Historic Final Matchup
The 2026 World Cup concludes with a final match between Spain and Argentina after a month of competition and 103 matches across North America.
1The Daily
The World Cup Final Is Here: Spain vs. Argentina
After 103 matches across North America, the 2026 World Cup reaches its climax with a historic final between Spain and Argentina.
The 2026 World Cup final features Spain and Argentina, with over one billion viewers expected to watch the match.
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The World Cup Final Is Here
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What to know before you press play.
Global Viewership
The final is expected to draw over one billion viewers around the world.
1Spain's Hopes
Spain aims to secure its second World Cup win, relying on its well-oiled machine and young star players.
2Argentina's Star Power
Argentina looks to Lionel Messi to secure victory in what could be his last game at the World Cup.
2Expert Analysis
Tariq Panja, a global sports correspondent for The New York Times, traces the road to this historic final and explains what to know before kickoff.
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“What are the key statistics for Spain's young star players?”
“How does Argentina's strategy rely on Lionel Messi?”
“What is the historical context of Spain's previous World Cup wins?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Context
The Road to the Final
The episode traces the path to this historic final, providing context for the matchup between Spain and Argentina.
3Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Experts
Voices named in the source.
Tariq Panja
Global sports correspondent for The New York Times
4Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
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- Publisher show notes
After a month of competition across North America and 103 matches, the 2026 World Cup is down to its final game. Spain and Argentina will meet this afternoon in a match expected to draw over one billion viewers around the world.
- Publisher show notes
Spain is hoping its well-oiled machine and young star can bring it its second World Cup win. Argentina is looking to Lionel Messi, its longtime star, to secure victory in what could be his last game at the World Cup.
- Publisher show notes
On today’s episode, Tariq Panja traces the road to this historic final and explains what to know before kickoff.
- Publisher show notes
Tariq Panja, a global sports correspondent for The New York Times.
- Publisher show notes
Background Reading
- Publisher show notes
Why Everyone Cares About This World Cup
- Publisher show notes
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
- Publisher show notes
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