The will feature a final unprecedented in the history of football: for the first time since FIFA created its ranking in 1992, the two teams that topped the standings at the beginning of the tournament will face each other directly for the title. on Sunday, July 19, at 3:00 PM (Cuba time), at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Argentina entered the tournament as the top team in the ranking with 1,877.27 points, just 2.56 points ahead of Spain, which held the second position with 1,874.71. The slight margin between the two at the start of the championship makes this clash something that the world of football has never witnessed in a final.
The Albiceleste secured their spot this Wednesday by coming from behind to beat England 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Anthony Gordon put the English team ahead in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th, and Lautaro Martínez sealed the comeback in the 90+2 minute.
Spain, meanwhile, had confirmed its place in the final on Tuesday by thrashing France 2-0 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute and Pedro Porro extended the lead in the 58th minute, leaving La Roja with no doubt.
For Spain, the final on Sunday represents a return to the biggest event in football for the first time in 16 years, since its victory in South Africa 2010. The Royal House celebrated the qualification with a message that encapsulated the mood of the country: "Thank you for making us enjoy."
Argentina, the reigning champion since Qatar 2022, is seeking something that no team has achieved since Brazil in 1958 and 1962: to defend the title consecutively. A victory on Sunday would secure their fourth World Cup star.
The history of the FIFA ranking adds another element of interest to the matchup. Since the creation of the ranking, the leader at the start of the tournament has never lifted the trophy: in South Africa 2010, Brazil was number one and Spain, which was second, won; in Russia 2018, Belgium led and France, which was second, prevailed; in Qatar 2022, Brazil topped the table and Argentina, in third place, became champion.
The path of both teams to the final has been solid. Argentina eliminated Switzerland 3-1 in the quarterfinals in extra time, with goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, before defeating England in the semifinals. Spain, on the other hand, triumphed over Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals and then dismantled France without conceding a single goal.
On Sunday, one of the two teams will break the ranking curse and be crowned world champion. The other will have to wait at least four more years to try again. Before that, on Saturday, July 18, France and England will compete for third place at 5:00 PM Cuba time.
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