On the eve of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, which is set to take place in New York, Argentinian fans have gathered in the city’s iconic Times Square.

The curtain comes down on the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday as Spain and Argentina battle for football’s biggest prize at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Spain are chasing their second World Cup title, while defending champions Argentina are aiming to become only the third nation in history to retain the trophy after Italy and Brazil.

Road to the Final

Spain have been one of the tournament’s standout teams. After a goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening match, Luis de la Fuente’s side have won six straight games, conceding just one goal and keeping six clean sheets.

La Roja reached the final with victories over Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France, including a composed 2-0 win over France in the semi-finals.

Argentina’s journey has been less straightforward, but the reigning champions have continued to find ways to win. Lionel Scaloni’s men have scored 19 goals in the tournament and came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the semi-finals.

The Albiceleste are now one win away from back-to-back World Cup triumphs and a place among football’s greatest international teams.

Key Battle: Messi vs Spain

All eyes will be on Lionel Messi, who is expected to play in what could be his final World Cup match. The Argentine captain is hoping to become the first player to lift the World Cup trophy twice as captain.

For Spain, teenage star Lamine Yamal has yet to dominate the tournament in front of goal, but his pace, dribbling and creativity have remained key to La Roja’s success. The Barcelona winger will be looking to produce a memorable performance on the biggest stage.

Team News

Spain have no major injury concerns and are expected to stick with the side that comfortably defeated France.

Argentina are also expected to field a full-strength squad, with Messi leading an attack that has scored at least twice in every knockout match.

Head-to-Head

The two nations have met only once at the FIFA World Cup, with Argentina claiming a 2-1 victory in the 1966 group stage.

Prediction

Spain have been the tournament’s most balanced team, combining a strong defence with clinical finishing, while Argentina have relied on their attacking quality and ability to deliver in crucial moments.

With both teams full of world-class talent, another close contest is expected, but Spain’s defensive solidity could prove decisive.

Prediction: Spain 2-1 Argentina.

India players stand for a minute of silence in tribute to late cricketer Garfield Sobers at the start of the third ODI between England and India, at Lord’s cricket ground (AP photo)

Players from India and England paid tribute to cricket legend Sir Gary Sobers by wearing black armbands during the third and final ODI at Lord’s on Sunday, two days after the West Indies great passed away.The gesture came ahead of the series decider between the two sides at the iconic venue, with both teams honouring one of the game’s greatest-ever all-rounders. Sobers, widely regarded as one of cricket’s finest players, died on Friday, prompting tributes from across the cricketing world.The players took the field wearing black armbands as a mark of respect before the start of play in London.The tribute preceded an important contest, with India and England entering the third ODI level at 1-1 after sharing the opening two matches of the series.England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to bat first, backing his side to make the most of what he believed would be a good batting surface.“We’re going to have a bat today. It looks like a good surface; hopefully, we can get a decent score on the board and put them under pressure,” Brook said at the toss.England made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Josh Tongue in place of Saqib Mahmood.India were forced into multiple changes, with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out after suffering reactive swelling in his left knee following an impact injury sustained while fielding during the second ODI in Cardiff.KL Rahul returned after missing the previous match, while Prince Yadav and Arshdeep Singh also came into the side. Washington Sundar was unavailable because of injury.

India captain Shubman Gill admitted he would have preferred to bowl first.“We would have bowled. Boom misses out due to a knee injury. KL, Prince and Arshdeep come in. We were looking to play four seamers. We were in a great position and lost too many wickets,” Gill said.The Lord’s encounter also carried added significance with the ODI World Cup less than a year away. England will look to Joe Root to continue his outstanding form after unbeaten knocks of 76 and 99 in the first two matches, while India will bank on experienced campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to guide them to a series-clinching victory.Before the cricketing action began, however, the focus was on remembering Sir Gary Sobers, as both teams united in paying their respects to one of the sport’s most celebrated figures by wearing black armbands.

The much-anticipated final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is all set to take place today at MetLife Stadium in New York, with defending champions Argentina taking on European champions Spain.

Both teams will be looking to create history as, if Argentina manage to win the match, they will become only the third team after Italy and Brazil to successfully defend their World Cup title.

On the other hand, if Spain walk away with the trophy, they will not only win their second World Cup title but also remain unbeaten in 38 straight matches, making them the team with the longest unbeaten run in football history, surpassing Italy’s record of 37 games.

However, both teams will also have one eye on the sky as the game is expected to be affected by rain following persistent rainfall in New York over the past few days. Spain also missed one of their practice sessions on Saturday due to the rain.

New York weather forecast for the Argentina vs Spain final

Rain has been a constant feature in New York over the last couple of days, raising concerns over whether the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain could also be affected by the weather. However, the latest forecast has brought welcome news for players and fans alike.

According to the forecast from AccuWeather.com, conditions are expected to remain dry throughout matchday, with a 0 per cent chance of rain from morning until late evening. Skies are forecast to remain mostly sunny during the day before turning clear after sunset, significantly reducing the risk of any weather-related disruptions.

Temperatures are expected to range between 21°C and 27°C, making for comfortable playing conditions. Moderate northwesterly winds of 13-17 km/h are also forecast, while humidity is expected to steadily fall from around 75 per cent in the morning to below 50 per cent by the evening.

Football protocol for games during rain

Football matches generally continue through normal rainfall and, unlike cricket, rain alone is not enough to stop play. However, FIFA has strict safety protocols in place for severe weather. If lightning is detected within an 8-mile (13-km) radius of the stadium or weather conditions make the pitch completely unplayable, the referee must immediately suspend the match and order players off the field, while spectators are directed to safe areas within the stadium.

Once play is suspended, FIFA follows the 30-minute rule, meaning the match cannot resume until 30 consecutive minutes have passed without another lightning strike. If lightning is detected again during that period, the 30-minute countdown starts over, potentially leading to lengthy delays.

Heavy rain can also halt play if the pitch becomes waterlogged to the extent that the ball can no longer roll or bounce normally, making the game unsafe or impossible to continue. If conditions improve, the match resumes from the exact minute and score at which it was suspended.

What happens if the Argentina vs Spain final is washed out?

Unlike some other major sporting events, the FIFA World Cup final does not have a designated reserve day. If severe weather prevents the match from being completed, FIFA will not declare the game a draw or share the title between the two finalists.

Instead, if conditions such as lightning or an unplayable pitch force the final to be suspended, play will resume from the exact minute and scoreline at which it was stopped once it is safe to continue. Should the match be unable to resume on the same day, FIFA would typically schedule the remainder of the final for the following day rather than replay the match from the beginning.

FIFA regulations also require that the World Cup final produces a definitive winner. If the score remains level after 90 minutes, the match proceeds to 30 minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if required. Under no circumstances does FIFA award co-champions, ensuring that the World Cup trophy is always decided on the field.

Les Bleus ⁠didn’t ⁠get the win against England in the World Cup 2026 third-place playoff on Saturday ⁠but Kylian ​Mbappé got a precious record. For now.

The French ​star became the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history with 22 after his second goal of his club’s ​third-place ‌match against England in Miami Gardens, ⁠Florida.

Despite Mbappe’s efforts, France lost 6-4 as their attempted comeback from ‌a 4-0 halftime deficit fell short.

Read moreFrance-England: Bellingham ends Les Bleus’ comeback in Deschamps’ farewell

Mbappé scored goals in ⁠the 48th and 66th minutes to move one ahead of Argentina great Lionel Messi.

“I’m just trying ​to help my team score every ‌time,” Mbappe said after the match. “It’s for sure that when you score that many goals in the World Cup, ‌it elevates you to certain levels but I would have liked to ​not be the top scorer in history and play tomorrow’s (championship) match.

Another record

“So, I think it’s good for legacy and when ​we stop (playing) to say that I was one ​of those players. But today, it’s ​not the first thing crossing my mind.” Mbappe also has 10 goals in ​this World Cup, two ahead of Messi in the competition for the Golden Boot.

Messi’s squad meets Spain in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, N.J., meaning the ⁠Argentine star has a chance to surpass both marks Mbappe set.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: France escape humiliation but fall to England in Deschamps’ final match

Mbappe is ⁠the first ​player with 10 goals in a World Cup since West Germany‘s Gerd Muller in 1970.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

When asked if Spain would win the World Cup, Lamine Yamal simply smiled and said “yes”.

His words to American broadcaster CBS in the build-up would have come as a surprise to no-one who has seen the confident teenager become one of the best players on the planet.

For many though, for his prediction to come true, Lamine Yamal was going to have to set the tournament alight in his first ever World Cup.

So far, that has just not happened.

The 19-year-old has scored one goal and has not made an assist, but his country have cruised into the final anyway and will face Argentina on Sunday.

While the likes of fellow superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland have had starring roles, Lamine Yamal’s World Cup has been surprisingly understated.

But could this be his moment?

Lamine Yamal’s stats for Spain are incredible. He has yet to lose for his country in the 27 competitive matches he has played. He has started 12 games at major tournaments for Spain and won all of them, the longest 100%-win rate of any European player across major tournaments when starting.

If he scores in New York on Sunday he will become just the third teenager to find the net in a World Cup final, after Pele in 1950 and Mbappe in 2018.

Win the tournament and he becomes just the fourth teenager to ever start a World Cup final and win the trophy, after Pele, Mbappe and Italy’s Giuseppe Bergomi in 1982. Nineteen-year-old team-mate Pau Cubarsi could become the fifth.

“No-one will care whether Lamine has scored lots of goals and created lots of goals,” said one Spain fan. “If he wins the World Cup with Spain, he will be a legend forever.

“If we lose to Argentina, no-one will remember his first World Cup. We know he will have lots of other World Cups and we believe he will become the greatest.

“But not many teenagers get the chance to win a World Cup. This is his chance. He will have regrets if we lose and he hasn’t been able to play his best.”

It’s been 22 years since Todd Hamilton claimed the Open Championship at Royal Troon to become the 2004 Champion Golfer of the Year, but the 60-year-old still remembers just about every detail of his week in Scotland.

On this week’s episode of Subpar, Hamilton — who says he doesn’t play much golf anymore in his home of Norman, Okla., and instead spends his time helping out his local high school golf team — reminisced with hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz about the definitive achievement of his professional career.

Hamilton said that even he was surprised by the caliber of his play at Royal Troon, and gave plenty of credit to his Sonartec hybrid, a club he wielded with masterful precision throughout the week, even on short shots around the green. On the final hole of his aggregate four-hole playoff against Ernie Els, Hamilton stroked his hybrid to three feet, setting up a magnificent up and down — and ultimately, the win.

“I did not use that shot, growing up as a kid,” Hamilton said. “I probably started using it early in 2004. I was never a big fan of 3-woods, and that Sonartec you just referenced was actually my 3-wood. It was a 17-degree club that one of the manufacturers bent down to 14 degrees, so I used that as my 3-wood.

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“Technically it was a hybrid, but it wasn’t a hybrid the way you would think that they’re used these days,” he continued. “Again, I didn’t start using that shot until early in the year, and it’s not really a shot that works real well over here in the States because the grass is kind of thatchy and grainy, but the ground over there, as you know, Colt, the ground’s very firm, grass is cut down pretty tight. It’s basically a slower putting green.”

Hamilton said he practiced playing bump-and-runs with the Sonartec every day at Royal Troon that week.

“It was a shot I kind of relied on a lot,” he said. “I don’t know how many times I used it during the week. I’m going to guess about 12 to 14 times that I used it as a chip-slash-putt, and I think only one time did I not get up and down with it, and that was because I missed about a 5- or 6-foot putt, and that was in the final round on the 10th hole, so obviously it was a shot that served me well.

“Used the club a lot off the tee,” Hamilton continued. “But, more or less, it was a shot that, around the greens, really helped me achieve what I went over there to achieve, and that was to win the Open Championship.”

For more from Hamilton, including the specific swing thought that helped him at Royal Troon in 2004, check out the full episode of Subpar below.

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An astrologer named Christina has predicted Argentina to come out on top in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, claiming Lionel Messi and the reigning world champions appear to be “empowered by the transits” ahead of their blockbuster showdown with Spain.

Argentina and Spain will go head-to-head at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday July 19 in one of the most anticipated FIFA World Cup finals in recent memory. Ahead of the clash, CBS Sports Golazo invited astrologer Christina to analyze the astrological charts of both teams and predict the outcome of the match.

Discussing Lionel Messi who has everyone’s attention following his spectacular displays in the competition so far, she said:

“I think that Messi’s transit looks like he’s driven… driven, driven, driven.”

Christina then turned her attention to Spain, explaining why she believes La Roja’s astrological profile reflects the identity they have shown throughout the tournament.

“Spain is interesting because Virgo, they have four planets in Virgo and Virgo is a hardworking, organized, sort of hyper-functional sign that likes to excel through, I would say, regular hard work. This is a very hardworking team, this is a team that loves to stay grounded, have a plan.”

The astrologer went on to point out the similarities between the two finalists before revealing which side she believes has the edge.

“What’s also interesting about Argentina is that it is also a Sagittarius rising just like Spain. They both have their nodes of fate in Scorpio and in Taurus and so they have the same type of fated energies, fascinatingly enough. We can see how they both got pulled into this special moment right now.”

When asked to predict the winner, she said:

“It’s a really difficult question to answer but I do think that Argentina really look empowered by the transits right now.”

The last time Argentina and Spain faced each other in the FIFA World Cup dates back to 1966 when they clashed in the group stage in England. The Albiceleste came out on top with a 2-1 victory from the encounter. It remains to be seen what the outcome will be this time.

Argentina chase back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles against Spain

Argentina head into the FIFA World Cup final aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the men’s World Cup title. All eyes will be on Lionel Messi to finish the job after inspiring his nation to another final on the world’s biggest stage.

Meanwhile, Spain have also proven to be a huge force to be reckoned with in the tournament this year. Spearheaded by 19-year-old Lamine Yamal in attack, the reigning European champions are seeking their first FIFA World Cup crown since lifting the trophy in South Africa back in 2010.

Regardless of the outcome, Sunday’s final promises to pit two of the tournament’s most in-form sides against each other in what is expected to be a memorable conclusion to the competition. Will the Albiceleste finally claim their fourth World Cup trophy or will Spain get their second? Only time will tell.