NEW YORK (Realist English). The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is entering its final stretch. On Saturday, July 18, the third‑place playoff between England and France will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (kick‑off at 00:00 Moscow time).
On Sunday, July 19, the final between Spain and Argentina will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (kick‑off at 22:00 Moscow time).
Third‑Place Playoff: Battle of Disappointed Favourites
England and France meet in a match that, by common admission, neither side wanted. Both teams entered the tournament as main favourites but fell in the semi‑finals: England lost to Argentina (1–2), conceding two late goals, while France lost to Spain (0–2).
Despite the disappointment, the match carries several storylines:
- Golden Boot — Kylian Mbappé (8 goals) and Lionel Messi (8 goals) are tied at the top of the scoring charts. Mbappé has a chance to overtake Messi, but the Argentine holds the advantage on tie‑breakers (4 assists to 3). However, Messi will have his response in the final. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham each have 6 goals.
- Deschamps’ Farewell — For France head coach Didier Deschamps, this is his final game in charge after 14 years at the helm. Defender Ibrahima Konaté said the players want to “repay the coach” with a win. Deschamps himself stressed: “We have responsibilities. I have them, my staff have them, and the players have them too. We are responsible for wearing this shirt for all French people.”
- Tuchel Under Fire — England manager Thomas Tuchel has faced heavy criticism for his defensive tactics after taking the lead in the semi‑final. He acknowledged that the players carry “scars” from such a defeat but insists the third‑place match is a chance to show character and secure England’s best result in 60 years.
According to the Opta supercomputer, France are favourites with a 50.7% probability of winning in regulation time (England have 25.6%).
Final: Spanish Control vs. Argentine Will
On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, the two best teams on the planet will face off. Argentina, the defending world champions, are playing in their seventh final and could become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back‑to‑back titles. Spain have reached the final for the first time since 2010 and are aiming for their second trophy in history.
Spain approach the final with perfect stats: no losses (6 wins and a draw), 13 goals scored, and just 1 conceded. Luis de la Fuente’s side have never trailed in any match at the tournament and set a record by becoming the first team in World Cup history to keep clean sheets in six matches. Their unbeaten run in regular time has reached 37 matches. Midfielder Rodri, Spain’s key figure, has completed 655 accurate passes — more than any other player at World Cups since 1966.
Argentina have won all 7 matches at the tournament and boast the most potent attack with 19 goals. On their way to the final, the Argentines have navigated three dramatic matches: extra‑time wins over Cape Verde and Switzerland, as well as comebacks against Egypt and England. The 39‑year‑old Lionel Messi, for whom this final is almost certainly his last World Cup appearance, remains capable of deciding matches in crucial moments.
Tactically, Spain rely on possession and pressing, while Argentina lean on experience, mental resilience, and Messi’s ability to turn the game in key moments. Experts agree that the Spanish will start aggressively, but the Argentines have proven throughout the tournament that they always find a way back.
Force Majeure Factor: Wildfires
Organisers are closely monitoring the situation with wildfires in Canada, whose smoke is causing haze in the New York and New Jersey area. However, FIFA has confirmed that it does not plan to relocate the final. The closing ceremony will feature Post Malone, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed, while Jennifer Hudson will perform the US national anthem.
The final weekend of the 2026 World Cup promises to be the culmination of a tournament that has already entered history thanks to unexpected results and dramatic twists. For Messi, this is almost certainly his last chance to lift the World Cup trophy; for Spain, it is a chance to reclaim the status of the world’s best team after 16 years.
The third‑place match between England and France, for all the disappointment on both sides, remains a meeting of two giants — and for one team it will be a consolation prize, while for the other it will raise new questions.
