There is no bigger occasion in football, and on 19 July the eyes of the world will be drawn towards New York New Jersey Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ final.
The showpiece between Spain and Argentina promises to be a thrilling spectacle, and ahead of the 104th contest of the biggest World Cup ever FIFA casts an eye back over the drama that has already unfolded at the historic venue.
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Group stage | 13 June
One of the most eagerly-anticipated games of the group stage didn’t disappoint, as Morocco — who became the first African nation to progress to a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022 — went toe-to-toe with five-time champions Brazil. Ismael Saibari gave the Atlas Lions the lead with a delicious looped effort midway through the first half, but Vinicius Junior struck back with a characteristically skilful attempt before half-time to ensure the points were shared.
France 3-1 Senegal
Group stage | 16 June
Senegal produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history when they defeated France in the opening game at Korea/Japan 2002, but the feat wasn’t to be repeated in this encounter as Kylian Mbappe struck twice — in the process becoming France’s all-time leading scorer — and Bradley Barcola also got his name on the scoresheet for Les Bleus. Ibrahim Mbaye lashed in a fierce reply for Senegal, but it was to prove no more than a consolation.
Norway 3-2 Senegal
Group stage | 22 June
Another contest to which Senegal contributed so much but ultimately left empty-handed, as Erling Haaland continued a remarkable scoring run with his second double of the competition. Ismaila Sarr struck in-between Haaland’s second-half brace and again deep into injury time, but with Marcus Holmgren Pedersen having also registered for Norway it was the Europeans who were celebrating at full-time.
Ecuador 2-1 Germany
Group stage | 25 June
Having picked up just one point from their first two games without even finding the net, this daunting fixture was do or die for Ecuador — and do they very much did. Their task wasn’t made any easier when Leroy Sane gave an already-qualified Germany the lead in just the second minute, but Nilson Angulo lashed home an equaliser shortly afterwards. Gonzalo Plata then completed a famous comeback for Sebastian Beccacece’s side, prodding in from close range to send Ecuador into the Round of 32.
Panama 0-2 England
Group stage | 27 June
With progression already assured and Panama proving a tricky and highly motivated opponent as they went in search of their first goal of the competition, England laboured for spells in their Group L finale. As was to become a recurring theme as the tournament progressed Jude Bellingham made the difference though, opening the scoring himself and then providing an assist for Harry Kane five minutes later — the latter becoming England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer in the process.
France 3-0 Sweden
Round of 32 | 30 June
France were back in New York New Jersey in the Round of 32, and Mbappe was back amongst the goals as he moved outright second in the all-time World Cup scoring charts. The Real Madrid superstar went close on several occasions before breaking the deadlock with a delightful finish just before half-time, and Barcola doubled Didier Deschamps’ side’s lead shortly after the restart. Mbappe then wrapped things up with another clinical strike, his 18th in total at the World Cup.
Brazil 1-2 Norway
Round of 16 | 5 July
Another historic occasion at New York New Jersey Stadium, as Norway secured safe passage to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time at the expense of the tournament’s most successful nation. It was unsurprisingly Haaland who delivered the killer blows, with his bullet header and lethal pile-driver drawing him level with Mbappe and Lionel Messi on seven goals in the race for the adidas Golden Boot. Neymar bowed out with an injury-time penalty, but it was too little too late for Brazil.
Spain v Argentina
Final | 19 July
And now it all comes down to this. The reigning European champions and the reigning world and South American champions will go head-to-head in New York New Jersey to claim the greatest prize of them all. Will Spain lift the famous trophy for the second time, or will Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive editions of the World Cup?
