EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal are set to star in global soccer’s biggest match as the World Cup ends Sunday at MetLife Stadium with Argentina facing Spain in the final. Argentina is chasing its fourth World Cup title and Spain its second. It’s the 104th and last match of the biggest World Cup ever, a 48-team event that played out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Fireworks go off before World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Fireworks go off before World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi stretches with teammate Rodrigo De Paul, right, during warmup before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi stretches with teammate Rodrigo De Paul, right, during warmup before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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A presidential helicopter arrives prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A presidential helicopter arrives prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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President Donald J. Trump stands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
President Donald J. Trump stands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Spanish players huddle beofre the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Spanish players huddle beofre the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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Spain’s Lamine Yamal arrives for the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal arrives for the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
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Spanish players warm up before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Spanish players warm up before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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Mario Kempes holds the trophy before the start of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Mario Kempes holds the trophy before the start of the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, from left, first lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Leena Al Ashqar, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, from left, first lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Leena Al Ashqar, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Influencer IShowSpeed performs before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Influencer IShowSpeed performs before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Dancers perform during the pregame closing ceremony at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Dancers perform during the pregame closing ceremony at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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Argentina warms up prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Argentina warms up prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, from left, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, first lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, from left, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, first lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump attend the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Spain’s Lamine Yamal runs with the ball during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Spain’s Lamine Yamal runs with the ball during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Spain’s Rodri, left, vies for the ball with Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Spain’s Rodri, left, vies for the ball with Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez (24) and Spain’s Fabian Ruiz (8) go for a header during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez (24) and Spain’s Fabian Ruiz (8) go for a header during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister, right, tries to tackle Spain’s Dani Olmo during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister, right, tries to tackle Spain’s Dani Olmo during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister (20) battles for the ball with Spain’s Fabian Ruiz (8) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister (20) battles for the ball with Spain’s Fabian Ruiz (8) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) makes a save during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico vies for the ball with Spain’s Lamine Yamal, right, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico vies for the ball with Spain’s Lamine Yamal, right, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Spain’s Alex Baena helps Argentina’s Lionel Messi get back on his feet after a foul during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Spain’s Alex Baena helps Argentina’s Lionel Messi get back on his feet after a foul during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez speaks to Referee Slavko Vincic, of Slovenia, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez speaks to Referee Slavko Vincic, of Slovenia, during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni instructs his players during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni instructs his players during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Argentina’s Nico Gonzalez (15) challenges for the ball with Spain’s Pedro Porro (12) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Argentina’s Nico Gonzalez (15) challenges for the ball with Spain’s Pedro Porro (12) during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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