The final that the world has waited for these past years will come up on Sunday, as reigning FIFA World Cup champion, Argentina, face Spain in the final match. It is between European and South American champion. .

Argentina and Spain are the last two teams standing after the first-ever 48-team men’s World Cup, the largest field in the history of the global soccer tournament.

Argentina’s shining star, Lionel Messi, will go head-to-head against Spain’s wunderkind, Lamine Yamal.

Should Argentina emerge victorious in the final, the three-time champion would become the first back-to-back World Cup winner since Brazil won the 1958 and 1962 titles. Spain, which is only a one-time champion, is hoping to win the second title after the triumph in 2010.

Messi, leader in the Golden Boot race, and Argentina seemed to do what is required to keep their repeat bid alive in the knockout rounds.

In Wednesday’s semifinal match against England, Argentina’s Enzo Fernández tied the match 1-1 in the 85th minute off a feed from Messi before Lautaro Martínez headed home a Messi cross later in stoppage time to win the 2-1 match.

The two-goal onslaught against England was just the most recent dramatic finish for Argentina, following extra-time victories over Cape Verde and Switzerland, and a two-goal comeback against Egypt.

Argentina has also sparked major controversy throughout the tournament, with some World Cup fans accusing FIFA of favouritism and alleging Argentinian fans of racist behavior in the stands. Additionally, following the match against England, the team held up a political banner saying

“The Falklands Islands are Argentine,” which is a violation of FIFA guidelines that prohibit the display of any political messages or slogans by players before, during or after a match.

Spain secured their place in the World Cup final following Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over France-led Kylian Mbappe. Spain has only allowed one goal the entire tournament when they played Cape Verde and have set a men’s World Cup record with their sixth clean sheet after shutting out France. In 2010, when they won the cup, Spain conceded just a goal from the opening match.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup close at 12 p.m. PT at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Ahead of the final, Malone will perform with appearances from Jennifer Hudson and others.

Meanwhile, France and England will play this Saturday, at 2 p.m. PT at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida for third place.