Today's match:
Live updates:
00:23 CET - We sign off as Spain get ready to lift the World Cup trophy. For those who have been with us tonight or over the past five weeks - thank you for your company.
We will, of course, bring you analysis, opinion and reaction from tonight's final, whilst look out for our wrap-up of the tournament over the coming days.
Congratulations to Spain - world champions once more.
00:16 CET - As we await the trophy lift from Spain, let's take a quick breath to look at their manager Luis de La Fuente. Appointed from their coaching academy, he has now won it all as the national team coach. A quite incredible rise to the top.
00:06 CET - Some unsavoury scenes at the final whistle, which has seen Leandro Paredes get a straight red card for violent conduct.
00:02 CET - SPAIN ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Ferran Torres' goal in extra time has seen Spain lift their second-ever World Cup, their first since 2010, in a final where they were the only team willing to win the game.
Argentina did not lay a glove on their opponent until it was too late, and much will be made about Enzo Fernandez's reckless and totally avoidable red card for two yellows.
None of that will be much concern to the Spanish side as they celebrate on the pitch.
23:57 CET - Pressure, finally, from Argentina, as Guiliano Simeone fires over from inside the box. Two big chances have come and gone in the last minute for the reigning champions. Is that it for them?
23:54 CET - Sound the klaxon, Argentina have had their first shot in the 116th minute, and it comes from Lionel Messi, who thunders one into the face of Mikel Merino.
In truth, Messi has been a non-factor in this anti-football performance from the South Americans.
23:50 CET - Ferran Torres has the ball in the net once more, but the official's flag is up, and Argentina live to fight another day.
23:42 CET - GOAL FOR SPAIN! It's Ferran Torres!
The dam is broken! Spain have the lead in the World Cup final! A lovely header at the back post from Nico Williams finds the onrushing Torres, who makes no mistake with the half volley.
23:39 CET - Half-time in extra time, and we are still awaiting our first goal, as well as our first shot from Argentina. It's getting heated in New Jersey with tempers rising. Will we have a winner with 15 minutes remaining?
Emi Martinez, it should be said, has now made 11 saves - the most in a World Cup final.
23:33 CET - Final change of the game for Argentina, with Julian Alvarez coming off for defender Marcos Senesi. It's his first minutes of the tournament as Lionel Scaloni looks to shut up shop.
It nearly backfires immediately as Mikel Merino heads just wide. Three minutes from the extra time break - it feels a long, long time ago that Justin Bieber was playing.
23:28 CET - Spain have the ball in the net, but it has been disallowed! Mikel Merino appears to step on Nicolas Otamendi in the process, and we remain goalless.
It looked soft on the replay, but VAR has checked it, and we go on.
Two changes for Spain, as Eric Garcia and Martin Zubimendi come on for Rodri and Aymeric Laporte.
23:25 CET - Emi Martinez is single-handedly keeping Argentina in this final. He reacts brilliantly to save Nico Williams' point-blank header to keep it goalless. He may need to have the game of his life to retain the World Cup.
23:21 CET - Back underway for extra time - 30 more minutes to decide the winner of the 2026 World Cup.
It's not the final we deserved, but maybe, just maybe, we will have some proper drama.
23:16 CET - The last kick of the game falls to Lamine Yamal, who has a good chance from a free-kick, but Emi Martinez, as he has been all game, is equal to it. We are going to extra time.
23:10 CET - Enzo Fernandez is sent off!
A late challenge sees the Argentinian midfielder sent off, and he tries to take Marc Cucurella with him for covering his mouth. The referee is having none of it, and the Argentines' job has just been made tougher.
23:08 CET - Four minutes of added time at the end of this poor spectacle. Can someone, anyone, find a winner?
23:03 CET - Argentina have shown zero ambition in this final, as they continue to soak up Spain pressure, fouling tactically where they can. Ferran Torres gets in behind, only to shoot wide on the volley. Extra time is looming.
23:00 CET - Into the final 10 minutes, and Enzo Fernandez picks up a yellow for dissent - it's a surprise it took that long.
22:55 CET - Two more shots batted away from Emi Martinez - he is currently keeping Argentina in the final with a current Flashscore rating of 8.4. The Aston Villa goalkeeper has made seven saves in the final.
22:53 CET - More movement from the bench, rivalling that on the pitch, as Mikel Merino and Nico Williams enter the fray for Dani Olmo and Alex Baena.
22:47 CET - Argentina are out of substitutes as Cristian Romero is forced off through injury, meaning Argentina have just one of their starting back four left on the pitch. The Tottenham Hotspur player is replaced by Facundo Medina, whilst Guiliano Simeone is on for Rodrigo de Paul.
22:44 CET - The best chance of the half falls to Ferran Torres. His header is well saved by Emi Martinez as his Argentina team continue to sink deeper towards his goal. It's the final hydration break of the World Cup, everyone.
Lionel Scaloni's side have not had a shot in this game as of yet.
22:39 CET - Spain roll the dice from the bench with Mikel Oyarzabal and Fabian Ruiz coming off for Pedri and Ferran Torres.
22:34 CET - Spain are threatening once more with two lovely moves, snuffed out by last-ditch interceptions.
Argentina make their third change, bringing on Nahuel Molina for Gonzalo Montiel. A like-for-like change at the back as they look to keep the Spaniards at bay.
22:28 CET - A lot of reaction on social media about the state of the pitch for the final. It looks incredibly worn, which may be why both sides are struggling for fluency. It probably didn't help having a concert on it at half-time either.
Back to the football, and Leandro Paredes, just on the pitch, is in the book for shoving over Dani Olmo. He's lucky that the referee is lenient as he continues to argue his case following the booking. Paredes is now walking a fine line for the rest of the game.
22:23 CET - Spain out the traps quickly as Argentina look like they're still listening to Justin Bieber in the changing rooms. They lose it high, allowing Alex Baena to take a shot, but Emi Martinez is behind it.
22:21 CET - Twenty-six minutes since the end of the first half, the players are back out on the pitch for the second half, the sideshow to the entertainment.
Argentina have made a change at the break, bringing on Leandro Paredes for Nico Gonzalez.
22:14 CET - Mercifully, the show is over, so we can return to the... show.
22:11 CET - In a 'normal' world, we would be kicking off the second half. Instead, we have Shakira and Burna Boy performing the official World Cup song.
22:08 CET - K-Pop band BTS get a decent ovation, as does Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, who introduces Justin Bieber, playing an acoustic song to really help with the lacklustre atmosphere. Just a reminder, this is the World Cup final.
22:05 CET - The half-time show has begun with Madonna being driven in a car by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The Muppets are now 'playing' Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. Yep.
21:55 CET - Half-time at New York/New Jersey Stadium, and we are goalless.
It's been a poor first half with the least amount of shots - three - in a World Cup final first half since records began in 1966.
Lionel Messi has been anonymous too, with just 15 touches so far.
You feel something has to give in the second half, we hope.
21:49 CET - Spain now taking full control. Marc Cucurella is the next player to try his luck, putting his shot just wide with Emi Martinez scrambling.
Meanwhile, it's the end of the road for Lisandro Martinez. He goes down with an injury and is replaced by Nicolas Otamendi to partner up with Cristian Romero - the pairing that won the World Cup four years ago.
If you're struggling for entertainment in the game, don't forget we have a SuperBowl-esque half-time show to come. What a treat for us all.
21:46 CET - We do have our first yellow of the game, and it goes to Lisandro Martinez, as he brings down Rodri, who was looking to spring a counter.
21:44 CET - Spain just starting to ramp up the pressure, pinning Argentina back into their own half as they recycle the ball. It breaks to Mikel Oyarzabal outside the box - the strike is pure, but not good enough to beat Emi Martinez.
That's our second shot of the game, whilst Argentina are yet to have a touch inside the Spain box, five minutes before the break.
21:36 CET - A lot of talk during the tournament about how hydration breaks have broken up momentum. This final has not had that issue, given that there is not much momentum to speak of. The atmosphere also feels slightly lacklustre as the fans watch Lamine Yamal try and slide in Dani Olmo to no avail.
21:31 CET - We've reached the penultimate hydration break of the World Cup - huzzah - and it has been, so far, a game that has not lived up to the grandeur of the occasion. Just one shot so far from either side.
21:22 CET - First chance to get bodies in the box for Argentina, but Rodrigo de Paul - reinstated back to the starting XI today - floats a free-kick over everyone.
21:17 CET - More than 100 passes already completed by Spain in the opening 10 minutes, as Rodri takes control of the game, as expected.
His side have a corner too, floated to the back post to Dani Olmo, but he can't control.
21:11 CET - He should score! Dani Olmo sets Lamine Yamal free in behind the Argentina defence, but the shot from the Spanish teenager is weak.
The game has sparked into life now. At the other end, Unai Simon has to dash 30 metres to clear the ball from an onrushing Lionel Messi.
21:09 CET - We're expecting a tactical battle today, with Argentina likely to be more conservative than they were against England.
Spain are not pressing too high or too aggressively in the opening moments, as both teams try to feel each other out.
21:06 CET - After all the build-up, all the talk, all the ceremony, the World Cup final is underway!
Hard to judge who will have the advantage in the stands, but the Argentine fans seem to be outnumbering the Spanish so far.
These two have only met once competitively, at the 1966 World Cup, where Argentina won 2-1 at Villa Park. Will history repeat tonight?
20:57 CET - Here we go then, the players are entering the arena...
20:52 CET - Just minutes before kick-off, Tom Cruise is performing something akin to a poem, looking like he's just been pulled from the street.
Just a reminder, this is the World Cup final.
20:48 CET - Flashscore's Fabio Russomando is at the game and has spoken to former Chile international Ivan Zamorano.
Speaking about the final, he said: "Very close, they are two different styles: One with more ball possession, more static; Argentina more heart, more character. They are two totally different things, so maybe it will be a bit of a closed game, but we love football and we hope for a spectacular game."
20:45 CET - Jennifer Hudson is now on the pitch to perform the US national anthem, a team that did not make the final.
President Donald Trump is in attendance today in New Jersey, sitting, unsurprisingly, next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
20:40 CET - Just 20 minutes to go until kick-off, who will be the hero tonight?
20:30 CET - This game is full of narrative, but one lesser-known is the relationship between the two coaches, Lionel Scaloni and Luis de La Fuente.
De La Fuente was Scaloni's teacher when the Argentinian was getting to grips with coaching, and now they meet on the biggest stage of them all.
Flashscore's Anna Carreau charted the pair's rise to stardom.
20:20 CET - Forty minutes to go until kick-off, and the players are starting to make their way onto the pitch for the warm-ups.
It's a familiar feeling for Argentina's players. Eight of them started the 2022 final against France, a game they would win on penalties despite the efforts of Kylian Mbappe.
For Spain, seven of their XI started the EURO 2024 final against England, where they won 2-1. Both of these teams are full of big-time players.
20:02 CET - Let's take a moment to focus on Lionel Messi.
Reams have been written about the maestro; he already has so many records, and he adds another one to the list tonight.
As the game kicks off, he will become the second player, alongside Cafu to play in three World Cup finals as well as the oldest outfield player to feature in this game.
He also needs two goals to join Kylian Mbappe on 10 goals and share the Golden Boot.
19:49 CET - As a quite clearly lip-syncing Post Malone brings a little more star power to the stage, we do now have our confirmed lineups for the final.
As expected, Spain are unchanged, whilst Argentina do make those three changes we indicated earlier.
Nico Gonzalez does get the start for Lionel Scaloni's men in place of Leandro Paredes.
As expected, plenty of famous faces are making their way into the stadium. Novak Djokovic, Spike Lee and Joan Laporta have all been spotted by Flashscore, whilst PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi is also in attendance.
19:40 CET - It's been a long and winding road to the final for both sides. Spain, the reigning European champions, started slowly, drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde before topping their group. Wins against Austria, Spain and Portugal set them up against France in the semis, where they were too good for the 2018 champions. They have won their last six games in a row.
For reigning champions Argentina, it's been a tougher route. They picked up all nine points in the group, but they needed extra time to see off a spirited Cape Verde side. They were 2-0 down against Egypt before a stunning comeback saw them into the last eight. They needed extra time to see off the 10 men of Switzerland before battling back to beat England.
If they win tonight, they will be the first team since Brazil in 1962 to regain the trophy.
Back to New York, and the opening ceremony has begun in a half-empty stadium. Streamer IShowSpeed is currently performing his World Cup song, Champions, to a barely receptive audience.
19:28 CET - As we await confirmed team news, let's look at the person chosen to oversee the contest.
Slavko Vincic was very emotional after it was announced he would be refereeing the final - the Slovenian has officiated three games at this World Cup, but none since the round of 32 clash between Mexico and Ecuador.
19:20 CET - More than one billion people are expected to tune in around the world for the final, with watch parties springing up in every corner of the globe in anticipation for the clash.
Naples, unsurprisingly, is awash with blue and white shirts - supporting the national side of Diego Maradona, their idol.
19:10 CET - Argentina's team news has also been 'leaked' with Fabrizio Romano stating that they have made three changes from their win over England.
Rodrigo de Paul and Gonzalo Montiel are in for Giuliano Simeone and Nahuel Molina, but we will wait to give you the confirmed XI.
19:04 CET - Spain have started their day in unorthodox fashion, by announcing their team two hours before kick-off. That is the only surprise from the social media post, with Luis de La Fuente naming the same starting XI from their semi-final win against France.
18:37 CET - We are getting closer and closer to kick-off, and it's turning into a bit of a logistical nightmare outside New York/New Jersey Stadium - aka MetLife Stadium.
Flashscore is on the ground at the stadium, with our colleagues reporting that the queues are huge for those trying to get in.
FIFA have advised fans to get to the stadium four hours before the game, with some reports indicating tickets are not working, whilst others are being sent to the wrong entrance.
Let's hope those with tickets to the game have a smooth entrance.
16:35 CET - The battle of the final has been cast as Lamine Yamal vs Lionel Messi, the old sage against the young pretender.
As many of you will know, these two first crossed paths more than 19 years ago, when Lamine Yamal was just a baby.
Here, we speak to the man who brought them together and how fate conspired to bring them together on the world's biggest stage.
14:52 CET - Given they've both qualified for and reached the knockout stages of so many World Cups, it may be a surprise to some that this will only be the second time Spain and Argentina have met at the tournament. Their previous clash came in 1966, with Argentina prevailing 2-1.
They have met in plenty of non-competitive matches since then, though, and Spain have had the edge in recent times, winning three of the last four friendlies.
As the holders of the European Championship and the Copa America, the two nations were also meant to meet in the Finalissima in Qatar earlier this year, but the game was called off due to the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.
13:53 CET - Get ready for the final in New Jersey with some of our best features via the links below:
Spanish possession meets Messi magic: Tactical trends ahead of final
Scaloni vs De la Fuente: Student faces master in World Cup final
Rocafonda dreaming of glory for Spain & hometown hero Lamine Yamal
EXCLUSIVE: Former Spain international Nolito gives his thoughts on final
12:50 CET - Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, as Spain and Argentina go head-to-head for football's greatest prize.
It promises to be a historic affair at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, with Lionel Scaloni's side looking to become only the third-ever nation to achieve back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
As for Spain, Luis de la Fuente's men stand on the brink of history themselves as they're unbeaten in 37 matches in regulation time (W27, D10), and extending that further today would see them secure the longest-ever unbeaten run by a European nation.
With plenty of time until kick-off, why not read our in-depth preview of the match or watch the video preview below:
FIFA World Cup 2026 final
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19th, with kick-off at 21:00 CET. Defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain are set to go head-to-head for football's biggest prize.
World Cup final: All you need to know | Full World Cup schedule | Knockout bracket | How to watch the World Cup | World Cup Format | Past winners of the tournament