FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina as “a blessing from the football gods”, calling it the perfect ending to what he believes has been the greatest World Cup in history.Speaking in an exclusive interview with MARCA on the eve of the final at New York New Jersey Stadium, Infantino said football could not have wished for a bigger occasion, with reigning world champions Argentina led by Lionel Messi taking on a Spain side spearheaded by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.For Infantino, the fixture represents far more than a battle for the trophy. It is, in his view, the meeting of football’s greatest icon with the player many believe could define the sport’s next generation.
“A blessing from the football gods”
Infantino made no attempt to hide his excitement as he looked ahead to Sunday’s showpiece.“This final is a blessing from the football gods,” Infantino told MARCA.He pointed to the unique storyline surrounding Messi and Yamal as one of the defining images of the tournament.“We have Messi, Lamine Yamal, and many other exceptional players. It’s incredible.”
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with his teammates at the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The FIFA president believes the finalists have fully earned their places after negotiating what he described as an exceptionally demanding tournament.“They are the two best teams. They deserved to be in this final and they have played exceptionally well.”“It wasn’t easy to get here. There have been 48 teams, incredible matches, and a very challenging World Cup.” Infantino added, Reflecting on the expanded 48-team competition.
Messi and Yamal headline football’s biggest stage
While acknowledging the quality spread across both squads, Infantino repeatedly returned to the symbolic image of Messi facing Yamal.The Argentina captain, now 39, is preparing for what could be the final World Cup match of his extraordinary career. Across the halfway line will stand 19-year-old Yamal, widely regarded as one of football’s brightest young stars.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
For Infantino, that contrast perfectly captures the occasion.“There’s Messi, there’s Lamine Yamal, and there are many other exceptional footballers. But there’s also that photo. It’s incredible.”Believed to be referencing to a now-viral photograph from 2007 showing a 20-year-old Lionel Messi bathing a five-month-old Lamine Yamal in a plastic tub at Camp Nou. The moment was captured during a charity calendar photoshoot organised by FC Barcelona and UNICEF, and resurfaced in 2024, gaining massive global attention as Yamal rose to prominence.
20-year-old soccer star Lionel Messi helps to bathe Lamine Yamal, who was merely six months old at the time, during a photo session in Sept. 2007 in the dressing room of the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
He believes the matchup transcends football itself, bringing together two generations in a single defining moment.
“The world is going to stop”
Infantino predicted Sunday’s final would attract an enormous global audience.“It’s going to be like fireworks. It’s going to be incredible. The world is going to stop.”“Three billion people are going to watch how this World Cup ends.” He added.The FIFA president also praised the atmosphere throughout the tournament, saying the scale of the event had exceeded even his own expectations.“I imagined it would be big, but not like this. Not on this scale, with this atmosphere, this celebration, and this energy.”According to Infantino, supporters from around the world have transformed the competition into a global celebration.“There’s a feeling of happiness all over the world. Of course, when you lose you’re sad, but people have come from everywhere to celebrate football.”
Why Infantino believes this has been the greatest World Cup
Infantino did not hesitate when asked how he would rank the tournament.“The World Cup is absolutely spectacular, unique, and incredible.”He continued:“The best players, the best teams, the people, the stadiums are packed, and it’s a total celebration.”For the FIFA president, the tournament has delivered everything the governing body hoped for, while also laying the foundations for future editions.“The world stops and watches. It’s the best in history, past and present, and it also prepares us for the future.”He also highlighted what he described as the peaceful atmosphere created throughout the month-long tournament.“We haven’t had any incidents. People have come from all over the world, and everyone is celebrating football.”Infantino concluded by praising both traditional football powers and emerging nations for contributing to the spectacle.“All the champions have played, but also new teams and new countries. We’ve seen stories that only football can write and turn into legend.”Before ending the interview, he repeated his assessment in unmistakable terms.“It’s the best World Cup in history.”
Tournament has not been without controversy
Despite Infantino’s glowing assessment, the 2026 World Cup has also been accompanied by several high-profile controversies.FIFA has faced criticism over a number of refereeing decisions during the tournament, particularly in matches involving defending champions Argentina. Disputed VAR calls and officiating decisions prompted the viral social media term “VARgentina”, although FIFA’s refereeing department and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni have consistently rejected suggestions of favouritism and defended the integrity of the competition.Infantino has also faced scrutiny over FIFA’s relationship with United States President Donald Trump after the governing body overturned the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun following Trump’s public intervention. Human rights organisation FairSquare subsequently lodged a complaint with the International Olympic Committee’s Ethics Commission, alleging breaches of political neutrality, while UEFA and the Belgian Football Association were among those critical of the decision.
President Donald Trump speaks as FIFA President Gianni Infantino listens at a reception at Trump Tower in New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Separately, FIFA is also assessing disciplinary reports following Argentina players’ post-match display of a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” after their semifinal victory over England. FIFA has confirmed that its independent Disciplinary Committee is reviewing the relevant match reports before deciding whether any further action is warranted under the FIFA Disciplinary Code.None of those issues, however, have altered Infantino’s view of the tournament.The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kicking off at 12:30 AM IST on Monday, July 20, 2026. Infantino remains convinced that the competition has delivered the perfect ending, with the sport’s greatest champion sharing the stage one last time with the player many believe could define the future of the tournament.
