The 2026 World Cup final pits Argentina against Spain in a clash that transcends sport, with Lionel Messi likely making his last appearance on the game's biggest stage. Sunday's match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey carries the weight of history, legacy, and a tournament that FIFA's president calls "the greatest human, social, and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed." Main Developments Argentina enters the final as the defending champions, aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. Spain, winners in 2010, seeks its second title after a near-flawless tournament campaign. The South Americans have shown remarkable resilience, coming from 2-0 down in the final minutes against Egypt in the round of 16 and mounting another dramatic comeback late in their semi-final against England. Spain, by contrast, has conceded only a single goal across seven matches and swept past France in the semi-finals. Read also: Iran Missile Targeting Jordan's Aqaba Intercepted by Israel, Jordan US President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — leaders of all three host nations — will attend the 80,000-capacity event. Tom Cruise will perform in the pre-game closing ceremony, while Madonna and Shakira headline the first half-time show in World Cup history. Background This tournament marked the first 48-team World Cup, expanding from 32 nations and stretching across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The 104-match schedule culminates in this final after weeks of competition. Messi, now 39, led Argentina to victory in Qatar in 2022 and remains the focal point of his team's ambition. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called him "a legend" who "has made history." Spain's 19-year-old winger Lamine Yamal is widely tipped as the heir to Messi's mantle, though Spain's strength has been collective rather than individual. Why It Matters This final likely represents Messi's last World Cup appearance, closing a chapter for arguably the greatest player in history. He currently trails France's Kylian Mbappe by two goals in the Golden Boot race and is one goal behind Mbappe's all-time tournament scoring record of 22. For Spain, a victory would signal a new era of dominance built on tactical discipline and youth. Captain Rodri acknowledged the challenge, saying Sunday's match "will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared." What's Next Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday evening at MetLife Stadium, with the winner claiming the World Cup trophy. On Saturday, England defeated France 6-4 to secure third place — their best finish since 1966. Mbappe, despite the loss, became the competition's all-time leading scorer with 22 goals, though he admitted, "I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow's match."