2026 FIFA World Cup final
2026 FIFA World Cup match
The final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the 23rd edition of the FIFA competition for men's national soccer teams—was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, part of the New York metropolitan area, on July 19, 2026. It was contested by Spain and defending champion Argentina.
The tournament was contested by hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, along with 45 other teams who emerged from the qualification phase, which was organized by the six FIFA confederations. The 48 teams competed in a group stage, from which 32 teams qualified for the knockout stage. En route to the final, Spain finished first in Group H with two wins and a draw, before defeating Austria in the round of 32, Portugal in the round of 16, Belgium in the quarterfinal, and France in the semifinal. Argentina finished first in Group J with three wins, after which it defeated Cape Verde in the round of 32, Egypt in the round of 16, Switzerland in the quarterfinal, and England in the semifinal. The final took place in front of 80,663 spectators, and was refereed by Slavko Vinčić of Slovenia.
Spain dominated possession and created numerous goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez repeatedly denying its offensive efforts. Argentina, reduced to ten players after Enzo Fernández was sent off in the second half, failed to register a single shot in regulation time, a first for a World Cup final. The goalless deadlock carried into extra time, during which Ferran Torres scored from a Nico Williams header to secure a 1–0 victory for Spain.
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