Spain are through. After dismantling France 2-0 in Dallas, La Roja became the first team confirmed for the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 3:00 PM ET. Their opponent will be decided today when England face Argentina in Atlanta. Here is everything we know about the world cup 2026 final preview so far.
The Basics
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM London / 9:00 PM Paris |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) |
| TV (English) | FOX (free over the air) |
| TV (Spanish) | Telemundo / Peacock |
| Confirmed finalist | Spain |
| Opponent | Winner of England vs Argentina (July 15) |
Spain’s Path to the Final
Spain’s tournament has been a masterclass in defensive organization and controlled attacking. Their results tell the story: a goalless draw with Cape Verde in the opener, followed by a 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia, a group-topping 1-0 win over Uruguay, a 3-0 quarterfinal rout of Austria via Belgium in the Round of 16, and the 2-0 semifinal shutdown of France. They have conceded just three goals in seven matches, and their expected goals against across the knockout rounds is under two combined. Lamine Yamal has been the tournament’s most exciting young player. Mikel Oyarzabal has been the clinical finisher with four goals. And the defense has been the best in the competition.
If England Win Today: Spain vs England
A Spain-England final would be a rematch of the Euro 2024 final, which Spain won 2-1. It would pit Yamal against Bellingham, two of the sport’s brightest young stars, on the biggest stage imaginable. England’s attacking depth, with Kane, Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka all available, would test Spain’s defensive discipline more severely than France did. The tactical chess between two well-coached European sides would likely produce a tight, strategic final.
If Argentina Win Today: Spain vs Argentina
A Spain-Argentina final would be a clash of styles and generations. Argentina’s tournament has been built around Messi’s individual brilliance, while Spain defend collectively and attack through their flanks. Messi vs Yamal, the 38-year-old and the 18-year-old, would be the generational narrative the world wants. And the question of whether Messi can win back-to-back World Cups, something no player has achieved since the 1960s, would hang over every minute.
The Halftime Show
For the first time in World Cup history, the final features a live halftime performance. Produced by Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the show is confirmed to feature Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. Whether you love or hate the Super Bowl-ification of the World Cup final, the spectacle will be enormous.
How to Watch for Free
FOX broadcasts the final free over the air in English, and Telemundo covers it in Spanish, streaming on Peacock. A basic antenna gets you the match in HD for zero cost. Our complete guide to every way to watch the World Cup in the USA covers all streaming and cable options. For venue details, transit, and arrival tips, see our full MetLife Stadium fan guide.
Before the Final: Third-Place Match
France and the loser of today’s semifinal meet in the third-place match on Saturday, July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, 5:00 PM ET on FOX. That match also affects the Golden Boot standings, which we track in our live Golden Boot race page.
This page will be updated with the confirmed opponent after today’s semifinal concludes. Check back tonight for the complete final matchup. All official information at FIFA.com.
