NEW YORK / Yunus Kaimaz / Anadolu Agency

- A match that brings together the champions of Europe and South America for the first time in World Cup history

- Spain seeks its second title, while Argentina chases its fourth star

- The final brings together the top two ranked teams for the first time

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday will feature a series of firsts in tournament history, along with players and coaches aiming to set new records.

The final will be held at New York New Jersey Stadium in the United States, which seats around 80,000 spectators, pitting the UEFA European Championship winner against the Copa América champion for the first time in World Cup history.

It will also be the first World Cup final since the introduction of the FIFA World Rankings in 1992 to feature the top two ranked teams.

Argentina tops the latest official FIFA ranking, released on June 11, with Spain in second place.

** Halftime Show

For the first time in World Cup history, the final will feature a halftime show, similar to the performances at the Super Bowl.

British singer Chris Martin, lead vocalist of Coldplay, is the artistic director of the 11-minute show.

The show features Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and other artists and groups.

The show supports the FIFA-Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand children's access to education and football worldwide.

The show's duration has sparked controversy regarding the halftime break, with concerns that setting up and dismantling the stage will take extra time.

According to IFAB laws, the halftime break must not exceed 15 minutes, though the duration can be adjusted with the referee's permission.

** Commemorative Rings

The trophy ceremony will feature another first: winning players will receive special tournament rings, the first time in FIFA competition history.

The captain and coach of the winning team are set to receive two symbolic rings during the ceremony, in addition to the trophy and medals.

Later, 30 personalized rings will be given to winning team members, featuring a World Cup design on one side and details of the champion's identity on the other.

The rings are part of a limited edition of 2,026 pieces, with 30 for the winning team and 1,996 available to fans.

** Second World Cup Meeting

This match is only the second encounter between Spain and Argentina in World Cup finals.

Their first meeting was in the group stage of the 1966 World Cup in England, ending in a 2-1 victory for Argentina.

The two teams have met 14 times in all competitions and friendlies, with 6 wins each and 2 draws.

** Spain Chases Second Title

Spain aims to secure its second world title, following its first in the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

If victorious, it would become the seventh country to win the World Cup more than once.

Spain would also become the first country to simultaneously hold both the men's and women's World Cup titles, after its women's team won in 2023.

Argentina, meanwhile, aims for its fourth title, after triumphs in 1978, 1986, and 2022.

It also seeks to become the first team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962.

** Exceptional Spanish Defense

Spain reached the final after one of the strongest defensive performances in World Cup history.

They became the first team to keep six clean sheets in a single edition of the tournament, conceding only one goal in seven matches.

The only goal conceded came in the quarterfinal against Belgium, which Spain won 2-1.

Spain also never trailed in any of their matches during the tournament, according to pre-final statistics.

** Unbeaten Run

Spain enters the match unbeaten in their last 37 games, with 27 wins and 10 draws, equaling the record set by Italy.

This ties the longest known unbeaten run in international matches, held by Italy between 2018 and 2021.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also set a record for the most matches in World Cup and European Championship without a loss.

De la Fuente has led Spain in 14 matches across both tournaments, with 13 wins and 1 draw.

** Scaloni Hopes for Historic Achievement

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is on the brink of history, as he could become the second manager to win consecutive World Cups.

Italy's Vittorio Pozzo remains the only one to achieve this, leading his country to titles in 1934 and 1938.

Argentina also aims for a fourth consecutive major title, after winning the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and the World Cup in 2022.

** Messi Faces Third Final

If he plays, Argentina captain Lionel Messi will become the second player in history to appear in three World Cup finals.

Messi previously played in the 2014 and 2022 finals, while Brazil's Cafu achieved the same feat in 1994, 1998, and 2002.

If Messi scores against Spain, he will become the sixth player to score in two different World Cup finals.

He would join Brazilians Vavá and Pelé, German Paul Breitner, and Frenchmen Zinedine Zidane and Kylian Mbappé.

Messi has scored 8 goals in the 2026 World Cup, raising his all-time tournament tally to 21 goals and 12 assists.

Also for Argentina, Alexis Mac Allister holds the record for the most World Cup matches without defeat, with 13.