Argentina vs Spain: World Cup 2026 Final Date, Time, TV Guide
The World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain kicks off Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. ET (8 p.m. UK) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, airing on FOX and Telemundo in the US.
When is the Argentina vs. Spain final?
The much-anticipated final is not today but rather this coming Sunday, July 19, 2026. Argentina, the defending champions under coach Lionel Scaloni, secured their spot with a 2-1 extra-time-laden semifinal run culminating in a win over England, while Spain, managed by Luis de la Fuente, dispatched France 2-0. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, which translates to noon on the US West Coast and 8 p.m. in the UK.
Which Channel Broadcasts the Match?
FOX carries the English-language broadcast in the United States, with Telemundo handling the Spanish-language feed, while UK viewers can watch free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Cord-cutters in the US can stream via the FOX One app, Peacock, YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV.
What Makes This Final Historic?
This marks the first-ever World Cup meeting between Lionel Messi, the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 21 career goals, and rising Spanish star Lamine Yamal, whose family once shared a viral childhood photo with Messi. Messi has scored eight goals in this tournament, while Spain’s Mikel Merino has been a decisive figure in the knockout rounds, netting winners in consecutive matches against Belgium.
Both sides arrive unbeaten in the knockout stage, with Argentina grinding out three straight extra-time wins before beating England and Spain conceding just once all tournament en route to a commanding semifinal win over France.
What Happens After the Final?
The champion crowned at MetLife Stadium on July 19 will close out the first-ever 48-team World Cup, hosted jointly across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Post-match coverage on FOX and Telemundo is expected to include the trophy ceremony and player reactions, with Messi eyeing a historic back-to-back title as Argentina’s captain.
