Rodrigo De Paul returns in midfield, Gonzalo Montiel starts at right back and Nicolas Gonzalez comes in on the wing for Argentina.

After nearly six weeks of heroics and heartache, thrills and spills, heat, rain and rowing, New York New Jersey stadium was preparing tonight to host the crowning event of the World Cup tournament — the final between coolly confident Spain, aiming for their second world title, and fiery Argentina, defending their crown in what they hope will be the bow on the gift of Lionel Messi's glittering career.

As the curtain falls on a spectacular tournament, The Daily Star Sport team unveils its definitive World Cup Best XI. Lining up in a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, this star-studded lineup balances elite tactical discipline with unstoppable attacking flair.

The World Cup final offers football's grandest stage a deliciously odd pairing: Argentina, all pulse, fire and Lionel Messi, against Spain, the European champions who appear to treat chaos as an administrative error and have turned control into something close to an art form.

As football grows faster and more physically demanding, one opponent continues to test even the world's best athletes: heat. 

Lionel Messi says Argentina have "already written a story that no one can erase" ahead of their World Cup final meeting with Spain.

From record-shattering ticket prices and a star-studded halftime performance to the debut of championship rings and a high-stakes diplomatic guest list, the final is shaping up to be the most consequential sporting event of the decade.

Sanjoy Deb, who recently shared the stage with Bollywood star Nora Fatehi at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Canada, has also performed at several World Cup fan festivals across the United States. His Dhaka appearance is part of the same tour.

France captain Kylian Mbappe believes Lionel Messi will waste little time in reclaiming the World Cup's all-time scoring record when Argentina face Spain in the final.

Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has accused Argentina of using overly physical tactics, claiming the reigning world champions "like to leave a mark on their opponents" ahead of tonight's FIFA World Cup final.

The biggest-ever FIFA World Cup concludes tonight with a blockbuster final between Spain and Argentina. Both nations have shown exceptional quality and an inexhaustible competitive spirit to go all the way to the title decider. Ahead of what promises to be a captivating contest at New York New Jersey Stadium, we look at the individual duels which could prove decisive.

Argentina take on Spain, the country where Albiceleste skipper Lionel Messi made his name, in a FIFA World Cup final marked by a clash of styles. Here are some key stats regarding these two giants ahead of the blockbuster final.

At 39, Messi remains as influential as he was during Argentina's triumph in Qatar. His performance in the dramatic semifinal comeback against England once again underlined his enduring ability to shape the biggest occasions.

It is the FIFA World Cup 2026 top scorers against the tournament's meanest defence. With Argentina having netted 19 goals and Spain conceding just once over seven matches, both goalkeepers are likely to play major roles in tonight’s showpiece at New York New Jersey Stadium.

When Lionel Messi walks onto the pitch in New Jersey in the early hours of Monday (Bangladesh time) to face Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will reach its final act.

The South Americans are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are eyeing a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.

Lionel Messi has already won almost everything football has to offer. He has lifted the FIFA World Cup, collected a record number of Ballon d’Or awards and inspired Argentina through some of the greatest moments in the sport’s history.

The tennis legend, who retired from professional tennis in 2024 after a glittering career that saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles, remains deeply passionate about football and will be watching from home as two footballing giants battle for global glory.

There is no bigger prize in football than the FIFA World Cup, and no bigger stage than its final. Yet when Argentina and Spain meet in Monday's showpiece, the spotlight will inevitably fall on two players at opposite ends of football's timeline.

Long before Lionel Messi became a global icon, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had already experienced first-hand how quickly the diminutive forward could turn a game on its head.