TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a showdown between reigning European champions Spain and defending world champions Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Both teams secured their places in the final after impressive semifinal victories. Spain defeated France 2-0 to continue their strong run under coach Luis de la Fuente, while Argentina staged a dramatic late comeback to beat England 2-1 through goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez.
How Spain and Argentina Reached the Final
Spain enters the final as the reigning UEFA Euro champion after winning Euro 2024 by defeating England 2-1 in the final. The title marked La Roja's fourth European crown after previous triumphs in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
Argentina, meanwhile, comes into the final as the defending Copa América champion, having won the tournament in both 2021 and 2024. Lionel Messi's side defeated Brazil in the 2021 final before beating Colombia three years later.
The World Cup final also pits the world's two highest-ranked national teams against each other. Argentina currently occupies first place in the FIFA rankings, with Spain closely behind in second, separated by only 4.76 ranking points. The result of Sunday's final could influence which nation tops the next FIFA rankings.
Argentina is aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title. Spain, meanwhile, is seeking its second world championship after lifting the trophy for the first time in South Africa in 2010.
Argentina player Lionel Messi. Shutterstock
The Spain vs Argentina final is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) in the United States, where the match will be played at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The match will begin at 8:00 p.m. British Summer Time (BST) in the United Kingdom and 2:00 a.m. WIB on Monday, July 20 in Indonesia.
2026 World Cup Schedule
Third-Place Playoff: France vs England
United States (ET): Saturday, July 18, 2026, 9:00 p.m.
United Kingdom (BST): Sunday, July 19, 2026, 2:00 a.m.
Indonesia (WIB): Sunday, July 19, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
World Cup Final: Spain vs Argentina
United States (ET): Sunday, July 19, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
United Kingdom (BST): Sunday, July 19, 2026, 8:00 p.m.
Indonesia (WIB): Monday, July 20, 2026, 2:00 a.m.
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