🏟️ MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
MetLife Stadium is the shared home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets, located 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan. It will be the biggest-capacity World Cup Final stadium in tournament history. The 2026 World Cup also used it for group stage and knockout matches.
When is the World Cup 2026 Final?
The Final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Kick-off is expected around 4:00 PM Eastern Time / 9:00 PM BST / 10:00 PM CEST. FIFA will confirm the official time closer to the event.
Who is in the World Cup 2026 Final?
The two finalists are confirmed after the Semi-finals on July 14 and 15. Favourites based on tournament form:
- 🇦🇷 Argentina — Defending champions. Messi 20 WC goals (all-time record), leads Golden Boot with 7
- 🇫🇷 France — Won 2018, runners-up 2022. Beat Sweden 3-0 in R32
- 🇧🇷 Brazil — Five-time winners, Vinicius Jr leading a new generation
- 🇲🇦 Morocco — 2022 semi-finalists, eliminated Netherlands 3-2 on penalties
- 🇪🇸 Spain — Euro 2024 champions, playing fluid tournament football
Is there extra time and penalties in the Final?
Yes. If level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time is played. If still tied, penalty shootout — five kicks each, then sudden death. The World Cup Final cannot end in a draw. Notable Finals decided by penalties: 1994 (Brazil beat Italy 3–2), 2006 (Italy beat France 5–3), 2022 (Argentina beat France 4–2).
Who has won the most World Cups?
- 🇧🇷 Brazil — 5 titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
- 🇩🇪 Germany — 4 titles (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
- 🇮🇹 Italy — 4 titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
- 🇦🇷 Argentina — 3 titles (1978, 1986, 2022)
- 🇫🇷 France — 2 titles (1998, 2018)
- 🇺🇾 Uruguay — 2 titles (1930, 1950)
- 🏴 England — 1 title (1966) · 🇪🇸 Spain — 1 title (2010)
What is the World Cup Golden Ball award?
The FIFA World Cup Golden Ball is awarded to the best player of the entire tournament — voted by accredited media at the Final. It is separate from the Golden Boot (top scorer). Winning both the World Cup and the Golden Ball in the same tournament is the rarest individual achievement in football.
2022 Golden Ball winner: Lionel Messi (Argentina) — won the award and the World Cup in Qatar.
2018: Luka Modric (Croatia) — despite Croatia finishing as runners-up.
2014: Lionel Messi (Argentina) — runners-up to Germany.
2026 Golden Ball favourites:
- 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi — leads Golden Boot with 7 goals · all-time WC record 20 goals · defending champion
- 🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé — 6 goals, 2nd in Golden Boot · defending Golden Boot winner from 2022
- 🇪🇸 Lamine Yamal — 18 years old, Spain's attacking talisman · youngest player in tournament
- 🇪🇸 Rodri — controlling Spain's dominant midfield · faces Portugal R16
- 🇧🇷 Vinícius Jr — 4 goals, driving Brazil's attack
Greatest World Cup Finals ever
2022 — Argentina 3–3 France (Argentina won 4–2 on pens) — The greatest Final ever played. Mbappé hat-trick nearly stole the title. Messi's third World Cup and first as champion.
2006 — Italy 1–1 France (Italy won 5–3 on pens) — Zidane's headbutt on Materazzi in his final professional match. One of football's most unforgettable moments.
1970 — Brazil 4–1 Italy — Pelé's third title, Brazil's greatest team, the most beautiful football the World Cup has ever seen.