Spain and Argentina Face Off in 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium
10 verified4 unconfirmed2 contested
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina is set for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with streaming available on Fox One and Peacock. Argentina enters as the defending champion, having won the 2022 World Cup, while Spain seeks its second title and Argentina its fourth. A star-studded closing ceremony will precede the match, featuring performances by Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams, and influencer IShowSpeed, along with an appearance by Tom Cruise. Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem, and the first-ever World Cup final halftime show will include Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. Spain enters the match as the betting favorite.
What’s verified
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina takes place on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT.
The match airs on Fox (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), and streams on Fox One and Peacock.
Argentina is the defending champion, having won the 2022 World Cup.
Spain is seeking its second World Cup title; Argentina seeks its fourth.
A closing ceremony precedes the match with performances by Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed, plus an appearance by Tom Cruise.
Jennifer Hudson performs the U.S. national anthem before the match.
The halftime show features Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber.
Streaming services offering the match include DirecTV (five-day free trial), Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV.
Spain is the betting favorite entering the final.
Where accounts differ
Closing ceremony start time: One source reports it at 1:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT, while another reports 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT. The Pacific Time times differ.
Closing ceremony headliner: One source lists Post Malone as the headliner of the closing ceremony; another source does not mention Post Malone.
Not yet confirmed
One source states the halftime show was curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin; no other source confirms this.
One source lists numerous celebrities expected to attend, including Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Timothée Chalamet, and others; not corroborated elsewhere.
Detailed game strategy analysis (e.g., set piece statistics, player matchups) appears only in one source.
Comprehensive betting odds for individual awards (Golden Boot, Golden Ball, etc.) appear only in one source.
Key figures
Lionel Messi (Argentina forward), Rodri (Spain midfielder), Jennifer Hudson (performer), Nicole Scherzinger (performer), Laura Pausini (performer), Robbie Williams (performer), IShowSpeed (influencer), Tom Cruise (actor), Madonna (halftime performer), Shakira (halftime performer), BTS (halftime performers), Justin Bieber (halftime performer), Lionel Scaloni (Argentina coach), Emiliano Martinez (Argentina goalkeeper), Unai Simon (Spain goalkeeper), Lamine Yamal (Spain forward)
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, CBS Sports
