viewed by a then-record 16.7 million.
Storms reduce choking hazards for players and fans
Meteorologists say the thunderstorms that passed through the New Jersey area should clear out the smoke from that left a haze over the Northeast U.S. for several days.
While experts say there could be some lingering smoke to make things a bit hazy Sunday, it will likely be faint and not cause the poor air quality warnings issued in recent days.
Temperatures are forecast to be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), with light breezes and low humidity for the start of the final.
The World Cup final will be played on turf with mixed reviews. Rain might help
Players and coaches have fielded a lot of questions about the pitch in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before and after there. Opinions have varied.
Brazil鈥檚 Vinicius Junior was not a fan. France coach Didier Deschamps called it special 鈥� and not in a good way. Norway鈥檚 St氓le Solbakken was asked several times about the surface before coaching his first game on it and came away more pleased about it than he expected.
While entirely different than the turf surface at the stadium that has been , the grass field with synthetic fibers stitched in to reduce the risk of divots and tears has drawn mixed reviews through the first seven games of the tournament there. After a nearly two-week break for staff to get it in the best condition possible, the most important game takes place there Sunday when Argentina and Spain meet in the final.
Neither team has played at the Meadowlands stadium yet, adding another element of uncertainty to the matchup.
鈻�
Lionel Messi once held baby Lamine Yamal in his arms. Now they will battle for the World Cup title
Almost two decades ago, photographer Joan Monfort didn鈥檛 think much of his photo shoot of a teenage in a plastic bathtub. Not until the remarkable twist of fate became clear years later, when that infant blossomed into .
Now those images of the long-haired Messi, his hands covered in soap suds as if anointing Yamal as soccer鈥檚 Next Big Thing, have become the most talked about 鈥� and gawked about 鈥� in the runup to Sunday鈥檚 final, when will play for the biggest trophy in the sport.
鈥淚 have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I am beginning to have my doubts. This is beyond all reasonable explanations,鈥� Monfort told The Associated Press from his home in Barcelona on Friday.
Monfort, who works as a freelance photojournalist for the AP, took the photos in 2007 as part of a charity calendar produced by local newspaper Sport and UNICEF.
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Biggest World Cup also means biggest pot of prize money
The tournament grew from 32 teams to 48 for the and the prize money hit record amounts as well.
FIFA says the winner of the Argentina-Spain final . That鈥檚 up from the $42 million paid to Argentina for winning the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The runner-up will get $34 million.
The total prize pool for the tournament staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada is $871 million, up from $440 million in 2022.
All 48 teams were guaranteed at least $12.5 million.
Messi and Argentina will face Yamal and Spain for the title
The best offense. The best defense.
The final will be a clash of styles. Lionel Messi 鈥� the most prolific goal scorer in the tournament鈥檚 history 鈥� and defending champion Argentina will take on Spain鈥檚 defensive juggernaut on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
in one semifinal on Tuesday; Argentina, the comeback king of this tournament, in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
Argentina is seeking its fourth title and is looking to become the first back-to-back World Cup champion since Brazil pulled off the feat in 1958 and 1962. Spain is looking for its second title, after winning in 2010.
Something will have to give on Sunday, when the biggest World Cup ever 鈥� a 48-team, 104-match extravaganza spread out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico 鈥� comes to an end.
It鈥檚 not . It鈥檚 going to be better.
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This story was updated to remove a quote mistakenly attributed to Lionel Messi that was actually coach Lionel Scaloni.
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