Both finalists are confirmed. Argentina completed a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta — Anthony Gordon’s early second-half strike was cancelled out by Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez in the final five minutes — while Spain dispatched France 2-0 a day earlier. That sets up Argentina vs Spain at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19, for the biggest final in World Cup history: the defending champions against the reigning European champions, with football’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show as the undercard. Here’s everything set to happen, and where to 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 |
| 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 — 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.
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 — an 11-minute, Chris Martin-curated spectacle co-headlined by Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and BTS, with Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, and even Sesame Street and Muppets characters joining in. Coldplay themselves aren’t performing — here’s why Chris Martin is everywhere except the setlist. Expect Shakira and Burna Boy’s 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 Stream It All
Want the full picture before kickoff? 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 Sunday’s show in context.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Who is performing at the World Cup 2026 final halftime show?
Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS co-headline, with Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus also involved. It’s curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and runs about 11 minutes — 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.