- Sunday’s final is likely to be Messi’s last World Cup appearance.
- Argentina coach says “legend” Messi has made history.
- Spain are looking at the second title after maiden victory in 2010.
EAST RUTHERFORD: Lionel Messi’s battle-hardened Argentina take on silky Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday as the first-ever 48-team tournament reaches its climax in New Jersey.
The South Americans are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are looking for a second title after their first win in 2010.
After concerns in recent days that the final could be affected by smoke from wildfires in Canada that have blanketed the eastern US states, there were blue skies over New Jersey on Sunday morning.
The spectacle at MetLife Stadium, the culmination of the 104-game tournament, is likely to be the last World Cup appearance for Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time.
US President Donald Trump will be among the 80,000-strong crowd in East Rutherford – the first game he has attended in the tournament.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also attend, meaning the leaders of all three host nations will be in attendance.
A galaxy of A-list stars will perform, from Tom Cruise in the pre-game closing ceremony to Madonna and Shakira at half-time – a first in World Cup history.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has urged fans to make the most of watching little genius Messi lead his side at the age of 39.
“He has made history. He is a legend,” Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The three-time champions have shown an astonishing never-say-die attitude during the 2026 tournament.
They recovered from 2-0 down in the closing stages against Egypt in the last 16 and staged another dramatic comeback in the closing minutes of their semi-final against England.
Spain, on the other hand, have been almost flawless, conceding just one goal in their seven games so far and sweeping past France in the semi-finals, building momentum with each game.
Their captain Rodri said he was preparing for a “physical” fight and would aim to ignore any “provocations”.
“It’s going to be more physical and we have to be prepared,” the midfielder said. “But I believe if we’re known for anything in this national team, it’s that we know how to play different games based on the moment.”
In the richly talented 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, Spain have tipped the player to one day inherit the mantle of the world’s best – but their strength in this tournament has been their collective play, not individual performances.
England seal bronze
On Saturday, England beat France 6-4 in a high-scoring thriller to secure third place – their best finish since winning the tournament in 1966.
Kylian Mbappe became the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer with 22 goals – one ahead of Messi, who can reclaim the record on Sunday.
France’s hotshot has 10 goals for the 2026 tournament, two ahead of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
“I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to play in tomorrow’s game,” Mbappe said.
Trump on Friday hailed the tournament as “the most successful sporting event, perhaps in the history of the world”, when he held a reception in New York with Fifa chief Gianni Infantino.
Infantino also reached for hyperbole, saying the event had “exceeded all expectations”.
“This has not just been and is not just the best World Cup ever,” Infantino said. “It is the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed.”
