The will feature an unprecedented final 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 compete directly for the title. on Sunday, July 19, at 3:00 PM Cuba time at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Argentina arrived at the tournament as the number one ranked team with 1,877.27 points, just 2.56 points ahead of Spain, which held the second place with 1,874.71. The minimal difference between the two at the start of the championship makes this clash something that world football has never seen in a final.
The Albiceleste secured their qualification this Wednesday by coming from behind to defeat 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.
Spain, meanwhile, had secured its place in the final on Tuesday by defeating 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 without question.
For Spain, the final on Sunday represents a return to the biggest event in football for the first time in 16 years, since their victory in South Africa 2010. The Royal House celebrated the qualification with a message that captured the sentiment of the nation: "Thank you for allowing us to enjoy."
Argentina, the reigning champion since Qatar 2022, seeks something that no team has accomplished since Brazil in 1958 and 1962: to defend the title consecutively. A victory on Sunday would earn them their fourth world star.
The FIFA ranking history adds another interesting element to the matchup. Since the ranking was established, the team at the top at the start of the tournament has never lifted the trophy: in South Africa 2010, Brazil was number one and Spain, ranked second, won; in Russia 2018, Belgium was leading and France, ranked second, took the title; in Qatar 2022, Brazil topped the table and Argentina, in third place, became the champion.
The path of both teams to the final has been solid. Argentina eliminated Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals in extra time, with goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez, before overcoming England in the semi-finals. Spain, on the other hand, defeated Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals 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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