​Who is in the World Cup final? Here are the teams, odds, spread for 2026 FIFA championship originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.After six weeks of action, the World Cup final is mercifully before us. As expected, the matchup will feature two of international soccer’s truest sides that have enjoyed markedly different journeys to reach the sport’s pinnacle.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpain and Argentina will lock horns in the tournament’s crescendo, an apt finale to an eye-catching — and contentious — tournament like few others in recent history.The contest will feature an ensemble cast of standouts, from Lamine Yamal and Rodri to Lionel Messi and Emi Martinez. Given the stakes of the duel, you’d expect nothing less.With that, here’s what you need to know about the two sides left standing in this year’s World Cup.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsSpain vs. ArgentinaSpain will meet Argentina in the World Cup final, offering a platform for the mercurial Yamal to meet his footballing idol, Lionel Messi.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLa Roja cruised to the tournament final in style, conceding one goal in seven matches. Luis de la Fuente’s side held the high-octane attacks of Portugal, Belgium and France to precious little, all while receiving timely interventions from the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino.La Albiceleste, meanwhile, got all it could handle from African sides Cape Verde and Egypt before downing Switzerland and England in the quarters and semifinals, respectively. Messi has continued to produce vintage displays at the tender age of 39, tallying a tournament-high eight goals. He’ll look to keep his scoring run going against the world’s stoutest defense.Date: Sunday, July 18Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ETTV network: FoxLocation: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.The 2026 World Cup final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was a somewhat controversial site for this year’s tournament finale; after all, Estadio Azteca has hosted the World Cup final on two prior occasions, making it appear the more appropriate choice to house the spectacle.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMetLife Stadium has drawn ire from some who have traipsed along its surface in recent weeks, with France midfielder Adrien Rabiot calling the pasture “quite hard and quite rigid” after Les Bleus downed Senegal there earlier in the tournament.That hasn’t stopped the powers that be who manage this year’s World Cup to make the controversial colosseum the home of sport’s grandest spectacle. Only time will tell if that’s an inspired choice.Opening spread:Moneyline: Over/under: This section will be udpates onces odds are availableSpain is making its second appearance in a World Cup final. La Roja heads into the big game sporting a glistening 1-0 record in such contests. Spain bested the Net