Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Spain advanced following a 2-0 semifinal victory over France, while defending champion Argentina secured its place with a 2-1 win against England. The tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, featured 48 teams for the first time in its history.
A significant point of discussion during the knockout stages involved U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. After receiving a red card for a foul against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was initially issued an automatic one-match suspension. Following a public request for a review by President Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA reversed the suspension. The decision allowed Balogun to play in the Round of 16 against Belgium, though the U.S. was ultimately defeated 4-1.
The tournament also saw a notable performance by debutant Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations to qualify. The team recorded draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia before being eliminated by Argentina in the Round of 32. Off the field, the U.S. team's final match against Belgium set a domestic viewership record, averaging 30 million viewers on Fox, despite the host nation's exit from the competition.