By Ayomide Otitoju
Spain and Argentina will face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as tournament organisers continue to monitor air quality concerns caused by wildfire smoke drifting from Canada.
Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup title, while Spain are seeking their second world crown after winning their first in 2010.
FIFA officials said they are closely tracking weather conditions ahead of the final following smoke that has affected large parts of the United States.
“There’s been discussion about it, and we have somebody with the National Weather Service that sits in FIFA headquarters, so we’re monitoring closely,” Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House World Cup Task Force, said during a media briefing.
More than 80,000 fans are expected at the final, with United States President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum among the dignitaries scheduled to attend.
Speaking at a reception with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York, Trump described the expanded World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, as “the most successful sporting event perhaps in the history of the world.”
Spain captain Rodri expects a demanding contest against the reigning champions and said his side is prepared for a physical encounter.
“It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared,” Rodri said. “We know how to adapt to different situations, whether defending, counter-attacking or attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here.”
Asked whether he expected Argentina to employ provocative tactics, the Ballon d’Or winner replied: “That’s a part of football.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged supporters to appreciate the opportunity to watch Messi captain his country in another World Cup final.
“He has made history. He is a legend,” Scaloni said of the 39-year-old, who guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.
Meanwhile, England and France will contest Saturday’s third-place playoff after suffering semi-final defeats.
England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted his side was still hurting following its 2-1 loss to Argentina.
“It is our pain and our scar that we carry now,” Tuchel said. “It is a very painful defeat, and we have to live with it before anything else.”
France coach Didier Deschamps, who is preparing for his final World Cup match in charge of Les Bleus, said he would cherish his 15-year tenure despite the disappointment of missing out on the final after a 2-0 defeat to Spain.
“I know the final curtain falls tomorrow,” Deschamps said. “No one here is going to cry, but I know I’ll miss the French team. I have had the privilege of experiencing magical moments and difficult ones during these 15 years.”
The World Cup concludes on Sunday with a highly anticipated showdown between Spain and Argentina, as both nations chase football history on the sport’s biggest stage.
