Argentina beat England 2-1 in a dramatic second-half comeback in the semi-final on 15 July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, sending them through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
Argentina now face Spain in the Final on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kick-off at 3:00 PM ET. This guide covers how Argentina reached the Final and where to find the full match schedule and travel details.
The Final: Argentina vs Spain
Kick-off is at 3:00 PM ET on Sunday 19 July. Locally that is 11:00 PM in the UAE and Oman and 10:00 PM in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, running past midnight into Monday 20 July across South Asia — 12:00 AM in Pakistan, 12:30 AM in India, and 1:00 AM in Bangladesh.
The match is played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) the nearest major gateway. Compare flights to New York and browse hotels in New York early, as Final-weekend rooms sell out fast.
For the complete Final schedule across time zones and how both finalists got there, see the World Cup 2026 Final Preview: Spain vs Argentina Schedule.
How Argentina reached the Final
Argentina dominated Group J without dropping a point, defeating Algeria 3–0 in Kansas City, Austria 2–0 in Dallas, and Jordan 3–1 in Dallas to advance to the knockout rounds in dominant form.
In the Round of 32, Argentina edged past Cape Verde 3–2 after extra time in Miami Gardens, before completing a remarkable comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16 — trailing 2–0 before Romero, Messi, and Fernández scored to win 3–2 in Atlanta.
Argentina then overcame Switzerland 3–1 in the quarter-final at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on 11 July, booking their place in the last four.
England took the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute of the semi-final, but Argentina struck twice late on — Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez in second-half stoppage time, both assisted by Lionel Messi — to complete a 2-1 comeback win and reach the Final.
| Fixture | Date & venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs Algeria | June 16, Kansas City | 3–0 |
| Argentina vs Austria | June 22, Dallas | 2–0 |
| Argentina vs Jordan | June 27, Dallas | 3–1 |
| Argentina vs Cape Verde | July 3, Miami Gardens | 3–2 AET |
| Argentina vs Egypt | July 7, Atlanta | 3–2 |
| Argentina vs Switzerland | July 11, Kansas City | 3–1 |
| Argentina vs England | July 15, Atlanta | 2–1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Argentina play in the Final?
Argentina face Spain in the Final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How did Argentina reach the Final?
Argentina beat England 2-1 in the semi-final on 15 July, coming from behind through late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, both assisted by Lionel Messi.
When and where is the Final?
Kick-off is at 3:00 PM ET on Sunday 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — 11:00 PM that evening in the UAE and Oman, and 10:00 PM in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
What happens if Argentina win the Final?
A win would make Argentina 2026 FIFA World Cup champions. Follow full coverage on the Wego World Cup 2026 page.
Sources
- FIFA – England v Argentina, Semi-final match centre, 15 July 2026
- ESPN – England 1-2 Argentina, Semi-final match report
- Al Jazeera – Spain deliver masterclass to beat France 2-0 and reach World Cup Final
- NPR – Messi and Argentina survive another close call to reach the World Cup semi-finals
- ESPN – Argentina vs Egypt, Round of 16 final score and match report
- ESPN – 2026 FIFA World Cup fixtures, results and match schedule
- Wego – World Cup 2026 Final Preview: Spain vs Argentina Schedule
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
