FIFA World Cup Final

July 22, 2026 9:03 AM

World Cup final draws record 63 million US viewers, signals soccer’s mainstream moment

Nearly 63 million Americans tuned in to watch Spain beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, shattering viewership records and underscoring soccer's growing appeal in the U.S. after decades of efforts to broaden its audience. Held in New Jersey, the final remained scoreless until Spain broke through in the 106th minute to secure a 1-0 victory. Fox's English-language broadcast attracted 38.9 million viewers, while Comcast's Telemundo and its Peacock streaming platform pulled in a...

July 19, 2026 1:08 PM

Extended Indian Summer brings Lionel Messi back to the summit again

When Argentina lost the 2016 Copa America final at MetLife Stadium, a heartbroken Lionel Messi tearfully announced his retirement from international football with the words "I've done all I can". At 29, he was one of the world's most decorated players at individual and club level but, after losses in three Copa America title deciders and the 2014 World Cup final, he looked destined never to take home a big international prize. He was, of course, cajoled back into the Argentina shirt by an ador...

July 19, 2026 12:48 PM

Thunderstorms disrupt Spain and Argentina World Cup final training plans

Heavy thunderstorms in the New York and New Jersey areas disrupted the final training sessions of Spain and Argentina ahead of Sunday's World Cup final on Saturday. "The Spanish national team's training session on the pitches at the Melanie Lane Training Ground in New Jersey has been suspended in accordance with the US storm safety protocol," the Spanish federation (RFEF) said in a statement after their practice at the Melanie Lane training ground was cancelled. "The players are currently taki...

July 19, 2026 12:23 PM

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum to attend FIFA World Cup final at President Trump’s invitation

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a message on X that she would attend the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump along with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "I considered it politically important that the three countries hosting the World Cup are involved, and it is also a sign of the strong coordination and collaboration we have with the U.S. government," Sheinbaum said. The final World Cup match between Argentina and Spain caps...

July 19, 2026 12:17 PM

FIFA WC final: Pressing Spain is simple in theory, painful in practice, says Julen Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui knows what it is to see Argentina picked apart by Spain's passing carousel, but the former Spain manager says Sunday's World Cupfinal will be no nostalgic rerun of a friendly thrashing in Madrid. Lopetegui was in charge the last time Spain faced Argentina, a 6-1 win at the newly opened Metropolitano stadium in 2018, when Lionel Messi was absent and Spain produced the sort of midfield suffocation that can make opponents feel they are chasing shadows. "It's a wonderful memory bec...