The wait is almost over as Spain and Argentina face off on Sunday at 10 p.m. in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with more than just the trophy at stake.
The two football giants will battle for football’s biggest prize at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where a new world champion will be crowned.
Defending champions Argentina are chasing back to back titles, while Spain are hoping to lift the trophy for only the second time in their history.
Besides global glory, the winners will take home USD 50 million (about KSh6.5 billion), the biggest prize ever awarded to World Cup champions, according to FIFA.
The runners-up will receive USD 33 million (about KSh4.3 billion), while the third placed team will pocket USD 29 million (about KSh3.8 billion).
Overall, FIFA has set aside USD 655 million (about KSh84.8 billion) in prize money for the 48 participating teams, representing a 50 per cent increase from the previous World Cup.
For Argentina, victory would add another chapter to an already rich football history. Lionel Scaloni’s men are aiming to successfully defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022 and further cement their place among the world’s football powerhouses.
Spain, on the other hand, are looking to end a 16 year wait for another World Cup title after their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010. Their run to the final has underlined the rise of a new generation determined to restore the country’s dominance on the global stage.
Beyond the silverware and prize money, Sunday’s final is expected to produce another memorable chapter in the rivalry between two of football’s most successful nations.
Millions of fans across the world are expected to follow the clash as the curtain falls on the expanded 48 team tournament.
Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium, the official FIFA name for the venue known as MetLife Stadium, bringing to an end a month long tournament that has captivated football fans across the globe.
