Overview
- The final, which took place Sunday, matched defending champions Argentina with Spain after coaches Lionel Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente confirmed their starting lineups.
- Organizers staged an unprecedented halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS that organizers say has raised more than $60 million and pledged one dollar from every World Cup ticket to FIFA’s Global Education Fund.
- Lionel Messi started for Argentina as the oldest outfield player in a World Cup final while 19-year-old Lamine Yamal led Spain’s young attack and Spain’s coach said they would not mark Messi man‑for‑man.
- The Council of Europe publicly urged FIFA to strengthen sporting integrity after saying a red‑card sanction was suspended following a call from a head of state to the FIFA president and warning about expanded betting markets and commercial ties.
- U.S. President Donald Trump attended the match and declined to pick a winner, saying it was "hard to bet against Messi," underscoring the high public and political attention on the game.