France builds confidence entering Spain semifinal with unbeaten run
France faces Spain in semifinal July 14 with 73% citizen confidence in winning the tournament.
Event / Sports
2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament, featuring matches, results, and related developments from the competition.
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2026-08-17 to 2026-11-14 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 5 Jul, 22:53 UTC
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What happened
Argentina defeats Egypt 3-0 in Round of 16
Argentina scored three goals in 13 minutes during the Round of 16 against Egypt to overcome a 2-0 second-half deficit and secure a 3-2 victory. The comeback preserved Argentina's World Cup hopes in the tournament.
2026 FIFA World Cup final scheduled between Spain and Argentina
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match will be broadcast on FOX and Telemundo in the United States, and streamed on FOX One and Peacock.
Inaugural FIFA World Cup Final halftime show announced
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will feature the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19, 2026. The performance will be co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS, with additional performances by Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and New York's PS22 Chorus.
Spain and Argentina qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup final
Spain and Argentina advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after winning their respective semifinal matches. Spain defeated France 2-0 in Dallas on July 14, while Argentina defeated England 2-1 in Atlanta on July 15. The final match is scheduled for July 19, 2026.
Argentina pursues back-to-back World Cup titles
Argentina seeks to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles. If successful, Argentina would become only the third country overall to win back-to-back World Cups, joining Brazil and Italy, which won in 1934 and 1938.
2026 FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico
The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament commenced on June 11 when co-host Mexico played against South Africa in Mexico City. The following day, the United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match.
Spain defeats France 2-0 in World Cup semifinal
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semifinal on July 14 in Dallas. Spain scored a penalty kick in the 22nd minute when French defender Lucas Digne fouled Spanish player Lamine Yamal on a cross, and Mikel Oyarzabal converted the penalty. Pedro Porro doubled Spain's lead in the 58th minute with an assist from Dani Olmo.
Lionel Messi leads Argentina goal-scoring in 2026 World Cup
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has scored eight goals and provided four assists in the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. Messi is tied with France's Kylian Mbappé for the tournament lead in goals scored. This may be Messi's final World Cup appearance.
Argentina defeats England 2-1 in World Cup semifinal
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal on July 15 in Atlanta. England opened scoring in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, but Argentina equalized when Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute. Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute after receiving a pass from Messi, completing Argentina's comeback.
Spain maintains unbeaten record through World Cup tournament
Spain has not trailed in the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, opening with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde and then winning six consecutive matches. Spain has conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament, which was scored by Belgium in the quarterfinals before Spain won that match 2-1.
Kylian Mbappé leads World Cup goal-scoring race
France's Kylian Mbappé is tied with Argentina's Lionel Messi at eight goals for the tournament lead in goal-scoring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mbappé and Messi are among the all-time top scorers in FIFA World Cup history.
Lamine Yamal becomes World Cup breakout star for Spain
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal has emerged as a breakout performer for Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yamal was not born when Lionel Messi played in his first World Cup in 2006, but now has the opportunity to compete against the Argentina superstar in the final.
Enzo Fernandez sent off with red card in World Cup Final
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off with a red card in stoppage time of the 2026 World Cup Final against Spain.
Emiliano Martinez sets World Cup final save record
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez recorded ten saves against Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final, the most saves by a goalkeeper in a World Cup final since record-keeping began in 1966. Martinez made a crucial save of a Lamine Yamal free kick in stoppage time to send the match to extra time, keeping it scoreless through regulation.
Lisandro Martinez injured in 2026 World Cup Final
Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was substituted off in the 44th minute of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final against Spain due to an apparent leg injury. Nicolas Otamendi replaced him. Martinez had won 100% of his tackles and aerial duels during the tournament and was a crucial player for Argentina, having started all but one match in the World Cup.
Lisandro Martinez held banner claiming Argentina ownership of Falklands
Lisandro Martinez held up a banner following Argentina's 2-1 semi-final victory over England in the 2026 World Cup that claimed Argentina owned the Falklands. FIFA's independent disciplinary committee is currently assessing the incident and considering potential disciplinary action.
Spain defeated France 2-0 in World Cup semifinal
Spain advanced to the World Cup final by defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first-half penalty and Pedro Porro added a second goal shortly after halftime. Spain conceded just one goal throughout the knockout stages of the tournament.
President Trump attended World Cup final at MetLife Stadium
President Donald Trump attended the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026. During a pre-match interview, Trump stated that he requested FIFA President Gianni Infantino to allow the United States to host the World Cup again, saying the request should be made while he is in office.
Argentina has reached World Cup final seven times, Spain twice
Argentina reached the 2026 World Cup final as a seven-time finalist, having previously won three World Cup titles in 1978, 1986, and 2022. Spain reached the final for the second time, with their first appearance being in 2010 when they won the tournament.
Spain and Argentina have 15-match head-to-head history
The 2026 World Cup final was the 15th meeting between Spain and Argentina dating back to 1952. Prior to the final, Spain and Argentina each had six wins and two draws in their series. The only previous World Cup meeting between the nations occurred in 1966 during the group stage, when Argentina defeated Spain 2-1. In the most recent friendly encounter before the final, Spain defeated Argentina 6-1 in 2018 at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
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2 alternative perspectives
FIFA enforces new conduct rule as Almirón expelled for mouth-covering
FIFA enforces new mouth-covering conduct rule as Almirón receives first expulsion.
Ivan Barton named referee for France-Spain World Cup semifinal
Ivan Barton referees France-Spain semifinal; France-Spain face third meeting in three years.
England advances to semifinals after controversial goal deflection ruling
England's controversial extra-time goal—deflected by camera cable—holds up via FIFA's sensor data justification against Norway.
Rajoy's French team commentary sparks political backlash across Europe
Rajoy's criticism of France's team composition triggers racism accusations and international diplomatic backlash.
Argentina and England advance to World Cup semifinals after quarterfinal victories
Argentina and England both won quarterfinal matches to set up a semifinal matchup against each other.
South African midfielder Jayden Adams dies at age 25
South African World Cup midfielder Jayden Adams dies at 25 in Cape Town.
England's Injury and Suspension Crisis Deepens Ahead of Norway Quarterfinal
England's defensive crisis deepens with Quansah suspended and James injured before Norway quarterfinal.
Kane and Bellingham power England's World Cup attacking threat
Kane and Bellingham account for over 90% of England's World Cup goals.
England to face Norway in quarterfinal after Mexico victory
England faces historic Norway in quarterfinals after beating Mexico; Norway reaches quarters for first time.
Belgium midfielder Onana sidelined with ACL injury ahead of quarterfinals
Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana ruled out with ACL injury before Spain quarterfinal.
Spain faces Belgium in Los Angeles quarterfinal showdown
Spain and Belgium clash in the quarterfinals with contrasting strengths: Spain's defense versus Belgium's attacking firepower.