New Jersey / Anadolu

- Due to the presence of the US president, additional security protocols have been raised to their highest level.

- Ticket prices for the match range between $7,000 and $55,000.

- Fan Edgar, coming from Honduras: 'I think they could have offered better prices for everyone.'

- Fan Noah Timbers, who came with his family from the Netherlands: 'This will be a showdown between the football prodigy Lamine Yamal and the legend Lionel Messi.'

The national teams of Spain and Argentina meet in the 2026 World Cup final, today Sunday, at MetLife Stadium in the US state of New Jersey, in a title-deciding match, with US President Donald Trump in attendance.

Exceptional security measures were taken days before the match at MetLife Stadium, which seats 82,500 spectators, and was also called 'New York-New Jersey Stadium' during the tournament.

Due to US President Donald Trump attending the match from the stands today, the level of additional security protocols has been raised to its highest.

At the stadium that will host tens of thousands of football fans from around the world, the US Secret Service, federal, local, and state security forces will carry out strict checks at the entrances, while thousands of security personnel will be deployed around the stadium.

- Ticket prices weigh heavily on fans

Getting tens of thousands of fans wanting to attend the match to the stadium will be the first challenge they face today; since access to the stadium is mostly via public transportation, additional trips will be operated from train and bus stations in New York and New Jersey.

Fans are expected to pay between $100 and $150 for public transportation, while authorities warned of the need to prepare for long waiting times on the way there and back due to expected congestion.

Ticket prices for the final match offered on websites are also extremely high; prices range between $7,000 and $55,000 depending on seat location and view clarity.

Additionally, the possibility of sudden summer rains due to the ongoing hot weather is one of the possible surprises that may accompany today's match.

"They could have offered better prices for everyone"

A football fan from Honduras named Edgar, in an interview with Anadolu, said he came to watch the match with his son, adding: "We are very excited. For us, this is like a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so we are happy to be here."

Edgar explained that he is not worried about the weather, but commented on transportation and ticket costs, saying: "I think they could have offered better prices for everyone."

As for his son Kirian, he indicated that he supports Spain while his father supports Argentina, and said: "This is the first time I visit a World Cup stadium, and especially the first time I attend a final. I am very excited to watch the match."

For his part, Noah Timbers, who came from the Netherlands with his family to Boston a week ago for the World Cup, said: "This will be a showdown between the football prodigy Lamine Yamal and the legend Lionel Messi. So I am very excited and wonder what will happen."

His brother Sem Timbers commented on the difficulties of finding tickets and transportation, saying: "Finding tickets and similar things is always difficult, and not everything can be perfect. So it's natural to accept such things and try to enjoy."

In turn, father Jos Timbers (50 years old) said that fans should be patient in facing the challenges related to the final match, adding: "The United States is a wonderful experience. The stadiums are amazing, and I think the matches were very good as well."