The biggest match in world football. Spain, the tournament’s most complete side and the team that has conceded once in seven games, against Argentina, the reigning champions with Lionel Messi playing what is almost certainly his last World Cup. Yamal vs Messi. One goal against. Nineteen goals for. A halftime show unlike anything the World Cup has ever staged. Everything you need — how to watch Spain vs Argentina, the kick-off time where you are, the line-ups and our prediction — is right here. The full tournament bracket is in our World Cup 2026 schedule.
Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET on Sunday, July 19 / 8:00 PM in the UK at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In Britain it is free on ITV1, with streaming on ITVX. In the US it is on Fox and FS1. This is a Super Bowl-style final, complete with the World Cup’s first-ever halftime show, featuring Shakira, Coldplay, Madonna and more.
Where to Watch Spain vs Argentina
Free on ITV1 in the UK. In the US it is on Fox and FS1.
Quick tip: in the UK the final is on ITV1 and ITVX — note the split from the bronze final, which was on BBC. In the US, Fox and FS1 both carry it, with Spanish coverage on Telemundo and Universo. Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK has every channel and time.
Spain vs Argentina TV Channel and Live Stream
UK USA Spain Argentina
Canada
AustraliaWhat Time Is Spain vs Argentina in Your City?
New York / New Jersey (ET, local)Chicago (CT)Los Angeles (PT)
London (BST)
Madrid (CEST)
Buenos Aires (ART)
Dubai (GST)
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Sydney (AEST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
Pick your country and we will do the maths.
The Road to the Final
Spain conceded once in seven matches and won all four knockout ties. Argentina scored 19 goals, survived three close calls and kept the faith through Messi in each crisis. Every group table is in our World Cup 2026 groups guide.
SpainArgentinaYamal vs Messi. One Goal Against. Nineteen Goals For.
There is a photograph taken in December 2007 at a UNICEF charity calendar shoot for FC Barcelona. A young Lionel Messi, twenty years old, cradles a six-month-old baby. That baby was Lamine Yamal. Today, eighteen years later, they meet in a World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Football sometimes writes its own scripts, and this one reads like fiction.
Spain are the deserved favourites. Luis de la Fuente’s side have been the most complete team of the tournament: unbeaten in seven, scoring 13 goals and conceding one, with their only wobble a 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium in Los Angeles that ended Unai Simón’s record run of 650 minutes without conceding at this World Cup. The structure is exceptional: Rodri and Fabián Ruiz control midfield, Pedri creates, Yamal burns down the right, and Mikel Oyarzabal — five goals, all of them important — leads the line. Spain won Euro 2024, have won their last 37 official matches, and know exactly how to grind out results when the going is tight. Spain’s attack may actually be underperforming: they have created 14.96 xG and scored 13, suggesting there could be more to come.
Argentina are the champions, and they play like it. They have scored 19 times, conceded seven, and survived three moments that would have ended lesser sides: extra time against Cape Verde; the 0-2 comeback against Egypt; and a last-twelve-minutes fight-back to beat England. At 39 and in what he has strongly implied will be his final World Cup, Lionel Messi has eight goals and the tournament’s highest shot-conversion rate among leading scorers. He is level with Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, though Mbappé plays in the bronze final on Saturday, meaning a Messi goal today gives him the award outright. Javier Mascherano is not on the bench this time: it is Lautaro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister and De Paul alongside Messi, the most experienced and battle-hardened knockout squad in the draw.
The head-to-head record between these two nations stands at six wins each across 14 meetings, with two draws. Their most recent competitive encounter was the Finalissima — the match between the European and South American champions — which was cancelled before it could take place in March 2026 due to security concerns in Qatar. Their last actual meeting was a 6-1 friendly win for Spain in 2018 in Madrid, a result that tells you almost nothing about where these squads stand today. In World Cup history they have met once, in the 2010 group stage, ending goalless.
Four of the last five World Cup finals have required extra time: France vs Croatia (2018), Argentina vs France (2022), and now arguably the two best teams of the entire 48-team era. Spain suffocate opponents and score second-half goals after tiring them; Argentina absorb pressure and hit when it hurts. Both benches will think they can win inside 90. The prediction markets give Spain a 59% chance; the bookmakers a similar edge. Most independent previews land on a draw after 90 minutes and a Spain victory in extra time, though Argentina’s knockout record — never beaten in normal time this tournament — makes them a credible threat. What looks near-certain is a game settled by fine margins, perhaps a set piece or a moment of individual genius, with a Messi goal the single outcome that would rewrite the narrative in Argentina’s favour.
How They Might Line Up
Both squads report no fresh injuries. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is expected to name his strongest XI for the second game running. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni faces a selection question at left-back, with Facundo Medina pushing Nicolás Tagliafico, but is otherwise settled after the side that beat England.
SPAIN · De la Fuente · 4-2-3-1Simón · Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella · Rodri, Fab Rúiz · Yamal, Olmo, Baena · Oyarzabal (c)
ARGENTINA · Scaloni · 4-4-2E. Martínez · Molina, Romero, L. Martínez, Tagliafico · De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, E. Fernández · Messi (c), J. Álvarez
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MetLife Stadium, the Halftime Show & Trump
Known during the tournament as New York New Jersey Stadium, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is home to the NFL’s Giants and Jets, and sits 10 miles west of Manhattan. It is the largest venue used at this World Cup and is hosting the final for the first time. The 1994 final was held at the Rose Bowl in California. Forecast for kickoff: a high near 83°F, sun and cloud, light winds and a minimal chance of rain.
For the first time in World Cup history, the final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show. Confirmed performers include Shakira, Coldplay, Madonna, BTS, Burna Boy and Gustavo Dudamel conducting the PS22 Chorus. The show is expected to last approximately 11 minutes, with the halftime break potentially extended to up to 30 minutes.
Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with six wins each and two draws. At the World Cup they have only ever met once, a goalless group-stage draw in 2010 that Spain went on to win. Their most recent meeting, a 6-1 friendly win for Spain in Madrid in 2018, is ancient history for squads this transformed. The scheduled Finalissima in March 2026 was cancelled due to security concerns.
Spain vs Argentina: Quick Answers
What time does Spain vs Argentina kick off?
3:00 PM Eastern in the US — which is the local time in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That is 2pm Central, noon Pacific, 4pm Buenos Aires, 8pm London BST, 9pm Madrid CEST. The date is Sunday, July 19, 2026.
What channel is the World Cup final on in the UK?
ITV1, free with streaming on ITVX. Note the split from the bronze final (Saturday, BBC One) — the final returns to ITV.
How can I watch the World Cup final in the US?
Fox and FS1 have the broadcast, with streaming via Fubo, Peacock and FOX One. Spanish-language coverage is on Telemundo and Universo.
Who is favourite to win the World Cup final?
Spain, with approximately a 57-59% implied chance of lifting the trophy, priced around -148. Argentina are +129 underdogs. Spain conceded once all tournament; Argentina scored 19 goals. Both are credible winners.
Is this Messi’s last World Cup?
Almost certainly. Messi is 39. He has eight goals at this tournament, level with Kylian Mbappé. If he scores today he takes the Golden Boot; if Argentina win, he becomes the first player to lift the trophy twice and the first champion coach-and-player combination since West Germany in 1974 — arguably the greatest individual career in football history crowned with the perfect send-off.
Is there a halftime show?
Yes, for the first time in World Cup history. Confirmed performers include Shakira, Coldplay, Madonna, BTS and Burna Boy, with Gustavo Dudamel conducting. The show is expected to last around 11 minutes.
Is Trump presenting the trophy?
Yes. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed Donald Trump will be on stage for the trophy presentation, as is customary for heads of state at events hosted in their country.
What would Spain winning mean?
Their second World Cup title, and first since 2010 when Andrés Iniesta scored the extra-time winner against the Netherlands in South Africa. They would also join Germany and France as multi-time World Cup winners in the modern era.
