LIVESpain vs Argentina - World Cup final LIVE: Tom Cruise and Robbie

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Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live coverage for the latest updates as Argentina attempt to defend their crown against European Champions Spain in the World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

18:59

Here come the teams

Oh my, I wonder how those players are feeling.

Both Argentina’s and Spain’s starting line-ups are emerging from the tunnel for the biggest game of their lives.

The Argentinians were here four years ago, so they will be familiar with these feelings pre-final. Still, I bet they are more than a little nervous for what is a massive game.

Dai Dai is blasting out of the speakers, and it’s very nearly time for the national anthems in the MetLife.

I’m getting very excited, even if kick-off will be five minutes late.

18:54

Tom Cruise’s bizarre monologue

OK, they’ve lost me…

Sometimes I get the show part of games like these, but this is getting a little silly.

Songs are alright, but now we have actor Tom Cruise doing this dramatic monologue for some reason. Just get on with the game at this point, jeez.

The Argentina fans have clearly heard enough, they have started belting out chants over the top of the dramatic music.

All a bit bizarre now.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Tom Cruise speaks before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

18:54

‘Argentina will never give up’

Joe Hart, former England goalkeeper, on BBC One:

Spain will be comfortable, but do not forget the quality of Argentina. It would be lazy of us to say they are not a quality team. They have the belief. They will never ever give up.

epa13120733 Lionel Messi of Argentina (C) and teammates warm up ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final match Spain against Argentina, in New Jersey, USA, 19 July 2026. EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

18:52

Here comes the trophy

Not quite Jennifer Hudson…

I love Robbie Williams as much as the next person, but that wasn’t his best performance. Not to be too harsh, but the FIFA anthem isn’t exactly the best, which didn’t help him.

Now it’s time for the World Cup trophy to be delivered in a Louis Vuitton special case.

Andres Iniesta is there to hold it aloft… just like he did 16 years ago after scoring a dramatic winner for Spain.

Kick-off is edging ever closer.

US singer Nicole Scherzinger, British singer-Songwriter Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini perform the FIFA anthem 'Desire' during the closing ceremony of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images)

18:50

Prediction time

Now it’s time for you to have your say.

With kick-off closing in, what do you think the score of this blockbuster final is going to be?

Personally, I have Spain winning 2-1. Big call, I know.

Daily Mail’s expert writers have also had their say, and you can read their thoughts in the article below.

Explore more

Spain or Argentina? Experts predict who will win World Cup final

The reigning world champions take on the reigning European champions in Sunday’s World Cup with Argentina hoping to retain the trophy after facing Spain.

18:49

Slight delay to pre-match show

Uh-oh…

We have our first delay of the day, Jennifer Hudson has just strolled out five minutes late to start the 20-minute pre-match show. That means kick-off could well be delayed.

However, she is more than making up for it… wow.

She is belting out the US national anthem like I haven’t heard it sung in my lifetime. Absolutely phenomenal.

What a special singer. Tough act to follow for Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger.

As a Brit, though, if I know our Robbie, he could well deliver. For the Americans reading this, if you didn’t know him before, hopefully you go and listen to his stuff after this.

What a guy.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 Jennifer Hudson performs the U.S. national anthem before the match REUTERS/Mike Segar

18:45

15 minutes to go…

Right guys, surely we are all buzzing?

The warm-ups are coming to an end, and we are now just 15 minutes from kick-off.

The MetLife stadium is pretty much full to the brim now, and the atmosphere is popping off. There is about to be a pre-match show ahead of kick-off, too.

This is going to be some final, I can feel it.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina warms up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain warms up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Argentina fans cheer before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

18:41

STAT PACK: Spain vs Argentina

Yay, it’s stat pack time.

I love myself a pre-match stat pack, and once again Squawka have delivered the goods.

This graphic shows just what an exciting final we are set to watch. It’s going to be so, so entertaining.

I can’t wait.

18:39

Big queues outside stadium

Uh-oh…

The MetLife stadium is getting pretty full now, but it took a very long time for those fans to get to their seats.

There were huge lines outside the ground earlier this afternoon; just look at all the queues and crowds.

Not exactly ideal, but thankfully the majority of fans are now in.

18:38

Trump: ‘Hard to bet against Messi’

Donald Trump, US President, speaking to Fox Sports:

I would say that it’s hard to bet against Messi. I watched that pass—I guess you’d call it a pass. It was exactly perfect. Although it takes some talent to hit the ball off the head coming at that speed, but that was perfect. If you had a strike zone, it was exactly where it had to be.

And I watched also, just before that, the way he got away from the defender. He was very well defended. All of a sudden, he’s standing by himself and he kicked it perfectly. And it’s hard to bet against him. I think it’s very hard to bet against Messi. He’s great.

18:37

‘De Paul can be so effective’

Oliver Holt at the MetLife Stadium:

Rodrigo de Paul back in the starting line-up after being left out against England. England found out to their cost how effective he can be. He was one of the substitutions who changed the game as Thomas Tuchel retreated.