Camille Naredo

A Trionda Final ball is on display for a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the Javits Center in New York on July 17, 2026. Juan Mabromata, AFP

A Trionda Final ball is on display for a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the Javits Center in New York on July 17, 2026.  (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

Article (news)

World Cup

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784344293951AFP__20260717__C2HF34G__v1__MidRes__FblWc2026Presser.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="A Trionda Final ball is on display for a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the Javits Center in New York on July 17, 2026. Juan Mabromata, AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A Trionda Final ball is on display for a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the Javits Center in New York on July 17, 2026. <em>Juan Mabromata, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>EAST RUTHERFORD -- Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday as organizers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from wildfires in Canada.</p><p>Lionel Messi&#x27;s Argentina are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are trying to win a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.</p><p>Organizers said they were &quot;monitoring closely&quot; the smoke that has choked skies over large areas of the United States.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/7/18/wildfire-smoke-engulfs-millions-in-us-ahead-of-world-cup-final-0810">READ: Wildfire smoke engulfs millions in US ahead of World Cup final</a></div><p>&quot;There&#x27;s been discussion about it, and we have somebody with the National Weather Service that sits in FIFA headquarters there, so we&#x27;re monitoring closely,&quot; Andrew Giuliani, White House World Cup task force executive director, told a briefing.</p><p>US President Donald Trump will be among a crowd of over 80,000 spectators as the largest World Cup in history reaches its climax in the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.</p><p>It will be the only game of the tournament that Trump will have attended.</p><p>Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would also attend the final after an invitation from the American president.</p><p>Trump on Friday hailed the World Cup, also played in Mexico and Canada, as &quot;the most successful sporting event perhaps in the history of the world&quot; as he held a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>- Physical battle -</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0BFZcrv-aSk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Spain captain Rodri said he was bracing for a &quot;physical&quot; battle with Argentina and would aim to ignore any possible &quot;provocations&quot;.</p><p>Rodri, the 2024 Ballon D&#x27;Or winner, said he expected the final to be unlike any other game the European champions had faced.</p><p>&quot;I think Sunday&#x27;s match will be quite different,&quot; the Manchester City star told reporters.</p><p>&quot;It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared. But I believe that if we are known for something in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment.</p><p>&quot;So we can adapt to having to defend, counter-attacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here.&quot;</p><p>When asked if he expected Argentina to resort to &quot;provocative&quot; tactics, Rodri replied: &quot;Well, that&#x27;s a part of football.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/16/messi-magic-sends-argentina-into-world-cup-final-0654">READ: Messi magic sends Argentina into World Cup final</a></div><p>Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Messi lead out his team in another World Cup final at the age of 39.</p><p>&quot;He has made history. He is a legend,&quot; Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who helped Argentina to win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.</p><p>England arrived in Miami to play France on Saturday in the meeting of the beaten semi-finalists to determine who finishes third.</p><p>England coach Thomas Tuchel admitted that their 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final had been painful.</p><p>&quot;We have to live with this, so it&#x27;s our pain, my pain and the players&#x27; pain -- we feel the most pain of all,&quot; Tuchel said at a press conference.</p><p>&quot;And it is our scar that we carry now. It is a very painful defeat, and we have to live with this defeat, first and foremost, not the critics, not the experts, not our family members who suffer as well with us and want only the best for us, but it&#x27;s basically us.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/15/majestic-spain-stun-france-to-reach-world-cup-final-0734">READ: Spain deliver World Cup masterclass against France to reach final</a></div><p>France coach Didier Deschamps vowed that no tears would be shed as he prepares to take charge of his final World Cup match with Les Bleus.</p><p>&quot;I know that the final curtain falls tomorrow,&quot; Deschamps said on Friday.</p><p>&quot;No one here is going to cry, but I know I&#x27;ll miss the French team. For 15 years (he was appointed in 2012), I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult. &quot;</p><p>Deschamps&#x27; talented team were favorites to win a third World Cup but lost 2-0 to Spain in the semi-finals.</p>

<p>Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday as organisers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from wildfires in Canada.</p>

Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday as organisers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from wildfires in Canada.

Spain, Argentina prepare for World Cup final, Trump hails success

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Spain, Argentina prepare for World Cup final, Trump hails success

Agence France-Presse

Published July 18, 2026 11:33 AM PHT

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Updated July 18, 2026 11:37 AM PHT

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Football

FIFA

FIFA World Cup

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Argentina

Lionel Messi

United States

Donald Trump

Gianni Infantino

MetLife Stadium

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