After a month of competition across North America and 103 matches, the 2026 World Cup is down to its final game. Spain and Argentina will meet this afternoon in a match expected to draw over one billion viewers around the world. 

Spain is hoping its well-oiled machine and young star can bring it its second World Cup win. Argentina is looking to Lionel Messi, its longtime star, to secure victory in what could be his last game at the World Cup.

On today’s episode, Tariq Panja traces the road to this historic final and explains what to know before kickoff.

Tariq Panja, a global sports correspondent for The New York Times.

Background Reading

Why Everyone Cares About This World Cup

 

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