Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; New York | July 18 : The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a thrilling conclusion as defending champions Argentina prepare to face European giants Spain in the grand final. Before football's biggest showdown takes centre stage, fans will witness the third-place play-off between France and England, with both teams looking to end their campaigns on a high and secure a prestigious podium finish along with a substantial financial reward.

The third-place match between France and England is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 a.m. IST on July 19. Although the encounter does not decide the championship, it remains a significant fixture, offering not only the honour of finishing third in the world but also a sizeable prize purse.

France booked their place in the third-place play-off after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals. Spain delivered another commanding performance, continuing their remarkable defensive record in the tournament. So far, Belgium remains the only team to have scored against the Spanish side during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the exceptional form of Spain's defence as they head into the final.

Argentina, meanwhile, produced one of the tournament's most dramatic comebacks to secure their place in the final. Trailing England until the 84th minute of the semi-final, Lionel Messi inspired the reigning champions to a stunning 2-1 victory with a late turnaround. Messi played a decisive role in both goals as Argentina once again demonstrated the resilience that carried them to the world title four years ago.

With Argentina aiming to defend their crown and Spain seeking another World Cup triumph, the final promises to be one of the biggest matches in international football.

Beyond the prestige and global recognition, the tournament also offers record-breaking financial rewards. FIFA has announced a total prize pool of US$871 million for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, equivalent to approximately ₹8,400 crore, making it the richest prize fund in the history of the competition.

The financial rewards extend well beyond the finalists. The team that finishes third will receive approximately ₹279 crore, while the fourth-placed side will take home around ₹259 crore. As a result, both France and England are guaranteed significant prize money regardless of the outcome of the third-place play-off, making the match valuable from both a sporting and financial perspective.

The spotlight will then shift to the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, scheduled for late Sunday night. The winning team will receive US$51 million, equivalent to approximately ₹490 crore, along with the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy and the title of world champions.

The runners-up will also receive a substantial reward of around ₹317 crore, ensuring that both finalists leave the tournament with significant financial gains in addition to worldwide recognition.

With record prize money on offer, the final stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup promise not only unforgettable football but also historic financial rewards. As Argentina and Spain prepare for the biggest match of the tournament, and France and England battle for third place, the closing chapter of the World Cup will determine both footballing glory and some of the richest prize payouts ever awarded in international sport.