Spain and Argentina brace for World Cup final
Spain and Argentina are preparing for the 2026 World Cup final, with both teams aiming for victory. The match features legendary player Lionel Messi and a strong Spanish squad, while the tournament has been marked by high-scoring games and environmental challenges like smog.
Why it matters
The World Cup is a major global sporting event that significantly impacts international sports culture and media attention.
The South Americans are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are eyeing a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.
Sunday's showpiece is likely to be the final World Cup appearance for Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing the diminutive genius lead out his team at the MetLife Stadium 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 World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
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 mounted another dramatic comeback in the final minutes of their semi-final against England.
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