After 103 matches and five unforgettable weeks, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its culmination—the final showdown. In this decisive match, Spain will face reigning champions Argentina for the main trophy of world football.
It is estimated that around 2.5 billion viewers are expected to watch the final match. The Spanish national team, known as La Roja, aims to win its second World Cup title, while La Albiceleste will fight to retain the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022.
A special CGTN stream accompanies the countdown to this grand event, which will take place in New York, marking the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Argentine national team defender Christian Romero addressed his teammates and fans on the eve of the 2026 World Cup final.
Romero wrote on his social media, expressing gratitude to all Argentinians, regardless of their location. He stated: 'Once again, until the last minute we will defend these colors. Being part of this wonderful family is a real happiness.'
He emphasized that the team and family, which decided to fight together, make them stronger after every training session, every effort, and every step. Romero thanked all Argentinians, adding that the support of the fans will give them strength for the next day.
Concluding his message, he wrote: 'Once again, we are all together. Forward, Argentina!'
The president of the Turkish club Beşiktaş, Serdal Adalı, confirmed that negotiations with Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah, former Liverpool winger, are still underway.
According to information published by the newspaper Hürriyet, Adalı stated that significant progress has been made in discussions with Salah, but the deal is not yet finalized. He noted that a final decision on signing Salah has not been reached.
Serdal Adalı added that after media reports surfaced about the completion of the deal, the player's agents changed the financial terms, attempting to inflate them to astronomical figures. The club rejected such conditions, and negotiations continue.
Adalı emphasized that the club highly values Salah and agrees with him on everything, but stressed that the priority is the best situation for Beşiktaş, and they are moving in that direction, reassuring the fans.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah's agent, Rami Abbas, caused controversy by writing on his official X account: 'We still do not know where Mohamed will play next season, but we can find out very soon.' He also added that their approach is not to engage in discussions with clubs where Mohamed does not want to play, just for the sake of creating hype.
Midfielder Sipesile Ndlovu shared his impressions of life under the new head coach Fernando Da Cruz after the team's European preseason tour in Alicante, Spain.
The 29-year-old midfielder believes that the club is showing progress under the new coach Fernando Da Cruz ahead of the Betway Premiership 2026/27 season. Speaking from the team's camp in Alicante, Ndlovu noted that the squad has adapted well to Da Cruz's ideas and is improving with every training session.
He stated: 'It was a wonderful camp. We are very happy to be here to prepare for the new season. We look better and sharper in every training session. We have a new coach with a new philosophy, and we are adapting well to his ideas.' Ndlovu emphasized that the team is motivated and ambitious, but they are working, not on vacation.
For Ndlovu, the opportunity to complete a full preseason with Chiefs was particularly valuable, as he joined the club shortly before the start of last season without being able to prepare fully. The midfielder participated in Chiefs' friendly matches in Spain against teams such as Rangers, Al Khouled, and the La Liga Spanish club Elche. These games allowed them to assess the team's development against different styles of opponents.
Ndlovu believes these trials were useful preparation before a season in which Chiefs will participate in both domestic competitions and the CAF Confederation Cup. He noted that matches against different types of teams, such as the more physical Rangers and the more tactical Al Khouled, are similar to what the team will face in the league and the CAF Confederation Cup.
After concluding the European tour with a match against Elche, the team returned home, where they will continue preparations in the Toyota Cup against Scotland FC on July 26. Ndlovu believes this match will give the team another chance to deepen their understanding of Da Cruz's requirements. He added that the main goal in the Toyota Cup is to see how committed the team is to the new coach's philosophy, as well as to refine combinations and overall understanding of the playing style.
Amid high expectations at Naturena stadium, Ndlovu urged fans to remain patient while the revamped Chiefs continues to develop. He is convinced that the team is building something special, and fan support plays a huge role in this process.
