Spain and Argentina set for New Jersey final as Trump confirms attendance
FIFA finalises logistical and ceremonial arrangements for the title clash, while political leadership prepares to present the trophy in East Rutherford.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 19 July, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Spain will face Argentina in the championship match. Kickoff is set for 15:00 local time, which corresponds to 19:00 GMT. The fixture represents a contest between Europe’s top-ranked team and South America’s leading outfit, with Spain seeking a second world title and Argentina aiming for a fourth.
US President Donald Trump has been confirmed to attend the event and is expected to present the trophy to the winning side. The presence of the US president underscores the political significance of the tournament’s hosting arrangements in North America. The venue, which is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, has been temporarily rebadged as New York-New Jersey Stadium for the duration of the tournament. It previously hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final and its semifinals, with a capacity of up to 82,500 spectators for football fixtures.
In a departure from tradition, the final will feature the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show. The performance, expected to last approximately 11 minutes, will include acts such as Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay. The halftime break may be extended to up to 30 minutes to accommodate the production. Additionally, a closing ceremony will commence 90 minutes before kickoff, featuring appearances by Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, and Nicole Scherzinger, with Jennifer Hudson scheduled to perform the US national anthem.
Statistical analysis from Opta’s supercomputer assigns a 45.1 percent probability of Spain winning in regulation time, compared to a 29.4 percent chance for Argentina. The remaining 25.4 percent probability is attributed to the match going to extra time or penalties. Historically, the two nations last met in an international friendly on 27 March 2018 at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, where Spain secured a 6-1 victory.
Looking beyond the current tournament, FIFA has outlined plans for the next World Cup, which will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Madrid is currently considered the frontrunner for the final venue, although a city has yet to be officially established. As part of the 100th-anniversary celebrations, a centenary match will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, marking the legacy of the first tournament hosted in 1930.
