Hollywood actor Tom Cruise said the World Cup “unites people” and told fans to “celebrate each other” in an address on the pitch at the MetLife stadium before Spain met Argentina in the final of the 2026 edition.
With Donald Trump watching on – the US president said it was “hard to bet against” Argentina captain Lionel Messi prevailing in the showpiece – Cruise spoke minutes before the start of the most prestigious match in the international game.
“Football is a language spoken without words,” declared Cruise. “A force that unites people, that turns strangers into friends and reminds us of what we all have in common.
“These stories belong to each and every one of us: to every nation, to every player, to every supporter, to every volunteer, to every dream carried on the pitch.
“So as we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together. Let us celebrate each other.”
United States president Donald Trump gets his hands on the World Cup trophy – he’s watching the final alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino. pic.twitter.com/z8wjFcg3H9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 19, 2026
Spain vs Argentina: What Tom Cruise said before World Cup final
With billions of people around the world watching, Cruise called the spectacle “human” and “greatness”.
“More than 30 days ago, 48 nations began a journey,” added the 64-year-old. “They crossed oceans, they crossed borders, they crossed cultures.
“Together, they showed us why this game belongs to the world. From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness and we have shared in moments of joy, moments of hope. Moments we will all never forget.”
World Cup final 2026: Spain team vs Argentina
Once the action began, Spain were unchanged from their semi-final win over France.
Spain starting XI: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal
Spain substitutes: David Raya, Joan Garcia, Marc Pubill, Alex Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Gavi, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Victor Munoz, Borja Iglesias
World Cup final 2026: Argentina full starting line up vs Spain
Argentina made three alterations from their last-four victory over England, bringing in Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Gonzalez and Gonzalo Montiel for Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina.
Argentina XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi
Argentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez
Where to watch Spain vs Argentina: TV channel, online live stream
Kick-off on Sunday was at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One and ITV1.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website and ITV’s website and ITVX app.
Spain vs Argentina: World Cup final 2026 stats
- This is the first time the reigning Copa America champions have faced the reigning European champions in a World Cup final
- Argentina are the sixth reigning champions to reach a World Cup final – the first two won (Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962), but the last three have lost (Argentina in 1990, Brazil in 1998 and France in 2022)
- This is the first time the two nations ranked first (Argentina) and second (Spain) in FIFA’s rankings have met at any stage of a World Cup
- Messi’s side are competing in their seventh World Cup final, with only Germany playing more (8)
- The captain is set to become the second player in World Cup history to appear in three finals (2014, 2022 and 2026), along with Brazil’s Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002)
- At 39 years and 25 days of age, Messi could become the oldest outfield player to appear in a final (39 years, 25 days).
- They are three-time winners (1978, 1986, 2022) and three-time runners-up (1930, 1990, 2014)
- Having won all seven of their matches at the 2026 edition, Argentina could become the first team since Brazil in 2002 (won 7/7) to have a 100% winning record at a single edition
- Spain’s total of six clean sheets is the most by any side at a single World Cup tournament and they are unbeaten in their last 37 matches in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in March 2024
- Should Spain avoid defeat, they will have set the longest ever unbeaten run by a European nation
