The 2026 World Cup reaches its climax this weekend with Spain facing Argentina in the final on Sunday, while France and England contest the third-place playoff on Saturday. The tournament has been marked by controversy, including political statements, high ticket prices, and criticism of England manager Thomas Tuchel.
Trump Criticizes Tuchel's Tactics
US President Donald Trump joined the chorus of criticism over Thomas Tuchel's defensive approach in England's 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina. Speaking at a press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump questioned the use of Harry Kane in a defensive role.
"You have a great player in England, who I played golf with," Trump said. "I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player. They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence."
Tuchel responded defiantly, saying he had "no regrets" about his decisions. "We defended in a deep block. That's what you do if you defend in a block," he said. "We were not active enough. We could not escape the deep block."
Final Preview: Spain vs Argentina
Spain enter the final on an unbeaten run of 14 matches, but face a tough test against defending champions Argentina. Former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque warned his country not to underestimate Argentina, describing them as a "real nuisance."
"I see the final as favouring Spain, but they need to be wary of the Argentinians, given how difficult they are to face and their experience," Del Bosque told El País.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi, 39, continues to defy age. Andrés Iniesta, who played with Messi at Barcelona, praised his former teammate's longevity. "I'd say he's pretty much the same as always: making a difference, playing a leading role, providing assists, scoring goals," Iniesta said.
Ticket prices for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are soaring, with resale sites listing seats from $7,000 to over $40,000.
Bronze Match: France vs England
France and England meet in the third-place playoff in Miami, a game neither team wanted. England's exit has sparked intense debate over Tuchel's future, with many fans and pundits criticizing his tactics.
One fan wrote: "Tuchel's got to go for me. We were sold the idea that he was the one to get us over the line. What we got was the meekest surrender from an England side I have ever seen."
England's best finish at a men's World Cup since 1966 would be third if they win. France manager Didier Deschamps takes charge of his 185th and final game for France.
Infantino Unlikely to Face IOC Sanctions
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is poised to escape without sanction over his dealings with Donald Trump regarding the Folarin Balogun red card incident. An exclusive report by Matt Hughes and Nick Ames revealed that Infantino is unlikely to face IOC sanctions for breaching rules on political neutrality.
Trump boasted that he was "forced to call Gianni" about the red card, and Infantino thanked Trump for putting on "the greatest human social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed."
Political Controversies
The White House has backed Argentina players after they held a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (the Falklands are Argentinian) following their semi-final win over England. Politicians had called for FIFA sanctions, but the White House supported the team.
Meanwhile, UK Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the Football Association to withdraw from FIFA, accusing the organization of "destroying the integrity of the beautiful game."
Wildfire Smoke Threatens Final
Wildfires in Canada have caused thick smoke to spread across eastern US cities, with air quality advisories in New York. The smoke threatens to disrupt the final, with conditions so bad that flights from Newark airport were cancelled.
New York city hall issued a code red for Tuesday to Thursday, advising residents to stay indoors. The final is expected to attract a worldwide television audience of 1.6 billion.
Memorable Moments
The tournament has generated numerous memes, including Japan fans, Beckham unbothered, and a simmering bromance. Wayne Rooney honoured his pledge to row the Hudson River after Norway reached the quarter-finals, doing so alongside BBC pundits Micah Richards and Joe Hart.
Spain's Mikel Merino, who scored a late goal in the semi-final, spoke about the team's focus. "The trophy belongs to all of you, not just the 11 on the pitch," he said. "It's important to have ego as a footballer, but you also need the humility."
