UNITED STATES, July 18, (v7n) – Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey as organisers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from wildfires in Canada.

Lionel Messi's Argentina are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are trying to win a second title after their maiden victory in 2010. Organisers said they were "monitoring closely" the smoke that has choked skies over large areas of the United States, with a National Weather Service representative stationed at FIFA headquarters. US President Donald Trump will be among over 80,000 spectators at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey—his only attendance at the tournament—alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who accepted Trump's invitation.

Trump on Friday hailed the World Cup, also played in Mexico and Canada, as "the most successful sporting event perhaps in the history of the world" during a reception with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Spain captain Rodri said he was bracing for a "physical" battle and aimed to ignore any "provocations." The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner said he expected the final to be unlike any other game Spain had faced. "I think Sunday's match will be quite different," the Manchester City star told reporters. "It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared. But I believe that if we are known for something in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here."

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Messi lead out his team in another World Cup final at age 39. "He has made history. He is a legend," Scaloni said. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said he gets emotional reflecting on their success: "Honestly sometimes I cry to myself thinking about what we have achieved. My message to my teammates is that they should enjoy this moment, prepare with a smile on our faces. This is something we will remember forever."

England arrived in Miami to play France on Saturday in the third-place play-off. Coach Thomas Tuchel admitted their 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina had been painful: "We have to live with this, so it's our pain, my pain and the players' pain—we feel the most pain of all. And it is our scar that we carry now." France coach Didier Deschamps vowed no tears as he prepared for his final match in charge, having guided them to glory in 2018 and the final in 2022. "I know that the final curtain falls tomorrow," Deschamps said. "No one here is going to cry, but I know I'll miss the French team. For 15 years, I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult."

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