Live from MetLife Stadium: Argentina and Spain kicked off the 2026 World Cup final at 3:00 PM ET (12:30 AM IST, July 19–20) with the trophy — and football’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show — on the line. As of publishing, the match is goalless in the first half: Spain have controlled early possession and limited space for Lionel Messi, now the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup final, while 19-year-old Lamine Yamal has looked Spain’s most dangerous outlet. This page covers everything happening today — match, anthems and the halftime show — and where to watch or hear all of it.
Quick Facts
| Final | Argentina vs Spain |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Final |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| Date | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET / 12:30 AM IST |
| Status | LIVE — goalless in the first half as of publishing |
| Argentina’s path | Beat England 2-1 in the semi-final (Atlanta) |
| Spain’s path | Beat France 2-0 in the semi-final |
| Halftime show | First-ever World Cup final halftime show, ~3:45 PM ET — Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira & BTS |
How They Got Here
Argentina looked beaten in Atlanta. England led 1-0 since the 55th minute, but the defending champions scored twice in the last five — Enzo Fernández in the 85th, Lautaro Martínez in the 90th+2 — to complete the turnaround. Read the full semi-final story, anthems and all, here. Spain, meanwhile, needed no such drama, shutting out France 2-0 to reach their first World Cup final since 2010.
Before Kickoff: Post Malone’s Closing Ceremony
The music started hours before a ball was kicked. FIFA’s World Cup closing ceremony ran from 1:30 PM ET, headlined by Post Malone with Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed, plus a Tom Cruise appearance — our full closing ceremony lineup and start-time guide is here. Jennifer Hudson performed the US national anthem shortly before kickoff, alongside Argentina’s and Spain’s own anthems below.
The Anthems That’ll Open the Final
It’s a genuine study in contrasts. Argentina’s Himno Nacional Argentino is an 1813 independence-era anthem with lyrics so intense they’re officially trimmed down for matchdays. Spain’s Marcha Real goes the opposite direction entirely — it’s one of the only national anthems on Earth with no official lyrics at all, which is why you’ll see Spanish players humming rather than singing.
The Songs Fans Will Be Singing
Argentina’s terraces have the tournament’s most emotional weapon in “Muchachos,” plus an entire songbook written just for Lionel Messi, who could lift the trophy in what may be his final World Cup appearance. Spain don’t have one single fan anthem with that kind of cultural weight, but La Roja arrive as reigning European champions — riding their own wave of confidence after beating England on penalties in the Euro 2024 final.
Football’s Biggest Halftime Show Ever
For the first time in World Cup history, the final gets a proper halftime show — expected to start around 3:45 PM ET (1:15 AM IST), just after the first half ends, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS co-headline, joined by Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, New York’s PS22 Chorus, Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance troupe (personally invited onstage by Shakira), and Sesame Street and Muppets characters. FIFA has pegged the show at 11 minutes, though reports suggest the interval could stretch to 20–25 minutes to allow a stage to be built and removed directly on the pitch. Coldplay themselves aren’t performing — here’s why Chris Martin is everywhere except the setlist.
It’s not just spectacle — the show is raising money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to put $100 million toward expanding children’s access to education. “The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Justin Bieber said. “I’m grateful to be part of this half-time show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.” Burna Boy, who co-wrote the tournament’s official song with Shakira, called performing at the final “a privilege and a responsibility” to represent Africa on the global stage. Expect their tournament anthem “Dai Dai” to make an appearance — and if you want the full lineage, we’ve already broken down how “Dai Dai” compares to Shakira’s 2010 classic “Waka Waka.”
Where to Watch (and Stream) It All
In the US, the final airs in English on FOX and in Spanish on Telemundo and Universo, with streaming via the FOX Sports app, FOX One and Peacock. Canadian viewers can catch it on CTV and TSN; in Mexico it’s on TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca and ViX; across the Middle East and North Africa, beIN Sports carries it live. For the music side, our guide to where to stream the entire FIFA World Cup 2026 soundtrack covers every platform, and our history of World Cup anthems from 1962 to 2026 puts today’s show in context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 World Cup final happening right now?
Yes. Argentina and Spain kicked off at 3:00 PM ET / 12:30 AM IST on Sunday, July 19–20, 2026, at MetLife Stadium. As of publishing the match is goalless in the first half — check FIFA’s official match centre for the latest score.
Who is playing in the 2026 World Cup final?
Argentina vs Spain. Argentina beat England 2-1 in their semi-final comeback; Spain beat France 2-0.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup final?
Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
What time does the World Cup final halftime show start?
Around 3:45 PM ET (1:15 AM IST), right after the first half ends. FIFA has pegged the show at 11 minutes, but the interval could run 20–25 minutes to allow the on-pitch stage to be built and removed.
Who is performing at the World Cup 2026 final halftime show?
Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS co-headline, joined by Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance troupe, and Sesame Street and Muppets characters. It’s curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund — the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final.
What are Argentina’s and Spain’s national anthems?
Argentina plays the Himno Nacional Argentino, an 1813 independence-era anthem. Spain plays the Marcha Real, one of the only national anthems in the world with no official lyrics.
Has Argentina or Spain won the World Cup before?
Argentina are the defending champions, having won in 2022. Spain last won in 2010 and are the reigning European champions after Euro 2024.