Argentina and Spain are set to face off in the 2026 World Cup final after Argentina staged a stunning rally past England behind Lionel Messi's heroics. Messi dismissed critics who say Argentina had an easy path, saying 'nothing was handed to us.' Spain advanced with their trademark possession game. The final has been disrupted by storms, forcing both teams to alter their preparation plans. England and France play in the third-place game.
Argentina and Spain will face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium, pitting defending champion Argentina and 39-year-old Lionel Messi against the undefeated European champions led by 19-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal. The match represents a generational clash between the tournament's oldest star and its brightest young talent. Argentina defeated England in the semifinals, while Spain dominated their path to the final. The UK has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina over a Falkland Islands banner displayed by players during celebrations.
Argentina will meet Spain in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after Lionel Messi's team staged a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England in the semifinal. Spain advanced earlier with a win over France. A victory would give Argentina back-to-back World Cup titles, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1962. The match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.
Spain delivered a dominant performance to defeat France 3-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, setting up a potential final against either England or Argentina. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring before Pedri and Nico Williams added second-half goals to seal a comprehensive victory. The match drew massive viewership worldwide. In the other semifinal, England and Argentina are set to renew their storied rivalry with a place in Sunday's final on the line.
France faces Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, pitting Kylian Mbappe against teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for the 11th time in their careers. The winner advances to face Argentina in the final. Spain advanced after a dramatic penalty shootout victory, while France defeated Belgium in the round of 16. The match is the most anticipated of the tournament, featuring two of soccer's deepest squads. In other World Cup news, FIFA is considering expanding future tournaments to 64 teams, and FIFA reversed a red card suspension for US star Folarin Balogun, keeping him eligible to face Belgium.
Lionel Messi will face England's senior men's national team for the first time in his career after Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to book a World Cup semi-final spot. England advanced by beating Norway in their quarter-final. The match on Wednesday marks the first meeting between the two countries in a competitive fixture since 2002. The 39-year-old Messi, likely playing in his final World Cup, adds a historic dimension to an already highly anticipated clash.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals are set after a dramatic weekend of quarterfinal action. Lionel Messi's Argentina outlasted Switzerland 3-1 in extra time, with Messi providing an assist after his scoring streak ended. England survived Norway in a thriller, Belgium eliminated the United States 4-1, and Morocco continued its historic run. The semifinals will be played Tuesday and Wednesday across North America.
Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals, with Mikel Merino scoring the winner for the second consecutive match. Spain will face France in the semifinals. The US was eliminated earlier after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16, with US star Christian Pulisic fracturing his leg. In other sports news, Victor Wembanyama signed a reported 5-year, $252 million extension with the San Antonio Spurs and Conor McGregor prepares to face Max Holloway at UFC 329.
Kylian Mbappé scored his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup to lead France past Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinals, sending Les Bleus to the semifinals for the third consecutive tournament. Mbappé missed a penalty kick but recovered to score and assist, while Morocco's disciplined defense finally cracked in the second half. France will face Spain in the semifinals after Spain eliminated Belgium in a dramatic late victory.
The United States men's national team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in a 4-1 round-of-16 loss to Belgium in Seattle on Monday. The defeat came despite FIFA's controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's red card ban, allowing him to play. Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in the first half to put the US on the back foot. Malik Tillman briefly equalized with a free kick, but Belgium pulled away in the second half with two more goals. Christian Pulisic suffered a leg microfracture during the match and is expected to be sidelined for weeks. The US exit means all three host nations — USA, Canada, and Mexico — fell at the round-of-16 stage.