NEW YORK — Will Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final mark the coronation of Lionel Messi-era Argentina as the best national team of all time? Or will Spain’s next-greatest generation take a huge step toward claiming that title for itself? It’s a dream finale between two iconic soccer powers. With Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni leading … Read more
If Argentina’s run to the final can be described with one fact, it’s this one— La Albiceleste has not led going into the 90th minute in any of its knockout stage matches. With two comeback wins and two extra-time victories, Argentina’s run to the World Cup final has been unlike anything seen before. Four of … Read more
Spain takes on defending champions Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. Lionel Messi looks to lead the Albiceleste to a second straight title while Lamine Yamal and La Roja eye Spain’s first title since 2010. Ahead of Sunday’s game, here is what the weather forecast … Read more
The 2026 World Cup featured veteran stars and first-time competitors that competed for a title much older than some could imagine. From Croatia’s Luka Modrić at age 42 to Cape Verde’s Vozinha at age 40, the tournament talent spared no age limit. But who are some of the oldest players to have hoisted a World … Read more
Entering its second consecutive World Cup final, Argentina’s journey to defending their 2022 title was nothing but wild. From Lionel Messi becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer to four straight comeback wins, it was going to be difficult to keep Argentina out of the final. Argentina will face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup … Read more
Spain is back in the World Cup final since winning it all in 2010 over the Netherlands in Johannesburg at the first ever edition to be hosted on the African continent. In those 16 years, much has changed (i.e, the number of qualified teams) while some things have stayed the same (Lionel Messi and Ronaldo … Read more
The 2026 World Cup final is set as Argentina looks to defend its title against Spain. But after four wild comebacks, what was it about Argentina’s seminal performance that sealed its championship spot? Their X-factor, Lionel Messi. Although Messi has not scored since Argentina’s round-of-16 win over Egypt, he’s still managed to set up some … Read more
This was the World Cup of firsts. The first tournament to feature 48 teams saw 1,248 players descend upon Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer. The expanded field means there will be a total of 104 matches played at the conclusion of the tournament, resulting in 9,360 minutes of soccer played in regulation … Read more
In 2007, a 20-year-old Lionel Messi posed for a Barcelona charity calendar, gently bathing a baby in a plastic tub. The baby’s family had won a UNICEF raffle. Nobody thought about the photo again for 17 years. The baby was Lamine Yamal. You could write fiction for a decade and never come up with that. … Read more
The World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina on Wednesday proved to be an all-timer that featured tons of tough physical play. And it also produced what surely will be one of the most iconic images in the tournament’s history. With England up a goal against Argentina thanks to Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal, Lionel Messi … Read more