As Messi’s Argentina aim to win back-to-back titles, while Spain searches for a second title, Trump will attend the climax in New Jersey.
spain And Argentina are set to contest Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey as organizers say they are keeping a close eye on wildfire smoke in Canada.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina is trying to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, while Spain is trying to win its second title after winning its first in 2010.
Organizers said they were “closely monitoring” the smoke that has choked the skies over large areas of the United States.
“There have been discussions about it, and we have someone with the National Weather Service who sits at FIFA headquarters, so we’re monitoring closely,” Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup Task Force, said at a briefing.
US President Donald Trump will join a crowd of more than 80,000 as the biggest World Cup in history reaches its climax at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This would be the only game of the tournament in which Trump has participated.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would also attend the final following an invitation from the US President.
Trump on Friday praised the World Cup played in Mexico and Canada, calling it “perhaps the most successful sporting event in the history of the world” as he held a reception with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in New York.
physical fight
Spain captain Rodri said he is prepared for a “physical” battle with Argentina and will aim to ignore any possible “provocations”.
Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, said he expected the final to be different from any other game the European champions have faced.
“I think Sunday’s game will be very different,” the Manchester City star told reporters.
“It will be more physical, and we must be prepared. But I believe if we are known for anything on this national team, it is that we know how to play different games on a moment-to-moment basis.
“So we can adapt to defend, counter-attack and attack. We’re a very complete team and that’s why we’re here.”
When asked if he expected Argentina to resort to “provocative” tactics, Rodri replied: “Well, it’s a part of football.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of watching Messi lead his team to another World Cup final at the age of 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.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez said he gets emotional when he thinks about the collective efforts involved in their success.
“Honestly, sometimes I cry when I think about what we have accomplished,” he said.
“My message to my teammates is that they should enjoy the moment, prepare with a smile on our faces.
“It’s something we’ll always remember.”
England travel to Miami to play France on Saturday, with the semi-finalists meeting to decide who finishes third.
England coach Thomas Tuchel admitted their 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals was painful.
“We have to live with it, so it’s our pain, my pain and the players’ pain – we feel the most pain,” Tuchel told a news conference.
“And this is our wound that we still bear. It is a very painful defeat, and we have to live with this defeat.”
France coach Didier Deschamps has vowed to shed no tears as he prepares to take charge of his final World Cup match, having led them to glory in the 2018 edition and taking them to the final in 2022.
“I know the final curtain will fall tomorrow,” Deschamps said Friday.
“No one is going to cry here, but I know I will miss the French team. For 15 years (he was appointed in 2012), I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult.”
