The 2026 World Cup builds to a single afternoon: the final on 19 July. For the first time it caps a 48-team tournament, and whoever lifts the trophy will have won a record eight knockout and group matches to get there.
Where it is played
The final is staged at the New York/New Jersey stadium in East Rutherford, one of the largest venues at the tournament with a capacity above 82,000. Kick-off is set for the afternoon in the Eastern time zone, making it an evening match for viewers in Europe and North Africa.
What is new about this final
Beyond being the first 48-team final, the showpiece is scheduled to include the first live half-time performance in World Cup history, a nod to how big the event has become. The winners also collect the trophy after the longest road to glory the competition has ever asked of a champion.
How to follow it
On this site you can follow the final live as the score updates, check the line-ups on the match page, and read our recap afterwards. Bookmark the homepage so you are one tap from kick-off.