Spain, Argentina prepare for World Cup final, Trump hails success

Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey, as organizers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from Canadian wildfires.

US President Donald Trump will attend, calling the tournament one of the most successful sporting events in history.

What is at stake in the Spain vs Argentina World Cup final?

Lionel Messi's Argentina are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. Spain are chasing a second title after their maiden victory in 2010. The match marks the climax of the largest World Cup in history, held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Why are organizers monitoring wildfire smoke ahead of the final?

Organizers said they were monitoring closely the smoke that has choked skies over large areas of the United States. "There's been discussion about it, and we have somebody with the National Weather Service that sits in FIFA headquarters there, so we're monitoring closely," said Andrew Giuliani, White House World Cup task force executive director, at a briefing. The comments came as concerns grew over air quality ahead of Sunday's match.

Will Trump attend the World Cup final?

Trump will be among a crowd of over 80,000 spectators as the tournament reaches its climax at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will be the only game of the World Cup that Trump has attended. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would also attend the final after receiving an invitation from the American president.

Trump praised the World Cup, which was also played in Mexico and Canada, calling it "the most successful sporting event perhaps in the history of the world." He made the comments on Friday during a reception in New York with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

What have the players said ahead of the final?

Spain captain Rodri said he was bracing for a physical battle with Argentina and would aim to ignore any possible provocations. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner said he expected the final to be unlike any other match the European champions had faced. "I think Sunday's match will be quite different," the Manchester City star told reporters. "It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared. But I believe that if we are known for something in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment."

Rodri added that Spain could adapt to defending, counter-attacking or attacking depending on how the match unfolds. When asked if he expected Argentina to use provocative tactics, he replied that this is simply part of football.

What have Argentina's coach and players said about Messi?

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of watching Messi lead the team in another World Cup final at age 39. "He has made history. He is a legend," Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said he becomes emotional when reflecting on the team's collective achievements.

"Honestly sometimes I cry to myself thinking about what we have achieved," Martinez said. "My message to my teammates is that they should enjoy this moment, prepare with a smile on our faces. This is something we will remember forever."

Who is playing for third place at the World Cup?

England arrived in Miami to face France on Saturday in the third-place match between the tournament's beaten semi-finalists. England coach Thomas Tuchel admitted their 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina had been painful. "We have to live with this, so it's our pain, my pain and the players' pain, we feel the most pain of all," Tuchel said. "And it is our scar that we carry now. It is a very painful defeat, and we have to live with this defeat."

France coach Didier Deschamps vowed no tears would be shed as he prepares to take charge of his final World Cup match, having led France to the title in 2018 and the final in 2022. "I know that the final curtain falls tomorrow," Deschamps said on Friday. "No one here is going to cry, but I know I'll miss the French team. For 15 years, I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult."