Refresh for latest updates. Read from bottom up …
9.06pm – 1min – Thatβs kickoff – we are under way!
9.04pm –… and we await kickoff!
β½οΈ π½ππ½πΈ ππ π£ππ βπ¦π‘ ππππ π
βΆοΈ Let the game begin!
πͺπΈ π π¦π·
π¨ LIVE
π₯ Final
πΊ SABC 1 | SABC 3
π https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball#FIFAWorldCup#AllOfUsAllInKaofelapic.twitter.com/vIcnV4Oot3β SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 19, 2026
8.59pm –and thereβs the anthems.
8.57pm –… and they take the field …
8.55pm –The teams are in the tunnel …
8.45pm – Thereβs the US anthem …
8.44pm – The scene inside New York New Jersey Stadium:
The scene at MetLife Stadium 40 minutes before kickoff, as both #Spain and #Argentina warm up. The lower bowl is almost completely full, while the upper deck is too. The middle tier is still filling in. pic.twitter.com/Cc4u0WqmWv
β Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) July 19, 2026
8.15pm – The Starting XIs and how the two teams will be set out:
(And with that your blogger will take a short break, to rest his fingers [and nerves!] from the furious typing that has been, and that to come)
Here’s how Spain and Argentina line up for the World Cup final πͺπΈπ¦π·ππ
Luis de la Fuente sticks with the same Spain side that started their semi-final win over France, with Lionel Scaloni making three changes to the Argentina XI that beat England, with Gonzalo Montiel, Rodrigo⦠pic.twitter.com/8tXXqQtyUa
β BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 19, 2026
Spain and Argentina’s starting XI for the World Cup final β€΅οΈ pic.twitter.com/X2zszI8i8K
β Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 19, 2026
8.03pm – From Google AI, Al Jazeera and Fifa.com, here are some key stats on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. What stands out is Spain are the best defensive team in the tournament (1 goal conceded) and Argentina the best attacking (a record 19 scored).
Final key statistics:
Teams
Ahead of the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup final, Spain and Argentina boast balanced historical statistics alongside opposing tactical strengths.
The lifetime record between the two national teams is completely even. Their only previous World Cup meeting occurred in 1966, where Argentina won 2β1.
- Total Matches: 14
- Spain Wins: 6
- Argentina Wins: 6
- Draws: 2
The two teams reached the final showcasing entirely different team dynamics throughout the group and knockout stages.
Goals Scored: Spain 13 / Argentina 19 (tournament high)
Goals Conceded: Spain 1 (6 clean sheets) Argentina 7
Passes Completed: Spain 4,156 / Argentina 4,324Passing
Pass Accuracy: Spain 91% / Argentina 91%
Forced Turnovers: Spain 343 / Argentina 297
Total Distance Covered: Spain 799,554m / Argentina 813,091m
Individual
Lionel Messi (Argentina): Enters the final with 8 goals and 4 assists. A goal makes him the oldest scorer in a World Cup final at 39 years old.
Lamine Yamal (Spain): Leads the tournament with 30 completed dribbles. If Spain win, he becomes the joint-fourth youngest world champion in history.
7.55pm – Closing (and opening) ceremonies have changed. Soccer City/FNB Stadium on July 11 2010 in South Africa killed that.
Still, great tunes, nice vibes, colourful and getting us in the mood and the juices flowing.
This is when you know itβs a World Cup final! The most-watched match in world sport, by thousands of miles! We wait four years for this moment. The we wait again. And itβs back again!
One hour, five minutes to go! Letβs go!
β½οΈ π½ππ½πΈ ππ π£ππ βπ¦π‘ ππππ βππ π€πππ βππ£πππ ππͺ π
πΆ The #ClosingCeremony of the #FIFAWorldCup 2026!
πͺπΈ π π¦π·
π¨ LIVE
π₯ Final
πΊ SABC 1 | SABC 3
π https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball#AllOfUsAllInKaofelapic.twitter.com/WNIlF73xemβ SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 19, 2026
7.45pm – Some scenes from in an around New York New Jersey Stadium:
π΄ AsΓ se vive el ambiente en Nueva York-Nueva Jersey previo a la gran final del Mundial 2026 entre EspaΓ±a y Argentina.
πΉ Redes sociales pic.twitter.com/4yp79urMH2
β Luis Alberto Medina (@elalbertomedina) July 19, 2026
Tempo ππΉprezan nan New York New Jersey Stadium pou final Mondyal FIFA 2026 ant Ajantin ak Espay pic.twitter.com/SESgBlzJRQ
β Haiti-Tempo (@Haititempo) July 19, 2026
La aficiΓ³n ya llega al estadio de la gran final de la Copa del Mundo 2026 πβ½ξοΈ
π¨ Los filtros para ingresar y el nΓΊmero de elementos es impresionante en el New Jersey – New York Stadium ποΈ pic.twitter.com/UVQwUscAPY
β De10Sports (@De10Sports) July 19, 2026
πͺπΈ Β‘La Marea Roja ya estΓ‘ en las inmediaciones del MetLife Stadium de Nueva Jersey!
π£οΈ Los aficionados cantaron ‘El novio de la muerte’ en su travesΓa al estadio pic.twitter.com/UA1trwOIoi
β VozpΓ³puli (@voz_populi) July 19, 2026
7.43pm – Yes, thatβs the closing ceremony under way …
7.36pm –… which is set to be short and sweet, a la the opening ceremony in Mexico City 39 days ago …
7.35pm – Apparently the closing ceremony is set to begin in New Jersey …
7.28pm – A quick relocation by your blogger, from his living room to IT Corner in Melville (fears over his streaming crashing at home) … and, what the heck, nothing wrong with a bit of an atmosphere for a World Cup final.
One hour 31 minutes now to the greatest game in football. Excitement mounting …
7.07pm – From Sky Sports News, South American Football expert Phil Vickery βdissects the World Cup final showdown between Argentina and Spain, weighing in on what a win would mean for Lionel Messiβs legacyβ:
π£οΈ “If Messi can pull it off, I don’t think there’s any doubt.”
South American football expert Tim Vickery dissects the World Cup final showdown between Argentina and Spain, weighing in on what a win would mean for Lionel Messi’s legacy π pic.twitter.com/Q6rcH73iGU
β Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 19, 2026
7.05pm – From Sky Sports News, what the two finalist teamsβ fans have to say in New Jersey:
Argentina and Spain fans look ahead to today’s World Cup final in New Jersey π pic.twitter.com/2Xa6WDj32V
β Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 19, 2026
6.37pm – From the BBC … How the World Cup Final will be WON & LOST … a really good deep tactical breakdown:
6.01pm – And a little more video:
The defending Champions & the challengers. #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/NzuPaVmxM2
β FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
The last #FIFAWorldCup Final was absolute cinema πΏ pic.twitter.com/Um1GfqujAG
β FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
La Albiceleste are looking to join an exclusive club on Sunday night ππ‘οΈ
Can they go back-to-back? Find out on SuperSport with coverage starting at 18:30 (CAT) πΊ#SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/4IO1rmXfXr
β SuperSport Football β½οΈ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
5.39pm – Here is some video building up to the final:
Mikel Merino couldnβt believe Lionel Messiβs photo with a young Lamine Yamal was real! π pic.twitter.com/Wc7AGW9izc
β Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 17, 2026
Michael Owen and Emile Heskey give their predictions for the World Cup final πͺπΈπ¦π· pic.twitter.com/FxyFz0xyck
β Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 17, 2026
La Furia Roja are focused π€πͺπΈ
Can they add a second star to their crest in New Jersey tonight? ββ#SSFootballl | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/p33vVPoMv4
β SuperSport Football β½οΈ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
Listen to the noise π
The Argentinian fans went crazy when Lautaro Martinez scored his stoppage-time winner against England π₯³π#SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/ooZq5mZRsp
β SuperSport Football β½οΈ (@SSFootball) July 19, 2026
Argentina fans have taken over Times Square the night before the 2026 World Cup Final π¦π· pic.twitter.com/lj83pB7WaL
β Ultras Clips (@ultras_clips) July 19, 2026
π¨ The first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show will feature performances from:
π¨π΄ Shakira
πΊπΈ Madonna
π¨π¦ Justin Bieber
π»πͺ Gustavo Dudamel
π¬π§ Coldplay
π³π¬ Burna Boy
π°π· BTS pic.twitter.com/9EyFC0Wtb1β Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) July 18, 2026
5.34pm – Here are the match officials for the final:
- Referee: Slavko VinΔiΔ (Slovenia)
- First assistant referee: TomaΕΎ KlanΔnik (Slovenia)
- Second assistant referee: AndraΕΎ KovaΔiΔ (Slovenia)
- Fourth official: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
- Reserve assistant referee: Mohammad Al-Kalaf (Jordan)
- Video assistant referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany)
- Assistant VAR: NicolΓ‘s Gallo (Colombia)
- Support VAR: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
5.29pm – To start: here are some match facts:
- 3pm in New Jersey, 9pm South Africa time
- New York New Jersey Stadium
From Wikipedia: βMetLife Stadium, temporarily known as New York New Jersey Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is a multi-purpose stadium located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 8km west of New York City. Opened in 2010, it replaced Giants Stadium and serves as the home for the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). At an approximate cost of $1.6bn, it was the most expensive stadium built in the US at the time of its completion.β
- 82,500
- 1.30pm in New Jersey, 7.30pm SA time
- Post Malone (headliner), Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed
In US Superbowl style, there will be a half time show for the World Cup final for the first time in history. That means half time will be 17 minutes long rather than the standard 15 minutes.
- Performers: Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS
- SABC 3 and SuperSport channel 202, Streamed on SABC+ and DStv Stream
5.15pm –And here we are.
From Bafana Bafanaβs 2-0 defeat kickoff match against Mexico at the Azteca on June 11, way back 39 days ago now, 103 matches later, 48 teams have been whittled down to two for the 104th and biggest match of them all, the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The semifinals were one engrossing (Spain muscling out tournament favourites France), one thrilling and fiery (Lionel-Messi inspired Argentina beating heated rivals England by staging a stunning comeback).
And that leaves us with this monumentally huge clash at New York New Jersey Stadium (9pm SA time) where coach Luis de la Fuenteβs 2010 champions Spain meet the defending champions and three-time winners (1978, 1986 and 2022) in coach Lionel Scaloniβs Argentina.
The game, of course, features the <a href="https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/sport/2026-07-17-messi-plans-grandest-exit-yamal-who-argentine-bathed-as-a-baby-to-announce-he-is-the-future/” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>fascinating subplot of the contest between 39-year-old Messi, seeking to write his name further into football immorality; and the future of the game, Spainβs 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, inheritor of Messiβs No 10 jersey at Barcelona who has been breaking the Argentineβs records at junior and senior level.
I am your LIVE UPDATES BLOGGER, Arena Holdings Digital and TimesLIVE sports editor Marc Strydom. I am not in New Jersey Stadium but in my living room in Melville Johannesburg but will endeavour to bring you the blow-by-blow build-up and action like I was there.
The World Cup final, ladies and gentleman! Thereβs nothing else quite like it! Not even by a hundred miles.
Pull up your various beverages, get the popcorn and hotdogs ready in your lounges. TV rooms, living areas, restaurants, bars, taverns and shebeens.
Love and sap up every kick, VAR drama, Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino faux pas and every moment. Here we go. One of the worldβs greatest sporting spectacles is just a few hours away.
Enjoy!
πͺπ¦ππ¦π· This is where the World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina will be played. MetLife Stadium in the USA, which has a capacity of 82,500. πποΈ#EspaΓ±a#fifaworldcuppic.twitter.com/gni5UwKPMp
β G@vin (@Gavin22j) July 19, 2026
β FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 19, 2026
- World Cup pagehere
- Star player profileshere
- Bafana newshere
