Spain and Argentina set for World Cup final in New Jersey
Spain and Argentina meet Sunday in East Rutherford, with Opta favoring Spain and attention on Messi, Yamal, smoke and the match referee.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
4 min read
Spain and Argentina will play for the men’s World Cup title Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in a final that pairs the defending champions with a Spain team rated as the pre-match favorite. Al Jazeera and The Associated Press reported that the match is scheduled for July 19 at 19:00 GMT at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The final has drawn attention beyond the matchup itself. According to Al Jazeera and AP, the build-up has included focus on Lionel Messi’s possible last World Cup, Spain teenager Lamine Yamal, air quality concerns in the New York area and the appointment of Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic.
Opta gives Spain the edge
According to Opta Analyst, Spain won the 2026 World Cup in 59.6 percent of 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Argentina retained the trophy in 40.4 percent. Opta’s model had Spain winning in 90 minutes in 45 percent of simulations, a draw after regulation in 29 percent and an Argentina win in normal time in 26 percent.
Al Jazeera and AP reported that Spain and Argentina have met only once before at a World Cup. Argentina beat Spain 2-1 in the group stage in 1966. Since 2000, Spain have won three of their four matches against Argentina, according to the same report.
Messi and Yamal frame the final
Al Jazeera and AP reported that fans have followed Messi’s final training session, the Golden Boot race and a widely shared image of Yamal as a baby with Messi. The story has fed discussion of a generational handover, with Yamal seeking to make his mark on the sport’s biggest stage.
Messi also posted a message on Instagram before the final thanking Argentina’s players, staff and supporters, according to Al Jazeera and AP. “The most beautiful thing about all these years was never just the titles, but the entire journey,” Messi wrote. “Sharing day-to-day life with this group, competing together, picking ourselves up in the difficult moments, and enjoying every step.”
Smoke and crowd plans
Smoke from wildfires in Canada covered parts of the northeastern United States during the week before the final and prompted health alerts, Al Jazeera and AP reported. A cold front expected over the weekend was forecast to help clear the haze before kickoff in the New York area.
More than 80,000 people are expected at the open-air stadium, and another 50,000 are expected to watch from Central Park in Manhattan, according to Al Jazeera and AP. New York authorities urged residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity and take additional breaks outside. On Thursday, several air quality platforms rated air in New Jersey as unhealthy for sensitive groups, the report said.
Vincic to referee
FIFA appointed Vincic, 46, to referee the final, making him the first Slovenian to handle a men’s World Cup final, Al Jazeera and AP reported. His previous major assignments include the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Vincic has worked three matches at this World Cup, showing seven yellow cards, one red card and awarding no penalties, according to the report. He will be assisted by Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, with Germany’s Bastian Dankert as VAR and Colombia’s Nicolas Gallo assisting in the video operations room.
Refereeing decisions involving Argentina have drawn scrutiny during the tournament, Al Jazeera and AP reported. After Egypt complained to FIFA following a 3-2 defeat by Argentina, FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officials, saying: “Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials.”
Vincic said he was emotional when he learned of the assignment at FIFA’s referees’ base in Miami. “First came the shock, then the happiness,” he said, according to Al Jazeera and AP. “I was shaking. Officiating a World Cup final is an incredible honour.”
Fans and late subplots
Al Jazeera and AP reported that Argentine supporters filled Times Square before the match, creating a blue-and-white gathering in central Manhattan. The report also noted renewed attention on Cape Verde, the only team neither finalist beat in regulation during the tournament.
Cape Verde drew with Spain in the group stage and took Argentina to extra time in the round of 32 after a 2-2 draw, before Argentina won 3-2, according to Al Jazeera and AP. Separately, Argentina’s ambassador to Israel gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an Argentina shirt before the final, and Netanyahu said he was supporting Argentina and had a strong relationship with President Javier Milei.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.