This is it. The world cup final today brings Spain and Argentina together at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kickoff at 3:00 PM ET on FOX. It is Messi’s last World Cup match, Yamal’s first World Cup final, the defending champion against the European champion, and the closing act of the biggest tournament in the sport’s history. Here is your last-minute guide.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| TV | FOX (English, free), Telemundo (Spanish, free) |
| Streaming | FOX Sports app, Peacock, Tubi |
| Anthem | Jennifer Hudson |
| Halftime show | Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber (curated by Chris Martin) |
| Closing ceremony | Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, IShowSpeed |
Updated Golden Boot Standings
Mbappe seized the all-time record and the Golden Boot lead yesterday with two goals against England. Messi needs three goals today to retake both.
| Player | Goals | Assists | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | 10 | 3 | Tournament over |
| Lionel Messi | 8 | 3 | Plays today |
| Erling Haaland | 7 | 0 | Eliminated |
| Jude Bellingham | 7 | 2 | Tournament over |
| Bukayo Saka | 6 | 1 | Tournament over |
The Storylines
Messi’s farewell. Almost certainly his final World Cup match. Win and he becomes the first player to win consecutive World Cups since Pele in 1958-62. His 21 career goals (now second to Mbappe’s 22) and eight this tournament have been extraordinary at age 38.
Yamal vs Messi. The 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy faces the 38-year-old legend in the matchup the world wanted. The famous baby photo from 2007 completes its fairy-tale arc today.
Spain’s defensive wall. Three goals conceded in seven matches. Can Argentina’s late-game magic, two stoppage-time winners in the knockouts, break through the tournament’s best defense?
Back-to-back champions? No team has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil 1958-62. Argentina are 90 minutes from history.
How to Watch Free
FOX and Telemundo are both free over the air with an antenna. No cable, no subscription, no paywall. Full streaming options in our how-to-watch guide. Full preview in our tactical breakdown. All details at FIFA.com.
Kickoff is at 3:00 PM ET. Do not miss this.
