Key events
I’m still processing the 2007 photograph of a teenage Lionel Messi bathing four‑month‑old Lamine Yamal for a UNICEF calendar shoot.
Sid Lowe has investigated how this image came to be.
Coming from the bench is not the ideal scenario for any player, yet when you are part of a national team as strong as mine and Lautaro’s, you cherish every opportunity to contribute, whether you enter the match or remain on the substitute bench. You concentrate on the present, embrace the circumstances, and see yourself as someone capable of making a difference. I have total confidence in my abilities: each time I step onto the pitch I believe I can create an impact. In the final, I hope a Spanish player becomes the hero, and the trophy belongs to all of you, not just the eleven on the field.
It is essential to have ego as a footballer, especially amid external criticism, but humility is equally important. Players join the national team because they are valuable at their clubs and must adapt to a new environment. It is easy to speak of ‘family,’ yet when results are poor or circumstances are challenging, true character emerges. This is thanks to Luis and the squad he built, prioritizing being good humans before being great footballers. Their camaraderie—knowing when to joke and when to stay silent—strengthens the group. After 46 or 47 days together, we remain …
Although many Brazilians will cheer for Spain in the final, what about the rest of the world?
Although Latin American supporters have historically backed their regional teams as they progressed deep into the tournament, a surge of memes, jokes, and criticism now indicates a notable exception: Argentina.
A widely shared photoshopped image shows Lamine Yamal, Spain’s forward, wearing a Brazil jersey, accompanied by the sarcastic caption, “The hope of the Brazilian people.”
The enthusiasm extends beyond the longstanding Brazil‑Argentina rivalry; fans from Mexico, Colombia, Chile and other nations hope Lionel Messi’s Albiceleste will be defeated on Sunday. A comparable situation arose before Argentina claimed its third World Cup title in 2022.
Colombian sociologist Germán Gómez told AFP that the “dynamic of solidarity … has been broken” with Argentina, noting that the digital era and social media have fostered narratives portraying the team as favored by FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino.
“Argentina has received assistance from the referees,” said Francisco Santos, a Brazilian fan purchasing World Cup stickers at a São Paulo shopping centre, where cheers erupted when England scored first against Argentina in the semi‑finals.
“We will cheer for Spain,” said Juan Camilo Abusaid, a 28‑year‑old finance worker in Bogotá, Colombia.
Antonio López, 51, a police officer in Mexico City, described Messi as a “legend,” but added, “If you are prepared to work hard on the pitch to become champion twice, I accept that. If referees are going to help you, I do not.”
At a press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum jokingly asked journalists which team they supported in the final; they answered, “Spain! Spain!”
Mexican anthropology professor Jorge Negroe, a specialist in sports sociology, said, “This World Cup has proven to be highly political.”
“I really don’t like Javier Milei (Argentina’s president) at all,” said Rachid Sjoberg, a 29‑year‑old agricultural laboratory operator in Santiago, Chile. “The notion that he would then boast about having won the World Cup if they triumph does not sit well with me.”
Messi himself has acknowledged the strong feelings surrounding whether the team wins or loses. “Four years ago, we achieved what we wanted: to reach the final and be the best for four years. Once again, we have demonstrated that nothing is given to us for free, and we have placed ourselves among the top two again,” he said. “Let it hurt whoever it hurts.” AFP
OK, let’s talk about the final. Spain’s late‑goal scorer Mikel Merino has been discussing the matter with Sid Lowe in New Jersey …
Coming from the bench is not the ideal scenario for any player, yet when you are part of a national team as strong as mine and Lautaro’s, you cherish every opportunity to contribute, whether you enter the match or remain on the substitute bench. You concentrate on the present, embrace the circumstances, and see yourself as someone capable of making a difference. I have total confidence in my abilities: each time I step onto the pitch I believe I can create an impact. In the final, I hope a Spanish player becomes the hero, and the trophy belongs to all of you, not just the eleven on the field.
It is essential to have ego as a footballer, especially amid external criticism, but humility is equally important. Players join the national team because they are valuable at their clubs and must adapt to a new environment. It is easy to speak of ‘family,’ yet when results are poor or circumstances are challenging, true character emerges. This is thanks to Luis and the squad he built, prioritizing being good humans before being great footballers. Their camaraderie—knowing when to joke and when to stay silent—strengthens the group. After 46 or 47 days together, we remain …
It is interesting to see the rapid shift in perception of Thomas Tuchel. There was something heroic about opting for a defensive stance (even with ten men) against Mexico, but now …
As a Leeds supporter, I admire Marcelo Bielsa; we removed him, and we were outclassed by teams with far superior players, yet we hold him in high regard and even have murals of him throughout Leeds. It wasn’t his success in securing promotion that we cherish, but his ability to make a modest squad play wonderfully fearless football. I know he struggled with Uruguay, but that’s not the point. My point is that we shouldn’t be told that our only aim is victory. Football is about more than winning; it’s a theatre where we want to witness a team that embodies the best of us, aspiring to be fearless, beautiful, attacking, creative, and innovative. If we lose, we lose, but I believed Tuchel understood that after the Croatia match—clearly he did not.
Wayne Rooney has honoured his pledge after Norway reached the World Cup quarter‑finals by rowing down New York’s Hudson River.
Norwegian supporters produced some of the tournament’s most memorable moments with their ‘Viking row’ celebration, prompting former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney to promise he would row Liverpool’s River Mersey if they eliminated Brazil in the round of 16.
Erling Haaland secured the victory with a brilliant late double and challenged Rooney to honour his pledge.
The 40‑year‑old has done so, swapping Merseyside for New York and joining BBC Sport pundits Micah Richards and Joe Hart.
“I loved it. The Norwegian fans were brilliant, weren’t they? We did this out of respect for them and gave it our best shot,” Rooney said.
Addressing Haaland directly, Rooney added, “Enjoy it. We’ve seen your dancing video in Marbella, so I hope you enjoy this!”
Norway forced England into extra time in the quarter‑final before falling to a Jude Bellingham goal. PA Media
The aftermath of England’s exit continues. Jonathan Liew’s column is incisive and essential reading …
“If we lose, we lose in our way,” Tuchel told his players at half‑time in the opening match against Croatia, a rallying cry that produced some of the most thrilling England football at a major tournament in my memory. Where did that go, Thomas? Or where did that Thomas go? Perhaps somewhere on the road to the Azteca, or in the heat of Miami, Tuchel lost the simple faith that had brought England to this point.
Trump: England erred by using Kane on defence during his pre‑France press conference in Miami; the England head coach was not pleased …
Donald Trump joined the chorus of criticism regarding Thomas Tuchel’s defensive approach against Argentina, questioning the England manager’s “unusual” deployment of his golfing friend Harry Kane.
The inquiry into Wednesday’s 2‑1 semi‑final loss to their bitter rivals is ongoing, with fans and pundits criticizing the head coach’s tactics and substitutions in Atlanta.
At a World Cup event held at Trump Tower in New York, the president surprisingly joined those questioning Tuchel as England prepared for Saturday’s unwanted bronze‑medal match against France instead of the final against Spain.
Trump was especially puzzled by how the German coach deployed captain Kane, who had played a round of golf with him about 18 months ago in Florida.
“You have a great player in England, who I played golf with,” Trump said at a press conference. “You know that, right? He is Harry, and he has been fantastic.”
“I think they perhaps made a mistake by turning him into a defensive player. What do I know about soccer? They took the lead, and they put their best player on defence.”
“Look, what do I know about coaching? That was a little unusual, but Harry is a great guy, actually.” PA Media
Argentina and Spain have arrived in New York ahead of tomorrow’s final, with Lionel Messi, Emi Martínez and Rodri among those attending a fanfest in the city last night.
Can you spot the other famous faces in attendance?
Pablo Iglesias Maurer joined a Q&A with Messi, Martínez and Lionel Scaloni, where the Argentina head coach praised his captain once again …
He is pure history, a legend. Reaching a final at 39 years of age is unbelievable; we must enjoy him while he is still with us. Though we miss Diego [Maradona], Messi remains with us. He is history, a legend, and together with this group of people who have given us wonderful years, we will always remember him.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the final weekend of the 2026 World Cup. After five and a half weeks, 102 matches and 44 teams have concluded, it is now time for the awards. Tomorrow’s decisive event features Spain facing Argentina in a highly intriguing final in New York/New Jersey – before factoring in wildfire smoke, an extensive halftime show, and Donald Trump crashing the trophy lift.
Today’s matches take place in Miami as France and England contest the bronze‑medal playoff. What approach will they take? Will they rotate the squad, go all‑out to give their star striker the Golden Boot, or simply avoid a heavy defeat?
Regardless, we welcome your thoughts on how the tournament has unfolded and your predictions for tomorrow’s showpiece. Please contact us via email or leave a comment below the line.