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France captain Kylian Mbappe became the highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history on Sunday, surpassing Lionel Messi's career tally, but the milestone came in a losing cause as England defeated France 6-4 in the third-place playoff. Mbappe scored twice in the second half to raise his career World Cup goal tally to 22, overtaking Messi's 21 goals. The French forward also finished the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals, moving two ahead of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament's leading scorer. However, Messi, who has scored eight goals in the tournament, still has an opportunity to reduce the gap when defending champions Argentina face Spain in Monday's World Cup final. Speaking after the match, Mbappe said the personal achievement meant little compared to missing out on the final. "I would have preferred not to be the top scorer in history and to be playing in tomorrow's match," he told Fox Sports. France had hoped to reach a third consecutive World Cup final but were eliminated by Spain in the semifinals. Mbappe, who also won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with eight goals, is on course to become the first player to claim the award twice if he remains the tournament's top scorer after Monday's final. His 10-goal haul in this edition equals the third-highest total in a single World Cup. France's Just Fontaine still holds the record with 13 goals in 1958, followed by Hungary's Sandor Kocsis with 11 in 1954, while Germany's Gerd Muller also scored 10 goals in 1970. France trailed 4-0 at halftime before launching an impressive comeback. Mbappe opened the scoring for Les Bleus in the 48th minute and struck again in the 66th minute to set the career World Cup scoring record. Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele also found the net, while Michael Olise provided two assists to take his tournament total to seven, setting a new World Cup record for assists. Reflecting on the performance, Mbappe admitted France had fallen well below expectations in the opening half. "There were two completely different halves. We were stunned in the first half and paid the price. We responded after the break, but it was too late," he said. The match also marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France head coach. Mbappe said the players were disappointed they could not give their coach a winning farewell. "It's unfortunate for the coach because we wanted to win for him. The first half may give the impression that we let him down, but that's not how we wanted his final match to be remembered," he said. Deschamps, who guided France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final, described his time in charge as the most rewarding period of his career. "It is the end of a remarkable journey. Since taking charge in 2012, I have always put the French national team first," he said. The French Football Federation is widely expected to appoint former France captain Zinedine Zidane as Deschamps' successor in the coming days.

Bukayo Saka struck a hat trick as England defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup third-place playoff on Sunday, capping one of the highest-scoring matches in tournament history. Saka scored twice before halftime and completed his hat trick with a late penalty as England raced to a commanding 4-0 lead before surviving a spirited French comeback to secure third place. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa also found the net in the opening half, while Jude Bellingham added England's sixth goal deep into stoppage time to seal the victory. France mounted an impressive second-half fightback through Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Demele. Mbappe scored twice to cut the deficit to 4-3 before England restored its cushion with Saka's penalty and Bellingham's late strike. The 10-goal contest was the highest-scoring World Cup match since Hungary defeated El Salvador 10-1 in 1982 and featured the most goals ever scored in a World Cup third-place playoff. England coach Thomas Tuchel described the tournament as a success despite the team's semifinal defeat to Argentina, where the Three Lions surrendered a 1-0 lead before losing 2-1. "We are fiercely competitive, so it is difficult to celebrate finishing third because our ambition was to reach the final and win the World Cup," Tuchel said. "But this result can help us move closer to the level of teams like Argentina and France." Bellingham's stoppage-time strike took his tournament tally to seven goals, setting a new record for the most goals scored by an England player in a single World Cup. Captain Harry Kane netted six goals in both the 2026 and 2018 tournaments, matching Gary Lineker's tally from the 1986 World Cup. Mbappe's two goals also saw him surpass Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record, taking his career total to 22 goals. The France captain has scored 10 goals in this tournament, putting him two clear of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Messi, who has 21 World Cup goals overall and eight in this tournament, will have one final opportunity to reduce the gap when defending champions Argentina face Spain in early Monday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Speaking after the match, Mbappe said he expected Messi to score in the final but admitted he would rather have been playing for the trophy than leading the scoring charts. "I always try to help my team score. Of course, scoring so many World Cup goals is special, but I would have preferred to be playing in tomorrow's final," he said. The match also marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France coach. After the final whistle, Deschamps embraced his players and acknowledged supporters before leaving the field. Reflecting on the defeat, he said France had been deeply disappointed by its semifinal exit and admitted his side had struggled badly in the first half before improving after the break. However, he said he did not want his coaching career to be judged solely on the team's final two matches.

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze is expected to mostly clear from the New Jersey area just in time for the World Cup final on Sunday, thanks to thunderstorms passing through the area, meteorologists say. Warnings of unhealthy air quality remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States. At MetLife Stadium, where the final is taking place, it rained heavily and thunder boomed. State police urged people to leave the stadium seating bowl and field and take shelter. Volunteers and staff dashed inside for cover as ponchos were handed out. The sky was the same thick, soupy gray it has been for days. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill warned residents Saturday about the potential for damaging winds, tornadoes, flash flooding and large hail. Spain’s training session ahead of the final against Argentina was suspended at a nearby field because of the storms and lighting in the area. And FIFA said it was in close contact with local authorities as it continues to monitor the impacts from the wildfire smoke and the storms on the conditions on field at MetLife Stadium. Storms will help clear the air This storm front will largely move the smoke out of the Northeast before the final between Spain and Argentina, said Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. MetLife Stadium, which has been renamed the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the matches, is an open-air stadium. “There could be some lingering smoke that would make things hazy, but very faint," Roys said. "In terms of the thickest smoke, the smoke that has really been eye-popping and leads to poor air quality, that is not expected across New York City or much of the Northeast.” Meteorologist says the air quality for the game ‘won’t be dangerous' WFLA-TV Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli, in Tampa, Florida, echoed that, saying the storm front would “sweep the atmosphere clean," leaving only a thin smoke that World Cup spectators may still smell in the air. The air quality index shows an improvement from unhealthy air for sensitive groups on Saturday to “moderate” air quality Sunday in East Rutherford, which means little to no health risk for the general public. “It won't be dangerous anymore,” Berardelli said. “It's going to be dramatically better.” Temperatures are forecast to be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), with light breezes and low humidity for the start of the final. “You couldn’t have asked for much better weather for the World Cup,” Berardelli added. Both Roys and Berardelli expect the heavier smoke Sunday to be concentrated closer to the fires, hanging over parts of the Midwest and the Great Lakes region. Wildfires have been igniting across Canada and northern Minnesota this month. Berardelli said they are burning longer and faster because of climate change. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System showed hundreds of active fires Saturday.

Anyone looking for a last-minute ticket to see Lionel Messi and Argentina face off against Lamine Yamal and Spain in the World Cup final should be ready to dig deep into the wallet for the credit card with the biggest balance possible. A key to a bank vault would work if there is one laying around. Sunday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey is one expensive ticket. FIFA's official ticket resale site listed its cheapest tickets Saturday morning at $6,411.25 for a mid-level view behind the goal. Those disappeared by lunchtime. Tickets in the corners of the upper deck were listed for nearly $10,000. To get much closer to the action, buyers would need to spend around $16,000, or as much as nearly $60,000 for special hospitality seats. Other outlets such as SeatGeek and StubHub also listed upper deck tickets starting around $10,000, with some lower bowls seats approaching $35,000. For some, it may be worth it to watch Messi, considered by many to be the greatest player ever, chase history against Yamal, one of soccer's brightest rising stars. Argentina will be playing for its fourth title overall and second in a row. No country has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Spain won the title in 2010.

Spain captain Rodri believes his team's place in the FIFA World Cup final is the result of years of steady progress rather than a sudden breakthrough, saying the squad has been building towards this moment over several tournaments. Spain has reached the World Cup final for only the second time, and Rodri said the team's triumph in the Nations League in 2023 and the European Championship in 2024 laid the foundation for its current success. Argentines, Spaniards divided over loyalties ahead of historic World Cup final The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner said Spain now faces its toughest test yet against defending champion Argentina in Sunday's final, adding that his teammates should focus on winning rather than fearing defeat. "We've been gradually growing," Rodri said on Friday. "We have to keep doing the same things we're doing because it has been a process for all five years." Spain has conceded just one goal in seven World Cup matches, including a 2-0 semifinal victory over France. Since opening the tournament with a surprise draw against Cape Verde, La Roja has outscored its opponents 13-1. "Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this," Rodri said. "We've shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents." Spain's route to the final featured decisive late goals from Mikel Merino in both the round of 16 and quarterfinals, while goalkeeper Unai Simón has made nine saves during the tournament. The team's disciplined defending has also been a key factor in its success. Rodri rejected the idea that Spain relies on a single style of play, saying the team has shown it can adapt to different situations. Reflecting on Spain's first World Cup title 16 years ago, Rodri said that team's determination remains an inspiration, but stressed that the current squad is focused on its own development. "We can even do it better," he said. "Against France, we played one of our best matches as a team. But against Argentina, we have to raise our level because they are the champions. I'm really confident that we can do it."

From Cervantes and Borges to tortilla and asado, flamenco and tango, Argentina and Spain have long shared deep cultural and historical ties. But Sunday's FIFA World Cup final has left many people with connections to both countries struggling to decide where their loyalties lie. The showdown in New Jersey will be the first World Cup final between two Spanish-speaking nations since the inaugural tournament in 1930, when Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 in Montevideo. "It feels like being caught between a rock and a hard place," said 75-year-old Juan Manuel Posada, who moved from Spain's Asturias region to Buenos Aires in 1968. Although he has spent decades in Argentina and supports local club Independiente de Avellaneda, Posada said his heart remains with Spain. "It's as if I had arrived just yesterday. My heart is in Asturias, in Spain, and with the Spanish national team," said the lifelong Sporting de Gijón supporter. "If Spain wins, that's wonderful. But if Argentina wins, I won't be unhappy either." The close relationship between the two countries dates back centuries. Buenos Aires was founded in the 16th century by Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza, and Spanish influence remained strong even after Argentina gained independence. Large waves of Spanish immigration during the first half of the 20th century further strengthened those ties. Eighty-one-year-old Manuel Fernández Acevedo, who moved from Baiona in Spain's Galicia region to Argentina as a child, said choosing between the two teams is nearly impossible. "My daughter and granddaughter were born in Argentina. May the best team win. If Spain wins, that's great, and if Argentina wins, that's fine too," he said. The close bond between the countries has also shaped football history. Argentine greats Alfredo Di Stéfano and Lionel Messi became legendary figures at Spain's biggest clubs — Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. Despite their shared football heritage, Argentina and Spain have rarely met on the World Cup stage. Their only previous encounter came during the group stage of the 1966 World Cup, when Argentina defeated Spain. This time, however, the stakes are much higher. Posada recalled a recent conversation with his Argentine grandson, who jokingly proposed a celebration plan depending on the result. "My grandson told me, 'Grandpa, if Spain wins, I'll wear a Spain shirt and carry the Spanish flag while we celebrate. But if Argentina wins, you'll have to wear Argentina's shirt and carry its flag.' I agreed, although I don't think we could go to the Obelisk wearing a Spain shirt," Posada said with a laugh, referring to Buenos Aires' famous gathering place for Argentina's football celebrations. On the other side of the Atlantic, hundreds of thousands of Argentines now live in Spain after emigrating over the past several decades, first during Argentina's military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983 and later because of recurring economic crises. According to Spain's latest census data from January 2025, about 450,883 Argentina-born residents are living in the country. For many of them, Sunday's final carries special significance. "I see Spain as just another opponent, but with respect because we're living in their country and, in the end, we're all like brothers," said 19-year-old Nahuel Barreta, who has been living in Málaga for the past year. "It feels like home here. We'll watch the match with friends at a bar downtown, as we usually do. I've never experienced a World Cup like this." In the run-up to the final, social media has been filled with humorous posts showing Argentine-Spanish couples joking about putting their relationships on hold until after the match, while others have shared playful attempts to persuade their children to support one finalist over the other. For many families with roots in both countries, Sunday's World Cup final is more than just a football match- it has become a true family affair.

Lionel Scaloni paid tribute to Lionel Messi ahead of Sunday's World Cup final, urging fans to cherish what will likely be the Argentina captain's last appearance on football's biggest stage. Argentina will bid to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup trophies since Brazil in 1962 when it meets Spain in the title decider in New Jersey. "He is pure history. He is a legend," Scaloni told a press conference on Friday. "For him to reach a final at 39 years of age is something unbelievable. That's why I say we must enjoy him." Scaloni said Messi's achievement was made more meaningful by the absence of Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the title in 1986. Widely regarded as one of the game's greatest players, Maradona died in 2020 at the age of 60. "Sadly, Maradona is no longer with us, so we have to enjoy him. He is a legend, along with this group of players," he said. "It's very difficult to achieve this," he added, alluding to a five-year period that has also included two Copa America triumphs. "This group has achieved something that is unbelievable. I'm deeply thankful, I will be thankful forever. It wasn't easy to reach this final, having competed at such a high level for so long. Even if we don't win, the journey has been unbelievable." Asked whether Sunday's final could be Messi's last match for Argentina, Scaloni declined to speculate. "Ask him. I didn't have any idea. He doesn't stop surprising us," he said. "This is a question you should ask him." The 48-year-old pointed out his side had prepared for the final the same way it had for every other match during the competition. Despite having to rely on late goals to win each of its four knockout matches, against Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England, Scaloni said his team was in good shape ahead of the final. "The team has shown very positive things, especially in the second half against England, not just the last few minutes," he said. "I think we're fit, regardless of some aspects. The team is feeling well. We're facing a very tough opponent, and people know how we play, but that's credit to us, and we'll try to win." Scaloni also spoke about the emotional connection between the team and Argentina's fans, describing the unity it had brought among supporters of rival domestic clubs. "We've recovered something that is extremely valuable, that people are watching the national team: A Boca fan hugging a River fan, Newell's fans hugging [Rosario] Central fans," he said. "That makes us really emotional. Especially because unity in a World Cup for the team is essential, we really feel the unity and the support that people are giving us. It's good to express emotions. It's part of life, of who we are, and it makes us more human." On Spain and opposite number Luis de la Fuente, Scaloni said the two coaches were friends but had not discussed tactics. "He knows me from a personal point of view, we're friends. But he doesn't know what I think about when it comes to football," Scaloni said. "We haven't really been talking about our playing style, but those patterns are obviously there when we have possession of the ball. We have similar patterns of play, having the ball and becoming stronger with the ball. I hope the game on Sunday will be a great show that people will be entertained by."

Lionel Messi says Argentina will give everything they have when they take on Spain in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final, as the defending champions aim to retain the title. "We will give it our all," Messi said on Friday during what is expected to be his final public appearance before the title clash in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Messi spoke at Fanatics Fest in New York, where he shared the stage with some of the world's biggest sports stars, including NFL legend Tom Brady, tennis great Novak Djokovic and NBA star Kevin Durant. The event highlighted Messi's global appeal, with the sports icons also taking a group selfie with the Argentine captain. FIFA held its pre-final media event at the four-day sports festival instead of a traditional news conference, allowing hundreds of fans to see the players and coaches up close. Spain captain Rodri praised Messi, calling him the greatest footballer of all time. "It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player and what he means for Argentina," Rodri said. "For me, he's the greatest of all time." Instead of journalists asking questions, the discussion was led by sports stars. Brady asked Messi about a viral photo showing him bathing a baby who later grew up to become Spain winger Lamine Yamal. "What a crazy picture," Messi said. Djokovic asked Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and Messi how they deal with pressure in major tournaments, while Durant asked goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez what winning back-to-back World Cups would mean for Argentina. Scaloni kept the focus on the match itself. "It's one more game," he said. "We cannot really think about the fact that it's a World Cup final." Argentina have reached the final with a perfect 7-0-0 record and remain the tournament's only unbeaten team. Spain are 6-0-1 after drawing their opening match against Cape Verde. Argentina's road to the final has not been easy. They came from behind to beat England in the semifinals after trailing 1-0 in the second half. They also recovered from a 2-0 second-half deficit against Egypt in the Round of 16, while both their Round of 32 match against Cape Verde and quarterfinal against Switzerland went to extra time. "I've said many times: We never stop fighting," Messi said. Messi received a warm welcome from fans at the event, many of whom recorded his entrance on their phones before cheering loudly as he waved. At the end of the programme, players, coaches and celebrities, including actor Kevin Hart, rapper Travis Scott, former England defender Rio Ferdinand and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, gathered for a group selfie. "Sunday is going to be a great show," Scaloni said. Argentina are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said the team is determined to make the country proud. "We've got a group of players and coaches working incredibly hard every day to bring happiness to our country," Martinez said. "We're going to give absolutely our best, with Leo and this team, to bring the World Cup back to our country and celebrate with our people."

France and England enter Saturday’s World Cup third-place playoff sharing the same disappointment: neither team expected to be playing for bronze. Both nations entered the tournament with championship aspirations. France was widely viewed as a title favorite, while England hoped to capture its first World Cup crown since 1966. Instead, semifinal defeats left them one step short of Sunday’s championship match, which will feature Argentina and Spain. French defender Ibrahima Konaté acknowledged the team's frustration but emphasized their commitment to finishing the tournament on a positive note. “None of us wanted to play for third place,” Konaté said Friday. “But we have to approach it professionally. France and England have a long football history, and we're looking forward to the match.” Although the game offers only a bronze medal, it represents an opportunity for England manager Thomas Tuchel to end the tournament on a stronger note after drawing criticism for his tactical decisions in England’s semifinal loss to Argentina. “No one wanted to be playing this match,” Tuchel said. “Every one of the semifinalists dreamed of reaching the final. But this is still a World Cup match, and it gives England the chance to achieve its best tournament finish in 60 years. This is an opportunity to show the mentality we've displayed throughout the competition.” Golden Boot Race Still AliveFrance captain Kylian Mbappé remains in contention for the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer. Mbappé has scored eight goals, matching Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who currently holds the tiebreak advantage with four assists compared to Mbappé’s three. England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remain outside contenders with six goals apiece. France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Mbappé is available after participating in Friday’s training session but said several lineup changes are expected. Tuchel also indicated England will rotate players for the match. “We have responsibilities,” Deschamps said. “Our players, coaches, and staff all have a duty to represent France with pride and respect for our supporters.” Deschamps’ Final Match in ChargeSaturday’s game will mark the end of Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure as France’s head coach. Konaté said the players are motivated to send him off with one final victory. “He has given so much to French football,” Konaté said. “There have been difficult moments, but he has also brought tremendous success and happiness.” Deschamps guided France to the 2018 World Cup title and another final appearance in 2022, where his team lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout. France’s 2026 campaign ended in the semifinals after Spain successfully contained the attacking trio of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. In addition to the World Cup triumph, Deschamps led France to the UEFA Euro 2016 final but fell short of winning another major international title. “This is my final match with the national team,” Deschamps said. “Representing France over these years has been the greatest honor of my professional career. I’ve experienced unforgettable highs and difficult moments, but wearing this jersey has meant everything to me.” England Looking AheadFor England, reaching the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 2018 marked progress, but Tuchel acknowledged the team must continue closing the gap on football’s elite nations. “The other semifinalists almost expect to become world champions,” Tuchel said. “We believed we could, but there’s still a gap to overcome. That journey continues starting tomorrow.” The German coach admitted England became too defensive late in its semifinal against Argentina. After leading 1-0 until the closing minutes, England conceded goals to Enzo Fernández and substitute Lautaro Martínez, prompting criticism of Tuchel’s tactical adjustments. Despite the backlash, Tuchel stood by his decisions. “If someone has to take responsibility,” he said, “then I’ll take it.”   

Mikel Merino can smell and see the smoke from the Canadian wildfires that are making for hazy conditions across large parts of the U.S., including northern New Jersey where he and Spain are set to face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday. Merino is trying not to focus on it. It remains unclear how much, if at all, the smoke will affect the final. The World Health Organization forecast calls for an improvement to “moderate” air quality in East Rutherford. “For a game that is as important as a World Cup final, you have to be able to shut out external factors as much as possible,” Merino said Friday. “Luckily, we are being careful with every detail thanks to the federation and the organizers of the World Cup.” Spain practiced outside in hazardous conditions in East Hanover, New Jersey, on Thursday, alarming experts who thought the team should have held the session inside instead. Messages sent to FIFA and the Spanish Football Association asking whether that was considered or possible were not returned. Air quality improved Friday, but the uncertainty lies in what will follow what could be up to 1.25 inches (3.17 centimeters) of rain expected to fall Saturday. “Following that, it looks like there is another smoky air mass following in behind that system, but it’s not clear right now how much or how it might reach New York or New Jersey, when it comes to actually Sunday,” said Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. “If the fire intensity really picks up again through (Saturday), it’s possible it puts more smoke into the atmosphere that then might quickly follow that rain event.” Smoke from wildfires — which are burning more of North America as Earth warms — attacks nearly every system in the body, killing tens of thousands of people a year, numerous medical studies show. It attacks the body immediately, spiking asthma cases with increased ambulance runs within hours. Smoke can trigger inflammation in different parts of the body, often attacking a person’s weakest points, which can then cascade into different effects of an immune system trying to fight a nasty irritant, doctors and scientists say. Parrington said as a general rule the advice is to try to minimize outdoor activity and exercise when the air is full of pollutants. “There’s the obvious sort of respiratory illness, cardiovascular issues, vulnerable people with asthma and things like this,” Parrington said. “Then for sure they’re going to feel the effects.” President Donald Trump is set to meet with FIFA President Gianni Infantino later Friday. Members of the administration, including Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, have been discussing the matter with soccer's governing body and monitoring the wildfire situation, according to a White House official. The person was granted anonymity to confirm internal discussions. Roughly 80,000 fans are expected at the final, which takes place in the large, open-air stadium in the Meadowlands that is home to the NFL's New York Giants and Jets.