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Spain and Argentina met in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the men's football tournament held this year across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the deciding match staged at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. The two countries are among the sport's most successful, and a meeting between them at this stage of the competition was always likely to draw huge global interest.

The occasion attracted an unusually high number of political and entertainment figures. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while entertainment stars such as Brad Pitt and David Beckham were also present, reflecting the final's role as both a sporting fixture and a wider cultural event.

Beyond the football itself, the final featured a significant entertainment programme, including remarks from actor Tom Cruise, the national anthem performed by singer Jennifer Hudson, and FIFA's first-ever halftime show, bringing together a large group of well-known musicians. This combination of sport, celebrity and spectacle set the final apart from previous World Cup deciders.