So why should you be tuned in today to watch the World Cup Final? Because its the Best team from Europe vs the Best from the Americas? Or because over 1.6 billion people are expected to watch across the world (compared to the Superbowl at 125 million), because its the culmination of the a month long tourney which over 5 billion people watched and captured even the heartbeat of America? No you should watch today – because the GOAT – the undisputed GREATEST SOCCER PLAYER of all Time is playing in what should be his last International Competition. He was considered the GOAT based on his club play for Barcelona over the past 25 years – but that was solidified when he lead Argentina to the World Cup Championship 4 years ago. Now the chance at a 2nd straight title for Argentina (which would match the Great Pele for Brazil 1958 – 1962) is upon us.

Argentina has grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat 3 times in this run to the Final — tied with Cape Verde in the Round of 32 late, trailing the Swiss with 10 minutes to go in the round of 16 and finally down 2 goals in the Semi-Final vs England. Each time it was Messi who lead the charge delivering assists and goals to help lead Argentina to victory. What he is doing at 39 years old is matched by only perhaps the Great Tom Brady – QB for New England. You MUST WATCH TODAY because this is history – this is a chance to see the GOAT of a sport: Futbol ride off into the sunset with his country Argentina and millions of others like me crying on the sideline. Do yourself a favor – watch and Enjoy!!

Now onto the game today – listen Spain is really really good. They are the best defensive team in this tourney – having only given up 1 goal this entire World Cup – that to the explosive France. They do this by possessing the ball for endless amounts of time, a good center defense and a very good goalkeeper in Unai Simone?? So can Argentina press the attack and keep the ball enough to worry the Spanish? I expect Spain will have 70-30 possession until its crunch time. I think Spain will take a 1-0 lead late in the first – and Argentina will again – make a go in the last 20 minutes to net the equalizer. Then in Extra Time – before overtime – Messi will find a way to get Argentina a goal and take home the victory. Or so I hope – Argentina wins it 2-1.

Here are a ton of things about Messi

TV Schedule

Sun, July 19
3 pm Fox WC FINAL – Argentina vs Spain
7 pm Victory+ Boston Legacy vs Washington Spirit
All games on Fox, FS1 & Telemundo
Wed, July 22 MLS
7:30 pm Apple Free Columbus Crew vs NYCFC
7:30 pm Apple Cincy vs Vancouver
7:30 pm Apple Inter Miami vs Chicago
7:30 pm Apple Philly vs NY Red Bulls
8:10 on FS1 Charlotte vs Atlanta United
10;30 pm FS1 LAFC vs Real Salt Lake
Fri, July 24
8 pm Victory+ Houston Dash vs Bay FC NWSL
10 pm Prime Portland Thorns vs Gotham FC
Sat, July 25
5 pm Tubi, Ion Boston Legacy vs KC Current
7 pm FS1 Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati FC
Sun, July 26
5 pm CBSSN San Diego Wave vs Seattle Reign
7 pm Victory+ Washington Spirit vs Denver Summit
9 pm ESPN Angel City vs Racing Louisville

Good Morning World Cup Fans MIB

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World Cup Final

Get ready for the World Cup final! What you need to know, top players, best moments, predictions, odds
Who wins World Cup battle between Messi and Yamal? We do
2026 World Cup final: Spain is favored against Lionel Messi’s Argentina
Just tuning in for World Cup final? Let’s catch you up on what you’ve missed
Back to his Ballon d’Or-winning best, Rodri has powered Spain to World Cup final
Lionel Messi and Argentina have made magic happen all tournament long, showing a knack for dramatic, late goals. In their way of a repeat as world champions is a precise Spanish side.

World Cup Daily live: Final countdown as Spain, Argentina get ready to take New York
Golden generations may be colliding with Spain, Argentina

Storms due to clear smoke ahead of WCup final
Why are there hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, and why has FIFA been criticised?
World Cup: how the final ball has evolved, 1930 to 2026
World Cup: the highest-scoring finals 

The GOAT & Fans

It’s Lamine Yamal vs. Lionel Messi: The young pretender vs. the legend
Golden Boot tracker: Who will score most goals at the World Cup?
With World Cup spotlight on him, Lionel Messi won’t make final about himself

Messi first met Yamal as a baby. Their next meeting will be in a World Cup final
Messi’s World Cup farewell with Argentina comes full circle against Spain
Cheapest WC final last-minute ticket is $10,000
World’s most remote World Cup final watch parties, from Antarctica to ‘Mars of the mid-Atlantic’
Meet the World Cup superfans who follow their team through it all

USA

World Cup time capsule: Images the USMNT will remember forever
The U.S. youth sports problem that connects soccer and baseball
NYCFC eye Pulisic, deal ‘dead in the water’ for now
Transfer rumors, news: USMNT’s Folarin Balogun targeted by Juve, Dortmund

World Cup 3rd Place Game & More World Cup Tidbits

No one wanted to play, but England helped deliver a third-place match to treasure
England hold off France in WC game for the ages
England survives France rally to claim third place in 10-goal thriller
Player ratings: Bukayo Saka gets 9/10 as England beat France to seal third place
Mbappé breaks Messi’s World Cup goals record
World Cup 2026: France’s Michael Olise breaks Pelé’s record for assists in a single tournament

Grading every team eliminated from the World Cup
🔟 anecdotes from World Cup finals you might not know
World Cup prize money: Third-place payout and full list of team earnings

World Cup final: Argentina vs. Spain – What you need to know, predictions, odds

• ESPN

Jul 19, 2026, 02:46 AM ET

We’re down to the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as there are now just two teams still harboring dreams of becoming world champions. We’ve seen 46 teams — including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, as well traditional powerhouses Brazil and Germany — fall by the wayside over the past month. Now only reigning world champions Argentina and reigning European champions Spain still have their eyes on victory in the final in New Jersey on Sunday. But how did we get here? Who are the players who have stood out the most? And what are the moments that we’ll never forget? ESPN’s Mark Ogden brings you up to date with answers to all of those questions, Sam Tighe looks at where the final will be won and lost, a selection of our writers who have been reporting on the tournament give us their predictions on the winner, and we’ll bring you the latest betting odds via DK Sports.

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Spain vs. Argentina (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET | East Rutherford, New Jersey)

SPAIN

How they got here: The European champions have flown under the radar at this tournament after opening up with a shocking 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. But despite that inauspicious start, Spain have quietly gone about their business and conceded their first — and only — goal of the tournament in the 2-1 quarterfinal win against Belgium. Any doubts over La Roja’s ability to go the distance were emphatically blown away with a 2-0 semifinal win against France in Dallas. Luis de la Fuente’s team went into that game as underdogs because of France’s impressive run to the last four, but Spain defeated Les Bleus with a dominant performance that showcased the very best of the Euro 2024 winners.

Star player: Mikel Oyarzabal is the unheralded striker who always delivers for Spain, and the Real Sociedad forward has done it again at this World Cup, where he has scored five goals in the team’s run to the final. Oyarzabal scored the winning goal in Spain’s Euro 2024 final win against England in Berlin and, with three goals in the knockout stages of this World Cup, he has helped take his team to the final. The 29-year-old has spent his entire career with Sociedad and lacks the star quality of many of his teammates, but Spain wouldn’t be playing on Sunday without his goals.

Best moment: Pedro Porro‘s goal in the 2-0 win against France made the game safe, but it was the manner of the goal which stood out. The Tottenham Hotspur defender is not one of Spain’s attacking players, but he took his goal with such calmness and authority — it highlighted that this is a team that can hurt an opponent from all areas of the pitch.

Why were Argentina able to come back vs. England?

ARGENTINA

How they got here: On paper, Argentina have had an easy route to the World Cup final having avoided an opponent in the top 15 of the FIFA world rankings until facing England — ranked fourth — in the semifinals. But while their path has looked straightforward, it has been anything but with Cape Verde taking the world champions to extra-time before losing 3-2 in the round of 32 and Egypt claiming an “injustice” after VAR decisions contributed to their 3-2 defeat in the round of 16. Switzerland looked set to take Argentina all the way to penalties — or even beat them — during a hard-fought quarterfinal that only turned following a red card for Swiss striker Breel Embolo. England were five minutes away from the World Cup final before Argentina turned the semifinal on its head with two late goals, but Lionel Scaloni’s side have certainly played on the edge — but they keep on winning.

Star player: Lionel Messi — who else? The 39-year-old carried Argentina to glory at Qatar 2022, but it’s incredible to think that until recently, there were doubts as to whether he would even play in this tournament. He has not only played, he has dominated, and he goes into the final tied with Kylian Mbappé on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot. But while Messi is everything for Argentina, it is only fair to mention Lautaro Martínez and Enzo Fernández because both have delivered in big moments. Lautaro has three goals at this tournament and Enzo has netted twice — both scored in the 2-1 win against England, so Messi knows he has a reliable support cast.

Best moment: Argentina and Messi have had plenty, but the moment that has made this World Cup for La Albiceleste is Lautaro’s winning goal against England. The semifinal was such a tense, emotional encounter, so to win the game with a header from Messi’s cross will be a highlight of Lautaro’s career and a moment that will be remembered for a lifetime in Argentina. — Ogden

Where will this game be won?

The original ethos of the World Cup was to bring together the globe’s various different footballing styles and approaches, then pit them against each other to see who emerges victorious. In that sense, Spain vs. Argentina is a fitting finale to this year’s edition; it’s the ultimate battle between consummate control and frenetic frenzy.

Spain got the whole world talking with their remarkable dismantling of France in the semifinals, winning 2-0 thanks to a performance that held that vaunted attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé to almost nothing; Fabián Ruiz and especially Rodri delivered a masterclass in midfield that allowed for total domination.

France boss Didier Deschamps failed to match up tactically (and numerically) in midfield and it cost them. They also could not get a handle on Dani Olmo’s one-touch playmaking, or Yamal’s speed and directness on the flank.

Argentina will not make the same mistake. This is a team that floods the middle of the pitch with numbers in order to get players combining quickly with Messi, and an important part of their game is committing little fouls to break up their opponent’s rhythm. Can Spain keep their nerve and stave that off?

That, truly, is the key question here, and it’s not a case of doing it for 60 or 70 minutes and being fine — it’s a case of doing it for all 90. Because La Albiceleste‘s track record of launching late sieges in this tournament is stunning, as the defeated trail of Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England will attest.

It is remarkable what Messi & Co. can conjure when their backs are against the wall with the clock ticking. This match will not end quietly. — Tighe

Laurens: Halftime shows should be left to American sports

Predictions

Becherano: Argentina 2-1 Spain. It’s hard to imagine Argentina not clawing their way to the trophy after the way they’ve played this tournament. The team have found scrappy ways to win, proving that you don’t always need to play well to eliminate a rival. It won’t be the prettiest game of football from either side, but Argentina may just have enough to become consecutive World Cup champions.

Carlisle: Spain 2-1 Argentina. Argentina’s survival instincts are off the charts, but they haven’t yet faced a technically superior team. That changes with the matchup against Spain, who will starve La Albiceleste of the ball much like they’ve done to other opponents, giving La Roja their second World Cup title.

Connelly: Spain 4-1 Argentina. With the way Argentina put together late-game charges, you either knock them all the way out ahead of time or you get knocked out in the 12th round. We’ll say it’s the former (though the latter wouldn’t be surprising at this point).

Dawson: Spain 3-1 Argentina. Argentina’s knockout games have been entertaining but chaotic. If Spain can find the same level of control as they did against France, they’ll score first and be able to withstand Argentina’s late push to close out the game.

Hamilton: Argentina 1-3 Spain: Spain won’t make the same mistakes England did. They’ll score one, and then go for another – just like they did against France. Argentina will have their moments but this is Spain’s final. They know how to control big matches, how to nullify threats (Mbappe and Dembele) and their form is ridiculously good. Argentina have completed many Houdini-esque escapes, but this is one ask too many.

Olley: Spain 2-0 Argentina. Spain have peaked at the right time and have the mixture of togetherness and composure that can see off an Argentina side that are probably a little lucky to reach the final.

Ogden: Spain 3-1 Argentina. My predictions in the knockout stage have been woeful, so I need to redeem myself with the final and that’s why I am tipping Spain. Argentina have Messi, they have the desire, they will probably have 90% of the fans in MetLife Stadium on Sunday, but Spain are so good with the ball and so full of quality that I am tipping La Roja — and if it descends into a scrap, they showed against France that they can get tough when they need to.

Lindop: Spain 2-1 Argentina. Both of these teams have recent experience of international glory, but ultimately I think Spain’s superior quality will win out. Argentina have ridden their luck at times in this tournament, and I expect Spain’s well-drilled possession game will prove too much for the reigning world champions.

Marcotti: Spain 2-1 Argentina. I write this in the full knowledge that Messi can subvert logic and football. However, if Spain keep the ball half as well as they did against France, it’s going to be very hard for Argentina to create chances: they’re another side that simply doesn’t match up well with De la Fuente’s crew.

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Odds (via DK Sports, correct at time of publication)

Spain: +115

Argentina: +285

The two teams being level after 90 minutes is +200.

Lionel Messi. Is this the end?

By Oliver Kay July 19, 2026 Updated 3:41 am EDT

For the past two decades, watching Lionel Messi has been a joy, a privilege and a source of near-constant wonder. There are good footballers, there are great footballers and then there is Messi, who plays as if he has been sent here from another dimension, a superior life form inside the 5ft 7in frame of a normal guy from Rosario, Argentina.At the dizzy peak of his powers at Barcelona, spanning all the way from the late 2000s to the early 2020s, he took the breath away almost every time he played. In the blink of an eye, he went from mesmerising to killer mode. He didn’t just score goals at a prodigious rate. He created, caused havoc and performed in a way that left even the most cynical press-box veterans in thrall. Watching Messi at this World Cup — and indeed the previous one, given how little we knew at the time — has felt different. You are not just watching in awe of his other-worldly talent. You are watching in disbelief that he is still doing it, albeit perhaps more sporadically, at the age of 35 in Qatar in 2022 and at 39 now, and knowing, in the knockout stages, that each time might be the last you see him play on the sport’s biggest stage.Beyond that, there is the knowledge that every game, every performance, every dramatic intervention on Argentina’s behalf, is embellishing a sporting legacy that already seemed complete. Among those who have long felt Pele’s or Diego Maradona’s legacies unsurpassable — perhaps even for a small minority of those who insist the Argentina captain is not the greatest of the modern era — Messi is challenging deeply entrenched beliefs. Sunday’s final against Spain will be Messi’s last game on the World Cup stage. He has made that clear — even if he said the same thing in 2022 and for a long time afterwards, reflecting that leading Argentina to glory at his fifth attempt, fulfilling his life’s ambition, “closed a circle” and represented the perfect ending.This time it really will be the end. That song Argentina’s players and fans have been singing, which features a well-documented line about wanting to win the World Cup “por las Malvinas” (for the Falkland Islands, the subject of a decades-long dispute with the UK), also contains a line about wanting to do it “por la ultima de Leo” (for Leo’s last one).

Messi has appeared far more emotional at this World CupGetty Images

He might yet continue as far as the Copa America in 2028, also to be held in the United States, but the 2030 World Cup looks beyond even his remarkable powers of endurance. For the vast majority of sports fans across the world, those who are not minded to tune in to follow his exploits for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, this could, realistically, be the last time they see Messi play.At times over the past five weeks, it is as if that realisation has dawned on him in the closing stages of games. For long periods he has been quiet until, at 2-0 down against Egypt in the round of 16 and trailing England 1-0 in the semi-final, a raging intensity has taken hold of him. As his former Barcelona team-mate Thierry Henry put it, in the Fox studio: “You do not (want to) wake up the beast. You look at his eyes, and he switches. When he goes into that mood, it’s very difficult to stop him. He starts to take the ball and dribble past almost everybody to try to change the game.”The danger is that, if Argentina find themselves trailing once again in Sunday’s final, their opponents will be far less accommodating than Egypt and particularly England were. England’s response to taking the lead against Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta was to retreat further and further until Messi’s inevitable impact, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. By contrast, Spain’s response to going 1-0 up against tournament favourites France 24 hours earlier was to double down and dominate the game until they scored a second.CSince a stuttering start with a draw against Cape Verde, Spain have looked the most complete, most cohesive team at this tournament. Argentina have played in bursts, frequently drawing on their never-say-die spirit as well as Messi’s brilliance. Bookmakers’ odds, data-based predictive models and indeed the majority of Athletic readers in our predictions hub lean towards a Spanish victory at MetLife Stadium.That said, France were favourites in the last final and Argentina beat them, albeit by the finest of margins, recovering from the shock of Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick before holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout.In 2022, there was much focus on the symbolism of a meeting between Messi and Mbappe, seemingly the heir to the Argentinian’s throne. Mbappe is a wonderful player, as he has demonstrated for France during this World Cup, but Messi has remained pre-eminent, even while playing his club football in Florida. Now thoughts turn to whether the final might see the torch passed to Spain’s 19-year-old phenomenon Lamine Yamal, which would be all the more poignant given the extraordinary circumstances of their only previous meeting.In these situations, the narratives can be so seductive. But in Messi’s case, his status and his legacy are surely by now so secure that he has nothing left to prove.The same feeling took hold in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup final. The notion that Argentina had to win it in order to secure his position on the pantheon of all-time greats, elevating him to the level of Pele and Maradona, was appealing but ultimately facile. Had Argentina lost that penalty shootout, rather than won it, would it really have caused Messi’s career to be seen in a less favourable light?It probably would, but it shouldn’t. Before that World Cup final in Qatar, he had played 1,002 games at senior level for club and country. In that time, he had changed our perception of what elite performance in football looks like. The idea that his legacy should hinge on the outcome of one game — let alone a game settled on a penalty shootout — was the 1,003rd game of his career for club and country. His greatness had already been proved over and over.The same applies now. Sunday’s final will be the 1,196th game of his career. It makes little sense to suggest that his legacy hinges on whether or not, at the age of 39, he is able to lead Argentina to a second world title.But that word “lead” is significant because, for years, leadership was the one thing Messi was perceived to lack. His talent was extreme, but his introverted personality seemed at times to inhibit him on the World Cup stage, where the burden of trying to deliver glory for his country — as Maradona did so memorably in 1986 — weighed so heavily on his shoulders. Maradona himself remarked after Argentina’s defeat by Chile in the 2016 Copa America final that Messi had “no personality” and lacked the “character” to be a leader.

Messi has a devoted following among Argentina’s playersElsa/Getty Images

In 2016, Messi was faced with a dilemma: fight or flight. His instinctive reaction, tearful after losing another final, was to throw in the towel, to announce his career with Argentina was over at the age of 29, to focus on his club career, which by comparison brought him so much joy and so little anxiety. But then he listened to his heart, listened to the advice of his nearest and dearest, and pledged to carry on trying to bring Argentina success. He reevaluated his role as a captain and a leader and made it his greatest obsession. He finally won his first senior trophy with Argentina at the Copa America in 2021. Since then, they have won the Finalissima (a one-off match between the champions of Europe and the Americas), the World Cup in 2022 and the Copa America again in 2024. Now he has the opportunity to win his second World Cup and Argentina’s fourth. In some ways, watching this late-career Messi has become just as compelling an experience as watching the one who recorded a quite absurd 91 goals and 22 assists for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012. Not as reliably, breathtakingly, constantly brilliant — you would not expect that of a 39-year-old — but perhaps slightly more human, more relatable, more conscious of his own (notional) fallibility and of how time is now so precious, particularly in those moments when Argentina’s ambitions have been hanging by a thread. He knows his time as a footballer is running out. He knows his powers have to be used more selectively these days. There have been times at this World Cup, even until the closing stages of the semi-final against England, when it has felt as if his previous endeavours might just have caught up with him. Watching him has become a more intense, more dramatic experience, perhaps less about appreciating his incredible talent and more about marvelling at his ability to conjure up one more piece of magic when the stakes are so high and when time — not just on the scoreboard but on his body clock — appears to be catching up with him. He is astonishing: the prolific goalscorer who is also a selfless creator; the virtuoso who brings out the best in every team-mate; the quiet, unassuming guy who is transformed with a ball at his feet; the teenage wunderkind who is illuminating the World Cup more brightly than ever in his 40th year. Now, as ever, he leaves his audience in thrall. Oliver Kay Before joining The Athletic as a senior writer in 2019, Oliver Kay spent 19 years working for The Times, the last ten of them as chief football correspondent. He is the author of the award-winning book Forever Young: The Story of Adrian Doherty, Football’s Lost Genius.

Messi’s Argentina face Spain in today’s 2026 World Cup final: Live updates

Argentina attempt to defend their title against European champions Spain.

The Athletic Live Team

July 19, 2026 at 12:15 PM EDT

Luke Brown·

Senior Managing Editor, Live

Spain vs Argentina — Latest

The 2026 World Cup winners will be crowned today at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Spain and Argentina meet in the final, bringing the curtain down on a 104-match tournament staged across North America.

Follow our live coverage for all the latest news, updates and analysis from our team.

2m ago

Ed Mackey·

Senior Editor, Live

Spain look almost impenetrable

Spain are only slight favourites, but I think they should be more highly fancied to win this World Cup final.France had become many people’s favourites to win the tournament after they way they ripped through everything in front of them, but then they were soundly dispatched by Luis de la Fuente’s men in the semi-final.Spain have conceded just one goal at this tournament and we are often told that defence wins you titles. Well, their defence looks worthy of winning this title.To their credit, Argentina were great against England after going behind but they have struggled their way through this World Cup a little.They needed extra time to see off Cape Verde and 10-man Switzerland, while they left it late in normal time against Egypt and England.Granted, they also kept finding ways to win on their way to the trophy four years ago but I can see Spain keeping them at arm’s length today.

Check our tournament hub for on-the-ground reporting, instant scores, and expert analysis as the drama unfolds.

Mark Carey·

Football Writer

Spain have the edge

Sunday will have the first- and second-placed teams in FIFA’s current global rankings going head-to-head, and is the first World Cup final between the reigning European Championship and Copa America title holders.

The Athletic’s forecast model gives Spain the edge, with a 59 per cent chance of victory to Argentina’s 41 per cent.

Neither nation has made a habit of losing in recent years: Spain’s last competitive defeat came in March 2023 away to Scotland during qualification for a European Championship they subsequently won, and Argentina haven’t been beaten in a major-tournament knockout since the 2019 Copa America semi-final against Brazil.

They have won three major tournaments on the bounce in the years since. Something has to give today. May the best team win.

Andrew Marchand·

Senior Writer, National

Fox quartet including Henry, Lalas to arrive by helicopter

Fox’s top studio crew of Rebecca Lowe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas started the network’s four-hour pregame show at 11 a.m. ET under the Brooklyn Bridge.

So how will they get to MetLife Stadium for the rest of the show? A little after noon ET, the foursome will travel by boat and helicopter.

20m ago

Michael Dominski·

Deputy Managing Editor, Live

IShowSpeed to perform?

In addition to the unprecedented half-time show, today’s final will also feature a closing ceremony for the World Cup, which will begin 90 minutes before kick-off.

Rapper Post Malone will headline the show, which will also feature performances from Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed.

What IShowSpeed will be performing is anyone’s guess. Tom Cruise will also be making an appearance.

Closer to kick-off, Jennifer Hudson will sing U.S. national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Christopher Macchio will perform “America the Beautiful”.

2Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Argentina fans span the globe

As you can see from this snap in Kolkata, India.

These guys are performing a yagya, a special prayer to express their hopes for Argentina’s victory.

Our reporter Anantaajith Raghuraman dives into the phenomenon of support for the South American nation in Bangladesh, which borders India, below.

GO FURTHER

‘It is crazy, selfless and unconditional’: Why Bangladesh loves Argentina

34m ago

Ed Mackey·

Senior Editor, Live

Today’s main attacking threats

These two men are the leading goalscorers for our two finalists and will be tasked with leading the charge again today.

Mikel Oyarzabal has been superb for Spain, after also playing a key role at Euro 2024, while Lionel Messi is… Lionel Messi.

It feels that if Argentina are going to have a chance, the 39-year-old is going to have to play a starring role again.

Will Jeanes·

Senior Editor

This tournament could be the highest-scoring since 1958

If there are five goals in today’s final then the 2026 World Cup will have averaged exactly three goals per game.

That would be the first time a World Cup has averaged three goals per game (or higher) since the 1958 tournament (3.6).

46m ago

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Tom Cruise is here!

Seeing the Hollywood star and failing to mention him feels like Mission Impossible.

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Sounds like pretty good conditions to play football, Aaron.

Albeit maybe a little hot.

51m ago

Aaron Mentkowski·

Meteorologist

How’s the weather looking today?

A pleasant day for the World Cup final. kies have cleared out after yesterday’s storms and the smoke from the Canadian wildfires, and it will be mostly sunny today.For the 3pm ET start of the match, the temperature will be near 82F (28C), winds will be northwesterly at five to 15 miles per hour, and the humidity levels will be comfortable.

Luke Brown·

Senior Managing Editor, Live

Pope Leo XIV has been greeting people at the Piazza della Liberta in Rome today, where a number of the faithful have brought Argentina and Spain flags.

The Pope said earlier this tournament that he was rooting for the United States.

That’s because his other two favourite teams — Italy and Peru, the country where he has spent most of his life and started following soccer — had failed to qualify.

What can we expect from the half-time show?

In genuinely unprecedented scenes — rather than the standard sporting hyperbole — the interval during the World Cup final will extend beyond the usual 15 minutes and could last between 25 and 30 minutes. Alongside the introduction of hydration breaks, the first Super Bowl-style half-time show at a World Cup final represents another American influence on this tournament. Madonna, Shakira and BTS will headline the show, with Justin Bieber also among the performers. Whether the managers will extend their team talks accordingly remains to be seen.

Nancy Froston·

Senior Writer, Live

Has Messi surpassed Maradona?

One player has traditionally been revered above all others in Argentina: Diego Maradona.

Would a second World Cup triumph elevate Lionel Messi beyond his former national-team manager?

His performances at this tournament may already have done so in the eyes of some supporters.

Messi has arguably sustained excellence for Argentina over a longer period. Another victory today would strengthen his claim to be regarded as the greatest player of all time.

1h ago

Luke Brown·

Senior Managing Editor, Live

Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer is among the first to arrive at MetLife Stadium today.

Buffer, 81, is the official announcer for the World Cup final.

1h ago

Nancy Froston·

Senior Writer, Live

Do not expect to see Messi running today

It might be the World Cup final, but if this tournament has taught us anything, it is that Lionel Messi will spend much of the match walking.The challenge for Spain will be keeping track of him while he appears relatively inactive, before he suddenly comes to life and causes problems for their defence.Messi will remain heavily involved — he will simply do it at his own pace.

2h ago

George Edwards·

Sports Writer

Who is the referee?

Slavko Vincic will referee the World Cup final. It will be his first Argentina match since their shock 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the 2022 tournament.

The 46-year-old Slovenian has officiated three Spain matches, all victories at European Championship finals. They include the 2024 semi-final win over France before Spain went on to lift the trophy.

Vincic is appearing at his second World Cup and fourth major international tournament. He also refereed the 2021-22 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers and the 2023-24 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Today’s final will be his sixth World Cup match. His most recent was Ecuador’s round-of-32 defeat by Mexico, during which he sent off Piero Hincapie following a confrontation with Santiago Gimenez.

Vincic also oversaw the group-stage meetings between Brazil and Morocco and Jordan and Algeria at this tournament. At the 2022 World Cup, he refereed England’s 3-0 group-stage victory against Wales.

Vincic was in tears when he learned of his appointment at FIFA’s refereeing base in Miami on Thursday.

2h ago

Conor O’Neill·

Senior Football Writer

Where will the game be won and lost?

The final could hinge on Argentina’s ability to withstand Spain’s intense pressure.

Lionel Scaloni’s side struggled against England’s high press early in their semi-final, managing only three touches in the opposition penalty area before half-time.

Unlike England, Spain are unlikely to retreat or tire to the same extent, leaving Scaloni to devise a way through that sustained intensity.

Argentina tend to grow into matches. If they can withstand Spain’s suffocating counter-press, the final could develop into a battle for control.

Alongside the contest in midfield, the individual duels on the flanks could prove decisive.

2h ago

Melanie Anzidei·

Football Writer

Spain hope training disruption does not affect them

Spain’s final training session on Saturday was cancelled after initially being delayed when a lightning storm moved through the area.

The same weather system affected the start of Argentina’s session, held about five miles away in Morristown. Their training was delayed by approximately 45 minutes before beginning at 12.15pm.

Argentina’s players appeared unfazed by the disruption. All 23 outfield players were seen passing among themselves and appeared in good spirits during a rondo.

Conditions alternated between steady rain and torrential downpours — common summer weather for local residents in New Jersey.

2h ago

Aaron Mentkowski·

Meteorologist

What is the weather looking like for the final?

It will be another active weather day, with an Air Quality Alert in effect until this evening and a Flood Watch continuing until late tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with heavy rain potentially causing flooding in areas with poor drainage. Severe storms are also possible later this afternoon, bringing damaging winds, large hail and even isolated tornadoes.

The rain should help to clear some of the smoke from the sky. Yesterday’s rainfall may be described as “dirty rain”, a common occurrence during wildfires.

As raindrops fall through the atmosphere, smoke particles attach themselves to the water and fall to the ground through a process known as wet deposition.

When the rain dries, those particles remain and can leave brown or grey spots on windows, cars, decking and other outdoor surfaces. Prolonged rain is far more effective at clearing the air than a brief shower.

The rain is expected to ease and the sky should clear during the afternoon.

By the 3pm ET kick-off, the temperature is forecast to be around 28C (83F), with mostly sunny conditions and the thickest smoke having cleared.

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2h ago

Darren Richman·

Contributor

Will Argentina be affected by their knockout-stage exertions?

One factor that could work against Argentina is the demanding nature of their matches at this World Cup, particularly since the end of the group stage.

Cape Verde took Lionel Messi and company to extra time in the round of 32 before Argentina eventually emerged as 3-2 winners and avoided one of the greatest upsets in the competition’s history.

In the round of 16, Egypt led 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining, although Argentina recovered to win 3-2 without requiring extra time.

10-man Switzerland then took the holders to extra time in the quarter-finals, before Argentina eventually prevailed 3-1.

Lionel Scaloni’s side trailed England until late in their semi-final, but two goals in the closing stages completed another comeback and sent Argentina into a second successive final.

Spain, by contrast, have required a couple of late winners but have not been taken to extra time at this tournament.

Jordan Campbell·

Football Writer

What can Argentina learn from Scotland’s win?

Scotland set up in a 5-4-1, with their wide midfielders choosing their moments to press Spain’s centre-backs and disrupt the build-up.

After taking the lead — with both goals originating from the left — Scotland defended deeply and encouraged Spain to cross because of their limited aerial threat.Frustrating Rodri was crucial. Avoiding an indiscr

Another option is to disrupt Spain emotionally — something Argentina are capable of doing — with Rodri likely to be a particular target if they can get close enough to him.

3h ago

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Who were the last team to beat Spain in 90 minutes?

Perhaps a little surprisingly — with all due respect to Steve Clarke and company — it was Scotland.

Spain have conceded only once in seven matches at this tournament and are unbeaten in 37 games, equalling the men’s international record set by Italy. That sequence includes their penalty-shootout defeat by Portugal in the 2025 Nations League final, which officially counts as a draw.

Their run stretches back to March 2023, when Scotland beat them 2-0 at Hampden Park. No team has defeated Spain inside 90 minutes since.

3h ago

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Expect plenty of touchline antics

Our writers were asked to make some extremely specific predictions before the semi-final between England and Argentina.

This reporter predicted that an Argentina substitute would storm off the bench and onto the pitch to confront the referee over a decision.

I was half-right. Instead, Valentin Barco sprinted onto the field and celebrated in front of several England players after Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser.

John Stones gave him a small shove as he lingered in front of the defender, while Jude Bellingham clipped him around the back of the head after the match.

Spain have also shown a willingness to challenge refereeing decisions, so it would be no surprise to see similar scenes involving either side today.

3h ago

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Argentina president absent for superstitious reasons

Argentina president Javier Milei has said he will not attend today’s final because of superstition.

The 55-year-old will instead watch from the presidential residence in Olivos, north of Buenos Aires, where he has watched each of Argentina’s previous matches at the tournament.

Milei said he became too hot while wearing a jacket during the quarter-final against Switzerland and removed it, only for Argentina to concede. He promptly put it back on.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has also revealed that he steps onto the field with his right foot first.

Do you believe such rituals make a difference? What sporting superstitions can you not let go of? Join the conversation using the tab at the top of the page or email live@theathletic.com.

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

‘You talkin’ to me?’: How De Niro helped New York New Jersey secure the final

MetLife Stadium — known as New York New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup — has a charmless exterior, awkward transport links and a playing surface described by players and coaches as “dry”, “hard”, “uneven” and “a bit like artificial turf”.

When The Athletic’s team of football writers ranked all 16 venues a week into the tournament, MetLife finished last. Its aesthetics received a score of 4/10, while its transport and location scored 3/10. A return train ticket from Manhattan for a World Cup match also costs $98 (£73).

Despite those drawbacks, FIFA selected it to stage the most-watched sporting event on the planet, with the global audience expected to exceed one billion. Why?

It may have helped that Robert De Niro, a New Yorker, narrated a three-minute, 20-second video presented to a FIFA delegation.

It began with the Statue of Liberty, her torch reaching towards the sky and described as a beacon shining a light on dreams.

“We dare to dream big, really big, because that is what we do in New York and New Jersey,” De Niro, one of the country’s most celebrated actors, said in a video viewed by The Athletic.

He called the sport football rather than soccer before the video cut to the Empire State Building.

“Are we ready to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?” De Niro asked. “Come on, baby, we were born ready. Our time is now.”

Credit to Adam Crafton, Henry Bushnell and Dan Sheldon for the reporting.

3h ago

Nancy Froston·

Senior Writer, Live

Rodri will pull the strings

While Lamine Yamal often dominates the headlines with his attacking displays, Rodri is the player Spain can least afford to be without.

The Manchester City midfielder is a Ballon d’Or winner and has returned to his best after an anterior cruciate ligament injury kept him out for much of 2025.

Expect him to receive and distribute the ball under pressure while dictating the tempo of Spain’s play.

3h ago

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Which Spanish substitute might make an impact?

Alejandro Grimaldo is a tenacious, technically accomplished left-back and a set-piece specialist.

He could provide an important delivery if Marc Cucurella is booked early or Spain need greater attacking threat from that position.

Mikel Merino’s habit of making an impact from the bench is well documented, while Barcelona midfielder Gavi could also have a role after several injury-disrupted seasons.

Liverpool winger Victor Munoz offers unpredictability, while striker Borja Iglesias provides experience and a physical presence.

The 33-year-old was prolific for Celta Vigo and previously refused to represent Spain while Luis Rubiales remained president of the Spanish football federation.

Rubiales had kissed Jenni Hermoso without her consent after Spain won the 2023 Women’s World Cup and initially refused to resign.

Rubiales later stepped down and was found guilty of sexual assault and fined. Iglesias subsequently returned to the national team.

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Which surprise Argentina player could make a difference?

The experienced Nicolas Otamendi, 38, remains a threat at set pieces and could be called upon if Cristian Romero or Lisandro Martinez encounters difficulties.

Thiago Almada has lost his place in midfield but remains a creative option, while 21-year-old Nico Paz could thrive if given a cameo.

Striker Jose Manuel Lopez has been prolific for Brazilian side Palmeiras but is unlikely to feature, with Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez ahead of him in the pecking order

Nancy Froston·

Senior Writer, Live

Messi remains Argentina’s leading figure

Argentina have several players who are stars at club level, including Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, but nobody has displaced Lionel Messi as the team’s leading figure.

Messi continues to deliver on the biggest occasions, creating and scoring decisive goals. Even when Argentina’s goals come from elsewhere, he is so often involved in their construction.

If anyone can rival his importance, it is goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. But even his match-defining saves tend to be overshadowed by Messi’s contributions at the other end.

4h ago

Nancy Froston·

Senior Writer, Live

Will this be Messi’s farewell?

We do not know whether this will be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance, but time is clearly against him.

Croatia’s Luka Modric and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo are among the other great players who may have made their final appearances at the tournament.

It seems almost impossible that Messi would return in 2030, when he would be 43, but he has spent his career defying the usual expectations and conventions.

Conor O’Neill·

Senior Football Writer

What should we expect from Argentina?

Combativeness, a refusal to accept defeat and, of course, Lionel Messi.

Lionel Scaloni’s side have laboured through long stretches of matches before coming alive late on, with 12 of their 19 goals arriving after the 75th minute of normal time.

Sit off them, as England fatally did late in the semi-final, and they possess enough midfield quality to circulate the ball comfortably and create a steady stream of chances.

Their tournament-high average of 5.4 passes per possession sequence reflects that patience and composure. Those combinations are concentrated through the middle, where Messi generally operates.

Argentina have directed a smaller proportion of their passes towards the flanks than any other team at the tournament.

4h ago

Conor O’Neill·

Senior Football Writer

What should we expect from Spain?

Control, cohesion and dogged intensity without the ball.

Spain’s identity as a possession-dominant, short-passing side is well established. They have remained true to those principles throughout this tournament, averaging 63.7 per cent possession across their seven matches.

That dominance is physically and mentally exhausting for opponents, who are left chasing shadows as Spain’s technicians pass around them with precision.

But their approach is not simply about grinding teams down and waiting for gaps to appear.

Spain’s movement is dynamic, with players exchanging positions and making surging runs that pull defensive structures apart.

4h ago

Max Mathews·

Staff Writer, Live

Parallels with their 1966 meeting?

Two names stand out when looking through the team sheets from the sides’ only previous competitive meeting, at the 1966 World Cup.

For Argentina, there was captain Antonio Rattin, the powerful Boca Juniors midfielder.

For Spain, there was outside-left Paco Gento, the diminutive Real Madrid great.

And today? Argentina are again led by an influential captain, while one of Spain’s greatest threats is a brilliant winger.

Some things never change.

5h ago

Darren Richman·

Contributor

Head-to-head record

There is nothing to separate these teams historically.

Spain have won six of their 14 meetings, Argentina have also won six and the other two ended in draws.

It is worth noting that 13 of those matches were friendlies. In their only competitive meeting, Argentina beat Spain 2-1 in the group stage of the 1966 World Cup.

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5h ago

Darren Richman·

Contributor

What happened the last time these sides met?

Somewhat surprisingly, given that it took place between Spain’s two golden eras, the most recent meeting between these sides ended in a 6-1 Spanish victory.

Argentina had reached the 2014 World Cup final and the friendly formed part of both teams’ preparations for the 2018 tournament.

Lionel Messi missed the game through injury, while Isco scored a hat-trick for Spain. Both countries were subsequently eliminated in the round of 16 in Russia.

Austin Green·

Staff Writer, Live

Argentina’s journey to the final

Argentina’s road to a second consecutive World Cup final has been anything but smooth. But boy, it’s been entertaining.

The reigning champions breezed through the group stage, unfurling a team that defended tenaciously and was built to get the best out of a 39-year-old Lionel Messi, whose intelligence, passing and finishing ability has made up for his inability to run like he used to.

Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick in the opener against Algeria, broke the World Cup all-time scoring record against Austria and scored a vintage free kick against Jordan.

But then the knockouts came, and the road suddenly became much tougher. Messi scored the opener in the round of 32 against Cape Verde, but the underdog African side kept fighting back, first by equalising late in the first half.

Then, after Argentina retook the lead at the beginning of extra time, leveling the score again thanks to an absolute stunner from full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral. It took a Cristian Romero header to create an own goal off a Messi corner kick for Argentina to finally put away Cape Verde for good.

Argentina appeared on the ropes again, down 2-0 against Egypt with a third goal from the Pharaohs controversially ruled out due to a perceived foul in the build-up. Yet they waged a stunning comeback with three goals from the 78th minute to win in normal time.

They did, however, need extra time to get past 10-man Switzerland, with late goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez to avoid penalties.

And lastly, another shock comeback against a stunningly tentative England side, with an 85th-minute equaliser from Enzo Fernandez and a stoppage-time winner from Lautaro Martinez — both assisted by Messi — for a 2-1 win to return to another World Cup final.

5h ago

Austin Green·

Staff Writer, Live

Spain’s journey to the final

Spain were quickly put on notice in a 0-0 draw against minnows Cape Verde in their tournament opener, the game which made Vozinha, 40, a household name for keeping Spain’s talented attack at bay.

That turned out to be more of a sign of things to come for Cape Verde than Spain, though.

Luis de la Fuente’s side righted the ship with a 5-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia in their following match and closed off the group stage with a 1-0 win against Uruguay in Mexico.

They breezed past Austria in the round of 32 but needed late winners from substitute Mikel Merino in the round of 16 against Portugal and quarter-final against Belgium respectively.

But Spain saved their best performance for when they needed it most, dominating fellow heavyweights France in a 2-0 semi-final victory.

5h ago

John Riker·

Staff Writer, Live

Who will be the next World Cup host?

After today, the World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will be complete. Fear not – more World Cup action is on the horizon next year.

Brazil will host the Women’s World Cup in 2027, and another group of countries — Morocco, Portugal and Spain — will follow North America with a joint hosting of the 2030 Men’s World Cup.

The 2030 edition, held 100 years after the first tournament, will also see special centenary matches take place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

5h ago

John Riker·

Staff Writer, Live

Recent Golden Glove winners

Excellent goalkeeping performances are near-essential in launching a nation’s run into World Cup contention, as reflected by the recent run of winners of the Golden Glove award.

Four of the past five Golden Glove winners played on the World Cup-winning squad. Which goalkeeper will join this fine company?

• 2022: Emiliano Martinez, Argentina
• 2018: Thibaut Courtois, Belgium
• 2014: Manuel Neuer, Germany
• 2010: Iker Casillas, Spain
• 2006: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy

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6h ago

John Riker·

Staff Writer, Live

Recent Golden Boot winners

The leading goalscorer at each World Cup receives the Golden Boot — and this year’s race has been historic.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have not only emerged as the leading contenders for the award but have also become the two highest goalscorers in World Cup history, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s previous record.

Here are the Golden Boot winners from the past five tournaments:

• 2022: Kylian Mbappe (France)
• 2018: Harry Kane (England)
• 2014: James Rodriguez (Colombia)
• 2010: Thomas Muller (Germany)
• 2006: Miroslav Klose (Germany)

6h ago

John Riker·

Staff Writer, Live

Recent Golden Ball winners

Awarded to the tournament’s best player, the race for this year’s Golden Ball remains wide open and could be decided by events in today’s final.

Here are the winners from the past five World Cups:

• 2022: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• 2018: Luka Modric (Croatia)
• 2014: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• 2010: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
• 2006: Zinedine Zidane (France)

6h ago

Lukas Weese·

Staff Writer, Live

World Cup finals decided by penalties

Ah yes, penalties — the most dramatic way to decide a knockout match after 120 minutes of football.

Four matches at this World Cup have required a penalty shootout: Germany against Paraguay, the Netherlands against Morocco, Australia against Egypt and Switzerland against Colombia. Could a fifth be on the cards today?

Three previous World Cup finals have been decided on penalties.

Brazil’s victory over Italy at the Rose Bowl in 1994; Italy’s win against France in Berlin in 2006, after Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt; and, of course, Argentina’s triumph over France in Qatar four years ago.

It is a brutal way to lose but a euphoric way to win. If today’s final goes to penalties, expect plenty of drama.

6h ago

Austin Green·

Staff Writer, Live

Other awards at stake today

Remember, the FIFA World Cup Trophy will not be the only prize presented in New Jersey today.

Several individual honours will also be awarded: the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player, the Golden Boot for its leading goalscorer, the Golden Glove for its best goalkeeper and the Best Young Player award.

We will bring you the latest Golden Boot standings shortly, but several nations could be represented among today’s individual winners.

Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are the leading contenders for the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, although Messi remains in contention to claim both.

The Golden Glove also remains up for grabs, with Spain’s Unai Simon well placed to win it if he produces another strong performance today.

The same applies to 19-year-old team-mate Lamine Yamal, who has been consistently lively without producing eye-catching numbers and remains a leading candidate for the Best Young Player award.

6h ago

Lukas Weese·

Staff Writer, Live

Have Spain and Argentina ever played at a World Cup?

Yes — Spain and Argentina have met at the World Cup before.

Their only previous encounter at the tournament came during the 1966 group stage, when Argentina won 2-1.

Luis Artime scored twice for Argentina, either side of Pirri’s equaliser for Spain.

The nations have faced each other 14 times in senior internationals, with six wins apiece and two draws.

Today’s final will therefore break the deadlock in their remarkably even head-to-head record.

Why pink boots are causing problems for World Cup commentators

Pink boots are everywhere at this World Cup – much to the annoyance of play-by-play announcers. Alex Pantling / FIFA via Getty Images

By Adam CraftonJuly 16, 2026

When Vicki Sparks takes her seat in the broadcast booth for a World Cup game, she takes out her print-out of the two matchday rosters and scours the field during the warm-ups.As a commentator for the UK’s BBC Sport, one of her first steps in the stadium is to look out for any clues which may help differentiate between the stars in the match ahead. She will scribble little notes by each player’s name.Play-by-play announcers are often positioned towards the very top of vast stadiums, reducing the players to ant-like specks far below. Of course, they have already done hours of preparation, but no stone is left unturned as they seek every marginal gain from the gantry, eager to ensure that the game’s definitive moments can be called with confidence.

They look for signs of any difference between the 20 outfield players in the match: hair color, hairstyle, a wristband, a bandage, whether a player is in a short- or long-sleeved jersey and, in many cases, the color of their footwear.

Yet this World Cup has presented a unique challenge, because so many of the players are wearing pink boots. From such a distance, whether these are made by Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance or Skechers, they all look very similar. There are exceptions — including Lionel Messi’s white and pale blue Adidas cleats, or the golden pair designed by Nike for Cristiano Ronaldo — but pink footwear is pervasive at this World Cup.

Why are World Cup boots pink?

The blur of pink has also created complications for announcers such as Sparks, particularly for identifying players from those countries whose national teams are not usually followed by mainstream audiences outside major tournaments. In an expanded 48-team World Cup with increased rosters of 26 players, that leaves commentators trying to familiarize themselves with more than 1,000 individuals. That’s a lot of pink boots.“You want to get them in your head so you can immediately call it,” Sparks tells The Athletic. “The aim is to call it in the moment. Anything that can give you those marginal gains makes it easier and makes it more likely to be more accurate, which is so important as a commentator.“I’ve done some games in the World Cup at SoFi Stadium (in Los Angeles). It is an incredible venue, but you are nearly at the very top of the stadium. Those players are tiny dots running around in front of you, so you are looking for absolutely anything to distinguish. Boots are the first thing you go to, because they stand out and it is just such an easy way. It really helps if you’ve got a mix of colors, you narrow it down.”Ian Darke, who has been working on the tournament for Fox Sports, wrote on X: “Only the commentators care — but why are all the World Cup players wearing the same pink boots? Clearly commercial reasons but so dull and sameish. Don’t they come in other colours anymore?”

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Derek Rae, who has also called games for the same U.S. broadcaster during this World Cup, is more forceful, joking that “pink boots can be banished to the dustbin of history”.Rae tells The Athletic: “People always say, ‘What do you do to make sure your identification is as well-oiled as possible?’ Boot colors are a very important part of that. As soon as the teams come out, I do my writing up of the line-ups. When the players warm up, you can see me with binoculars glued to every single player, looking at their boot colors and other identifying features on that particular day. Pink is the ‘in’ color at this World Cup, much to the chagrin of every commentator, because normally we have an even spread of maybe white, black, red, orange and blue. But this time, it is not much else except pink.“I’m always grateful for the one or two who are not wearing pink. They get big capitals (by their names) with the color that they’re actually wearing!”Sparks laughs: “Leandro Trossard, who played for Belgium, started the tournament with blue boots! I was like, ‘Yes! Thank you, Trossard!’ He has a big ‘Blue’ next to him on my sheet.”For other announcers, different factors have presented obstacles in calling names.Seb Hutchinson, a commentator for ITV in the UK, also has binoculars to hand, but his preparation and visual aids focus more on hairstyle, a player’s gait and the positions they occupy on the field. He says one complication has been identifying the number on the back of player jerseys, particularly where the digits can blend in with the pattern on striped fabric.Ian Dennis, a BBC Radio 5 Live commentator, says the vantage points in NFL stadiums being used at this World Cup have created “a real test for the eyesight”. Dennis, who has been in the U.S. since England first arrived for two pre-tournament friendlies in early June, has another preparatory trick: gaming via EA FC.“At home, I normally play on my son’s game,” he says, adding that the graphics are so “lifelike” that it helps to associate player movements with the figures he calls on the field. “All I do is, for instance, play a video game simulating Borussia Dortmund against Borussia Dortmund. I literally pass the ball from player to player. I don’t play the game as such, but it’s all about number association for me.”

He continues: “Boots are normally a giveaway. But a problem I’ve found is, normally, you spot the numbers on a player during their warm-up and align them with the players early doors. That 15-minute warm-up for a commentator is absolutely crucial, because it gives you an opportunity to look for distinguishing features.

“But one thing I noticed with three or four teams is that, because of the heat at some venues, they were not wearing the kit with their numbers on to warm up, which they would tend to do back in the UK. So they’re wearing different training tops, without numbers, and different shorts. I noticed it with Saudi Arabia and with Iraq.

Not too many pink boots but no numbers as Saudi Arabia warm up to play Cape Verde in Houston on June 26.Leslie Plaza Johnson / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“It means that you can’t get that number association, which is how you identify the players. When the team sheets come out, I can normally say, ‘Right, number 15, black boots or orange boots, blond hair’, and I write it down in little thumbnail descriptions to go alongside the player.”

To Rae, however, the footwear has been the biggest challenge:

“It is obviously our job to know the players, their traits and what they look like on the ball irrespective of boot color… but it has been harder. Also, because the commentary positions in the USA are, by and large, a lot higher than we are accustomed to in Europe and further away.

“That may be a function of how things are set up for the NFL and, talking to colleagues who cover the NFL, they don’t necessarily want to be close to the action. They want to have this bird’s-eye view, as if they’re watching a chessboard in front of them. But, of course, they have spotters who help them with who’s carrying the ball and who’s made the tackle. We don’t have that in our work.

“I’ve never worked with a person who would call themselves a spotter. It’s down to our own identification. We’re always up for a challenge. It is not meant to be easy. I would say the pink boots have definitely been a little bit of a detriment this summer.”

Adam Crafton is a British journalist based in New York City, having relocated from London in 2024. He primarily covers soccer for The Athletic. In 2024, he was named the Sports Writer of the Year by the Sports’ Journalist Association, after winning the Young Sports Writer of the Year award in 2018.