After Argentina defeated England and secured a spot in the second consecutive FIFA World Cup final, the stage was fully set for an exciting match. The final will take place on July 19th at 11:00 PM UAE time, where the reigning champions will face Spain, who last lifted this prestigious trophy in 2010. This match is part of the tournament that began on June 11th and concludes on Sunday.
The official ball chosen for this long-awaited confrontation is the Trionda Final. It was created exclusively for the semi-finals, bronze final, and final, and its vibrant design in gold, black, and white symbolizes the journey to the greatest football prize across all 16 host cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
In addition to the football match itself, numerous events are planned, including a Super Bowl-style show for the first time in World Cup history. Below is an overview of what to expect before, during, and after the clash between Argentina and Spain.
The event will take place on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, which has a capacity of 80,663 spectators. Previously, the match between Norway and Brazil was held here in the Round of 16.
The closing ceremony of the largest football tournament held every four years will begin with a pre-show 90 minutes before the match starts. Performers include Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, social media personality IShowSpeed, and a special appearance by superstar Tom Cruise. This will bring together some of the most famous names in music and entertainment for an unforgettable celebration before the game kicks off.
Additionally, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner Jennifer Hudson will present a special rendition of the United States anthem. FIFA has announced that fans at the stadium can actively participate in the show and should plan to arrive early, as the opening ceremony will start at 1:30 PM local time, one and a half hours before the Argentina versus Spain match. The football governing body has stated that additional artists and special guests will be announced in the coming days.
The star lineup for the first-ever World Cup semi-final show has been revealed. Organizers confirmed that the entire musical performance will last 11 minutes. Canadian superstar Justin Bieber will join Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop sensation BTS. Chris Martin of Coldplay is curating this grand spectacle, which is unprecedented for a World Cup final and has raised concerns about the length of the game break.
The show will also feature characters from 'Sesame Street' and 'The Muppets' and will support the FIFA Global Education Fund, an initiative aimed at raising $100 million for children worldwide during the World Cup. Participants also include Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy and Venezuelan classical conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Coldplay will perform in collaboration with the PS22 Chorus, a recognized elementary school choir in New York.
After the match, the captain of the winning team will receive the World Cup jointly from US President Donald J. Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Infantino stated: 'We will enjoy the final together with the president and, of course, present the trophy to the winner.' Infantino maintains close ties with Trump, having recently awarded him the newly established FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in Washington last year.
After the game, the player who scores the most goals in the FIFA World Cup will be awarded the Adidas Golden Boot. According to FIFA data, if two or more players score the same number of goals, the deciding factor will be the number of assists, determined by members of the FIFA Technical Inspection Group.
If players remain tied after accounting for assists, the total time spent in the tournament will be considered, with the player who played fewer minutes taking first place. Currently, the main contenders for the Golden Boot are: Lionel Messi of Argentina (8 goals, 4 assists), Kylian Mbappé of France (8 goals, 3 assists), Erling Haaland of Norway (7 goals, 0 assists), Jude Bellingham of England (6 goals, 1 assist), Harry Kane of England (6 goals, 1 assist), Ousmane Dembélé of France (5 goals, 2 assists), and Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain (5 goals, 1 assist).
All contenders retain a chance to change this ranking, as France will play against England just a few hours before the Argentina versus Spain final.
If you are not planning a football evening with friends in Abu Dhabi, there are many places offering everything: from giant screens and fan zones to luxurious lounges and cinema screenings. You can read the Khaleej Times article to learn more about where to watch the World Cup final in the UAE capital.
Dubai also offers many options for every type of fan, whether it's a lively fan zone, a sports bar full of supporters, or a premium dinner with big screens.
The Junior Springboks team is preparing for the U20 Rugby World Cup final against France in Tbilisi on Saturday evening. In addition to striving to win a second consecutive title, the players also plan to pay tribute to the late former South African U18 national player, Lukobo Makwedini.
The South Africans will wear black ribbons during the decisive match as a sign of respect for Makwedini. He passed away on July 10th after training with his French club AS Béziers Hérault. This emotional gesture comes amid the current champions' attempt to retain their trophy won last year.
Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele emphasized that despite the mourning, the team's focus remains on the upcoming competition. He stated: 'We are well prepared for the final match, and we are all happy to represent South Africa in the final.'
Three changes were made to the Junior Boks squad for the final in Tbilisi. One player, who plays as a hooker and is participating in the U20 World Cup for the second time, noted that the scale of the event has not been a distraction for him. He added: 'Essentially, it's a new group, and our focus is only on the game and nothing else. Our goal is to be ready to face a very strong French team that has shown its abilities by reaching the final.'
Midfielder Yaqeen Ahmed believes that South Africa's success in the tournament is due not only to talent but also to the culture formed within the team. He highly praised the work of the coaching and medical staff, noting that they create a favorable environment for all players. Ahmed stressed that the readiness of every team member to contribute, regardless of whether they are in the main squad, has been a defining characteristic of the Junior Boks campaign.
He explained that daily joint work is a team effort: those not playing in the squad help the coaches prepare the main players. The team constantly motivates and improves in every session, whether it is a training or technical meeting. Ahmed concluded: 'We have 80 minutes left in this campaign, and we will give it our absolute best. Personally, I am very grateful to be part of this group representing our country and the Junior Boks.'
The final is scheduled for Saturday at 18:30 South African time, and South Africa aims to win its second consecutive U20 Rugby World Cup title.
Captain Walsha Devi Lek believes that the team's attacking power can be a serious weapon against the Springboks, but this is only possible if the team can withstand the physical pressure expected from the two-time world champions in the match scheduled for Saturday at Kings Park.
Although it is widely predicted that the impressive South African squad will dominate the forward battle, Lek insists that Walsha demonstrated enough during his tour to challenge the Springboks in one key area.
Ahead of the upcoming confrontation, Lek stated: 'I believe our driving maul was excellent. We scored four touchdowns in two matches thanks to it, and we have already hit the Boks with its help. First, however, it is important to get into dangerous areas, their 22-meter zone, and I think our driving maul can cause them problems.'
This confidence comes despite the fact that Walsha is preparing for possibly the toughest challenge in world rugby by facing the Springboks, a team known for its strength both in scrums and collisions. Walsha's representatives admit that they are facing 'the most physical team in the world, so it is a great opportunity to test ourselves.'
Lek noted that they are aware of what to expect from the opponent: 'We know what they will bring. They are a dominant team; they will try to dominate the set-piece and create opportunities from transition. It is important for us to stay focused on ourselves. We still have a lot to prove and fix on this tour, so it's about executing our game.'
The visiting team arrived in Durban aiming to recover the loss suffered last week against Argentina, a performance that, according to Lek, was significantly below the required physical level for a test match. He emphasized: 'For us, physicality will be a huge change. I said after the match in San Juan that we were not physically strong enough and did not win those physical confrontations. This weekend we must do it. If we do not meet them physically, the situation could get out of control.'
Much of Walsha's hope for competition against the Springboks will depend on the performance of their forwards. Lek believes that the dominant squad will also reduce the load on the young defensive line. He added: 'I think the best thing we can do is dominate as a unit and give our flyhalf the ball from the front. It is much easier to play No. 10 when your team is moving forward than when it is moving backward. If we can provide a stable set-piece, break the gain line, and score meters with the ball in hand, it will be much easier for him to control the game.'
Lek is not unfamiliar with the unique challenge of the tour in South Africa, as he participated in the Walsha series in 2022, which included a famous victory in Bloemfontein. He shared his impressions: 'It is an incredible place to play rugby. You play this game to test yourself against the best, and that is exactly what we are going to do. The atmosphere is always incredible, and it is a challenge that all players look forward to.'
Nevertheless, admiration alone will not be enough for Walsha. To finish a difficult tour on a high note, Lek understands that his team first needs to match the Springboks physically before using the very weapon they believe can change the course of the competition—the attacking maul, which has become one of their most potent attacking threats.
