For the first time in World Cup history, the reigning champions of South America will take on the reigning champions of Europe in the final, bidding to be crowned the best team in international soccer.Argentina versus Spain is also a meeting of the two top-ranked teams, with superstar Lionel Messi hoping to lead his country to a second consecutive title and strengthen his claim to be the greatest player of all time.Whether you will be tuning in to the World Cup for the first time on Sunday or have been watching every kick, here is everything you need to know.What is the World Cup final?The showpiece of the biggest sporting event on the planet. The final will be the 104th match in a tournament expanded to feature 48 teams for the first time in its 96-year history. This edition started on June 11 in Mexico City and has played out across 16 cities in three countries (the United States, Canada and Mexico), with everything building to this moment.John StantonWhen and where is it?The final takes place on Sunday and kicks off at 3pm ET (8pm UK).After much speculation and anticipation, it was announced in February 2024 that MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (known as New York New Jersey Stadium for the duration of this tournament) would host the final.For several months before the decision, it seemed the choice had come down to a straight race between Dallas (AT&T in Arlington, Texas) and New York New Jersey. In the end, with FIFA’s powerful president Gianni Infantino at the forefront of the decision-making process, MetLife emerged victorious.“It was a hell of a battle,” said a disappointed Jerry Jones, the owner, president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. “We almost got there.”John StantonWorld Cup final set and USMNT futureHow big a deal is it?It is huge, by whichever metric you measure it.When Argentina beat France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, FIFA said it had a total global reach of 1.42 billion viewers.Its data for the most recent men’s World Cup in Qatar also claimed there were five billion views globally for a match at some point during the tournament, with each semifinal drawing a worldwide audience of more than 300 million.The men’s World Cup’s closest rival for global viewership is the Summer Olympic Games.The 2024 Paris Olympics was watched by a global audience of around five billion, according to the International Olympic Committee.The Super Bowl is undoubtedly the main sporting event in the United States, but its scale pales in comparison to the World Cup. Soccer is a truly global sport, whereas the NFL’s audience is primarily from the U.S.Last year’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, according to data collector Nielsen, was the most-watched TV event in America’s history to that point, averaging 127.7 million viewers and peaking with an audience of just under 138 million during the second quarter.In its current budget cycle (2023-26), FIFA expects to generate record revenues of $13 billion (£11.4bn), and the World Cup is the single biggest influence on that number.Daniel SheldonHow big is the World Cup?Tifo SportsWhy is the World Cup final only every four years?The World Cup came into being after the success of the Olympic football tournaments of the 1920s. FIFA opted to follow the same schedule with its own competition and the tradition continues to this day. There are solid practical reasons — it leaves time for continental competitions and the long qualifying process — but the scarcity factor is also important. The World Cup — and by extension the final — is special in part because players and fans know they will have to wait a long time for the next one.Jack LangHow long does the final last?The final, like all soccer games, is scheduled to last 90 minutes — two halves of 45, with a 15-minute half-time break. Although that is due to be longer this time — more on that to come.At the end of each half, the referee usually — although not always — tacks on some ‘additional time’ to make up for stoppages in play. Goals, video-assistant replay calls, injuries… the more of these there are, the longer the game will go. At the last World Cup, in 2022, it was common for the clock to run past 100 minutes. We have returned to more sensible waters: expect between three and eight extra minutes at the end of the 90.At this tournament, that additional time factors in the three-minute hydration breaks that take place midway through each half. The clock does not stop for these, so time is added on at the end of each half.If the game is level at the final whistle it will go to extra time — two additional periods of 15 minutes each. If the scores are still level after that, the match is decided by a penalty shootout — best of five, with alternating sudden-death shots as the very last tiebreaker. This is exactly how the 2022 World Cup final was decided, with Argentina beating France in this way. Penalties were also needed the only previous time the World Cup took place in the United States, with Brazil defeating Italy in dramatic circumstances in 1994.Jack LangAre the finalists the best two teams in the world?Lionel Messi is set to appear in his third World Cup final. (Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)Quite simply, yes. On paper, this is the first- and second-placed teams in FIFA’s world rankings, with an incredible collection of talent between them that will make for a mouthwatering final.Spain won the European Championship in 2024 and will look to win back-to-back major tournaments for the first time since 2012, while Argentina are the Copa America champions (2024) and current holders of the World Cup after their incredible victory over France in 2022.Both nations are winners, meaning the margins can barely be any tighter on Sunday as they fight to be the champions of the world.Mark CareyHow did they get here?Spain’s knockout matches were all done and dusted inside 90 minutes as they swept aside Austria (3-0), Portugal (1-0), Belgium (2-1) and France (2-0). Mikel Merino scored late winners as a substitute against Belgium and Portugal, becoming a hero.Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere is the only player to score against Spain in their seven games at the tournament, as they did not concede while finishing above Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia to win Group H. Surprisingly, Cape Verde were the one team able to frustrate them, earning a 0-0 draw in the opening match.In contrast, the knockout rounds have been a whirlwind for Argentina. They had two game-of-the-tournament contenders, against Cape Verde and Egypt, winning both 3-2. They needed extra time to see off Cape Verde and were 2-0 down with 11 minutes remaining in their last-16 tie against Egypt before a Lionel Messi-inspired comeback.They went to added time again against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, winning 3-1, including a Julian Alvarez screamer, and then won in stoppage time against England after going a goal behind. Their tournament started with a bang after Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria, as they finished top of Group J, also beating Austria and Jordan.Eduardo TansleyWho are the favorites?The simple answer would be to say Spain, as they have proven themselves to be more of a complete team this summer. They have only conceded that single goal in seven games and are yet to fall behind in this tournament. Their possession-dominance on the ball is matched by a contagious work rate off it, making it hard to look beyond them.But if any nation can find a way to win, it is Argentina. They continue to defy the odds and drag themselves back up off the canvas over and over again. With Messi at the heart of everything they do going forward, you simply cannot write them off. It is almost impossible to call this one, which makes it all the more special.Mark CareyDoes Spain have an advantage?By playing a day earlier and having 24 hours extra rest before the final, yes. In 13 of the past 14 finals in the men’s and women’s World Cup or European Championship, the side that played the first semi-final also won the final. The pattern broadly holds in the Copa America, with five of the past seven sides with extra rest prevailing. This appears a crucial factor.Michael CoxWho are the biggest stars in this game?This has been a World Cup in which the highest-profile players have delivered, perhaps like never before.The top scorers’ chart is a who’s who of the game’s biggest stars. Sitting right at the top, of course, is Messi — and he will undoubtedly be the biggest attraction on Sunday.After leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, he now has the chance to do the unthinkable and inspire his country to back-to-back triumphs. No team has managed that feat since Brazil lifted the trophy in 1958 and 1962.For Spain, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal is the pick of a squad packed full of talent. He helped them win the European Championship in 2024, a day after his 17th birthday. Yamal is seen by many as an heir to Messi, having come through the Barcelona academy like the Argentine, while both are left-footers who play in a similar position.By the end of Sunday, Lamine Yamal could be a World Cup and European Championship winner, aged just 19. (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)Spain also have Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder who won the Ballon d’Or, the award for the world’s best player, in 2024.John StantonAre World Cup finals usually good games?Yes, no and then yes again.In each of the first 15 finals — between 1930 and 1986 — both teams scored. Brazil’s 5-2 win over Sweden in 1958 and Argentina’s 3-1 victory against the Netherlands in 1978 were particularly eventful matches.Then, between 1990 and 2014, there was a run of finals which were either one-sided, lacking in goals, or both: 1-0, 0-0, 3-0, 2-0, 1-1, 1-0 and 1-0.But the 2018 and 2022 finals featured six goals each, with the latter being arguably the most thrilling in World Cup history.This has been an attack-minded knockout stage so far, and while fatigue and heat may be an issue in the final, it is unlikely to be dull.Michael CoxWill there be any milestones during the game?This will be the third World Cup final that Messi has played in — equalling Cafu’s record for the most appearances in the sport’s biggest game. Messi has already played in the 2014 (lost) and 2022 (won) showpiece, while the Brazilian Cafu featured in 1994 (won), 1998 (lost) and 2002 (won). Cafu, however, came on as a substitute in the 1994 game — so Messi will be the first to start three finals.If the Argentina forward scores, he will become the sixth player to score in two World Cup finals (he netted in 2022, but not in 2014), after Brazilian duo Vava (1958 and 1962) and Pele (1958 and 1970), West Germany’s Paul Breitner (1974 and 1982) and French pair Zinedine Zidane (1998 and 2006) and Kylian Mbappe (2018 and 2022).Looking at the bigger picture, if Argentina win the game then they will become just the third side to defend the world title: after Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962.And regardless of who triumphs between them and Spain, the 2030 World Cup will be the first in history where the defending champions are also a host nation.Will JeanesIs the pitch going to be a problem?The pitch at MetLife Stadium came in for fierce criticism during the group stage, most notably from Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and France’s Adrien Rabiot, who both lamented how quickly it dried out and how that led to the rhythm of the match being disrupted.But for Sunday’s final, the expectation at FIFA is that the surface is going to be in pristine condition. FIFA believes it is shaping up exactly as hoped for at this stage of the tournament.When the final kicks off, it will be two weeks since the last game took place at MetLife, meaning the pitch-management team has had plenty of time to carry out any necessary works and ensure it does not become a talking point in the aftermath.Dan SheldonWhat is the weather going to be like?An Air Quality Alert was in effect across New York City overnight on Thursday into Friday morning. This means that fine particulates within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.Wildfire smoke from Canada spreading southward toward New York City will create hazy sunshine and elevated pollutant levels in the area.But computer models are suggesting the smoke will not be as thick later on Friday.Rain returns on Saturday and showers will linger into early Sunday morning. The rain will be tapering off and skies will be clearing in the afternoon. For the 3pm ET start of the match, the temperature will be near 85F (29C).Aaron MentkowskiWhy will so many players be wearing pink boots?Pink boots have been a common sight at this World Cup. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Gone are the days of black boots. Pink has been the color of this summer’s World Cup, with leading boot manufacturers like Nike, Adidas, Puma and New Balance all opting for distinctively bright designs.The broader aim of the designers was to produce striking ranges for the players that made boots stand out from the kits being worn. But another big factor was that bright colours provide athletes with confidence. Or so says Nike.oExceptions to the trend at the World Cup were Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (gold), Argentina’s Messi (sky blue and white) and France’s Michael Olise, who does not have a deal with a boot manufacturer.Phil BuckinghamAre tickets still available?Only on the secondary market. FIFA actually released thousands more tickets to the final in multiple batches over the past week, but the last of those were purchased Thursday afternoon.So, at this stage, the only way to get tickets is on FIFA’s official resale platform or third-party sites such as StubHub and SeatGeek. There, availability and prices fluctuate based on supply and demand.Henry BushnellHow much have fans paid to attend?More than ever before. When FIFA first put tickets to the World Cup final on sale to lucky lottery winners last October, upper-deck tickets cost $2,790 (Category 3) or $4,210 (Category 2), and the rest — the supposedly better seats in Category 1 — were $6,730. FIFA then raised prices in three bursts over subsequent sales phases, and by April, tickets in Category 3, 2 and 1 cost $5,785, $7,380 and $10,990, respectively.Then, in the spring, FIFA angered fans by adding a new “Front Category 1,” and has sold some seats in the first several rows of sections for anywhere between $15,795 and a mind-blowing $32,970.Then there are hospitality packages, which represent significant chunks of MetLife Stadium and sold for even higher prices. Initially, the top price for a hospitality ticket was $73,200.Henry BushnellWill there be any security issues?The New York New Jersey host committee has repeated for years that security is one of their top concerns for the tournament — and this World Cup final will be, by far, the most high-profile spectacle in the region this summer.It will require constant coordination between local police departments and federal agencies. They also have to factor in the expected arrival of President Donald Trump, which will only heighten security further.The expectation is everyone is ready for this moment and the vast security perimeter around the stadium will limit incidents. The hope is there will be no issues — but police already quietly stopped at least one public threat against fans on July 5.Melanie AnzideiAre fans without tickets likely to attend?There are always stories of fans arriving at stadiums and hoping to buy tickets last-minute. A friend of mine did this before the Copa America final at MetLife Stadium in 2016. The difference a decade later is the get-in price for this World Cup final is astronomical.The concern is that fans without tickets will try to sneak or force their way into the match, as many did at the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium near Miami in 2024. But given the extensive security around the venue, with multiple perimeters and Secret Service involved, that’s highly unlikely on Sunday.Melanie AnzideiWhich celebrities will be attending?In the U.S., and the New York City region in particular, there are no shortage of celebrity sightings at high-profile matches — take the Knicks’ championship run as a recent example. So, expect a ton of celebrities — not only because they can afford tickets, but because this World Cup final represents a cultural moment for the sport in the U.S. that everyone wants to be a part of.Expect nearby Teterboro Airport to be filled with private jets and we can anticipate a repeat of last year’s Club World Cup final, which featured various politicians, sports stars and tycoons. Let’s not forget this year also features an extended World Cup halftime show, making this match more of an entertainment spectacle than global football fans may be accustomed to.Melanie AnzideiWhat will President Trump be doing?President Donald Trump, left, and Gianni Infantino have developed a close relationship. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)Trump has not yet attended a World Cup match, but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday that he will be at the final. And Infantino said last month that he and Trump would be “enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together.”His participation in the postgame trophy ceremony would align with precedent. Host country heads of state played similar roles in 2022, 2018 and previously. Trump himself was also involved at last summer’s Club World Cup final, when he infamously remained on the podium after the trophy had been presented to players from English club Chelsea, and stood right next to their captain Reece James as the trophy was lifted for the first time.Trump’s lack of visibility during the World Cup — except for when he called Infantino to ask for a review of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red card, then spoke at length about the situation during a news conference — has been surprising, given his close relationship with Infantino. But he’s expected to take center stage on Sunday.Henry BushnellIs it true there is a ceremony before the game?It is — the World Cup’s closing ceremony takes place before the final and is scheduled to begin at 1.30pm ET, around 90 minutes before kickoff.The line-up for the show includes Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed. Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem before the match gets underway.John StantonAre awards given out after the game?They are — and they matter.Probably the highest-profile World Cup award is the Golden Boot, given to the tournament’s top scorer. The race is exceptionally tight. Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe lead the way with eight goals (Messi plays in Sunday’s final, while France face England in the third-place playoff match on Saturday). If they finish level, assists is the tiebreaker — Messi has four to Mbappe’s three as things stand.England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham (six goals each) are not yet out of the running, while France’s Ousmane Dembele and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (five each) could, theoretically at least, overtake the top two. Erling Haaland scored seven goals but his tournament is over, so the Norwegian cannot win this award.The Golden Ball is given to the player determined to have been the best at the tournament. At the last World Cup in 2022, this went to Messi. There is also a Silver Ball and a Bronze Ball. The shortlist is drawn up by FIFA’s technical study group and then members of the media vote to decide the winners of these trophies.The FIFA Young Player award goes to the best performer aged 21 or under. In 2022 the winner was Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea for a British record €120million ($142m, £106m) a few weeks later.The Golden Glove goes to the best goalkeeper, as determined by FIFA’s technical study group. In 2022 this was Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez.The FIFA Fair Play award is presented to the team with the best disciplinary record at the tournament. England won this four years ago.John StantonHow much money do teams get for winning?In December, FIFA released its record-breaking financial package for the World Cup. It then added to the pie in April. The overall financial distribution to the 48 competing teams is $871m, though that includes preparation costs. The prize money pot, specifically, is $655m — which is distributed based on performance.The winners will receive a $50m payout, while the runners-up will get $33m.There is plenty at stake financially in Saturday’s third- and fourth-place play-off between France and England too, with the winning federation pocketing $29m and $27m going to the fourth-placed side.Greg O’Keeffe and Henry BushnellWhat is the halftime show?The World Cup final will feature its first halftime show — a concept foreign in international soccer, yet a tradition in American football.The NFL has mastered making the Super Bowl an annual spectacle thanks to its halftime show. Fans who don’t even watch the NFL will tune in for it, something that was surely an attractive concept for FIFA.Imagine the most-watched sporting event in the world being watched by even more people? This year’s halftime show features a slate of international stars – Post Malone, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Justin Bieber and Gustavo Dudamel – and is expected to last 20 minutes. We saw a sampling of what a halftime show could be like at last year’s Club World Cup final. This time, though, the performance won’t be in the stands.Melanie AnzideiHow can I watch it in the US?Fox has exclusive English-language coverage of the World Cup final, with John Strong on the play-by-play call and Stu Holden as his analyst. That duo called every USMNT match, plus both semifinals earlier this week. Fox is free over the air or available as a basic network option on every cable, satellite and multi-channel streaming service.The Spanish-language broadcast lands on Telemundo, which is free over the air or available as a basic network option on every cable, satellite and multi-channel streaming service. It also streams with a Peacock subscription. Unlike Fox, Telemundo does not show full-screen ads during hydration breaks. Both presentations will include the newly-implemented World Cup halftime show.Steven Louis GoldsteinHow can I watch it in the UK?The World Cup final is the only match of the tournament that is shown on both the BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom.The BBC has traditionally come out on top in the ratings, largely because it doesn’t show any commercials.However, industry experts have told The Athletic that ITV could narrow the gap this year, as they feel it has edged this summer’s tournament coverage, thanks in part to their on-site Brooklyn studio and a strong punditry team.Having been based at their studio in Salford until the semifinal of the competition, the BBC will also report live from the final, with Gabby Logan on presenting duties.With regard to the halftime show introduced by FIFA, ITV told The Athletic it plans to show the performance in full, as well as having match analysis either side of it.The BBC has yet to finalize its plans for the Chris Martin-curated show, but is also expected to show it in full. Tom Burrows