The 2026 World Cup Final takes place on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (capacity 82,500). MetLife is the home of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets and will be transformed for the occasion. Expected kick-off: 18:00 local ET (22:00 UTC). It will be the first World Cup final held on US soil since 1994 (when Brazil beat Italy on penalties at the Rose Bowl).
Recent finals: 2014 — Germany 1-0 Argentina (aet); 2018 — France 4-2 Croatia; 2022 — Argentina 3-3 France (aet, pens 4-2). All three recent finals featured European teams in the final. With 48 teams expanding the field, there is a slightly greater chance of a South American vs South American final — something not seen since 1930.
Predicted final: France vs Brazil. France's defensive solidity and Mbappe's brilliance edge it, with Les Bleus winning 2-1 in extra time. Mbappe scores a brace to become the first player since Pele (1958, 1970) to score in three World Cup finals. Disclaimer: early predictions for World Cup finals are highly speculative — tournament football specialises in the unexpected.
The 2026 World Cup Final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA on July 19, 2026. The stadium has a capacity of 82,500.
The 2026 World Cup Final is expected to kick off at approximately 18:00 Eastern Time (22:00 UTC / 23:00 BST) on Sunday, July 19, 2026.