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World Cup closing ceremony: How to watch World Cup 2022 final live online, TV channel, pick, odds, time

Before argentina vs. france, there's the closing ceremony.

Before the fireworks kick off on the pitch for the World Cup final between France and Argentina, there will be live performances in in the closing ceremony for the the tourmant. There will be a stable of performers who have been featured on the FIFA World Cup official soundtrack including Davido and Aisha, Izuna and Gims, Nora Fatehi, Balqees, and Rahma Riad and Manal.

There could also be surprise performances with the designated fan zones seeing performances from different artists. Lil John, Post Malone, and DJ Snake were some recent performers in the lead up to the third place game and the opening ceremony was headlined by Jungkook of BTS.

Here's our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:

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• Date : Sunday, Dec. 17 |  Time : 8 a.m. ET
• Location : Lusail Ionic Stadium -- Lusail, Qatar
• TV:  FOX |  Live stream:  fuboTV (Try for free)

Hayya Hayya will be one of the featured songs during the ceremony and Nora Fatehi, an Indian actress/ musician, is expected to perform a song in Hindi during the ceremony. The performance is expected to last around 30 minutes to give France and Argentina an appropriate time to warm up and get the stage disassembled before the final.

It has been a memorable tournament with upsets to remember and the closing ceremony will look to set the stage for a memorable final. Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi need no introductions but the additional excitement won't hurt. 

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Champions Argentina return home with the trophy

Thousands of fans accompanied the team when their plane arrived at 2.26am

Argentina's plane arrived in Buenos Aires at 2.26 in the morning

The first person to greet the public was Lionel Messi

The celebrations will continue throughout Tuesday

Argentina's plane touched down at Ezeiza Internatonal Airport in Buenos Aires at 2.26 on Tuesday morning, carrying the world champions.

After close to 20 hours of travelling, Lionel Scaloni's team arrived in the capital where thousands of fans were waiting for them to arrive to thank them for winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar™.

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The first person to come out of the plane door was captain Lionel Messi, clutching the World Cup in his right hand. Moments later, coach Scaloni joined his talisman to start descending the stairs, along with the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia.

After disembarking the plane, the players, coaching staff and directors climbed aboard the bus and were taken to the team's headquarters, just a few kilometres away from the airport, where the band La Mosca Tsé-Tsé played the hit song “Muchachos”, which has been the soundtrack to the team's adventures in Qatar.

Tens of thousands of fans accompanied the team on their journey to the base, while the players waved to them from the top deck of the bus.

Later today Messi and his team-mates will begin their victory parade of the city centre to celebrate their triumph over France on penalties, which brought the World Cup back to Argentina after 36 years, with their fans.

The champions' route, which will cover an area of more than 60 kilometres, will include a trip to the famous site of Obelisco, where Buenos Aires citizens usually congregate to celebrate big sporting triumphs. It is expected that millions of Argentinians will come to offer their congratulations to the team that won the nation's third World Cup.

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Argentina and Messi spot on for World Cup glory A tribute to Lionel Messi The excitement and emotion of a classic final Highlights | All highlights from FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Press Conferences | All press conferences from Qatar 2022 Post-Match Summary Reports | Check out FIFA's state-of-the-art insights, metrics and performance data in our ground-breaking post-match summary reports

Argentina wins World Cup on penalty kicks over France

A World Cup final for the ages delivered a crowning glory for soccer icon Lionel Messi on Sunday as Argentina beat reigning men's champion France on penalty kicks.

One of the most dramatic major sporting events in history had the teams tied 3-3 after extra time, with the French ultimately missing twice in the shootout before Gonzalo Montiel converted to seal an exhausting and emotional victory.

Argentina had dominated the bulk of the match, leading 2-0 with just about 10 minutes to go, but France burst into life with star forward Kylian Mbappé scoring twice in as many minutes. Both sides traded missed chances and then late goals again in the 30 minutes of extra time before the tension of penalty kicks.

The game capped a month of sporting drama and geopolitical controversy in Qatar. The tournament featured surprise results and fairy-tale runs , but the final had two giants of the game compete for the title — headlined by a pair of stars.

The speedy and skillful Mbappé solidified his claim as the young pretender to Messi’s throne, scoring a hat trick as France came so close to being the first team to go back to back since Brazil in 1962.

But ultimately, it was Messi, 35, who took the glory, securing the trophy that cements his status as perhaps the game's greatest ever player by sealing a third title for his soccer-mad country.

Afterward, he said he isn’t through.

“I’m not retiring from the national team. I want to continue playing as a champion,” Messi said in a Spanish-language  interview with TyC Sports  after the final. “It’s the most beautiful thing there is.”

Follow our live coverage here.

What to know about the World Cup final

• Argentina wins on penalty kicks after a dramatic final ended 3-3 in extra time.
• France scored twice in 90 seconds late in the game to stun Argentina and tie the final.
• Argentina led 2-0 at the half thanks to goals from Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.
• Sunday's final took place in Lusail, a city fast-tracked into existence for the World Cup, which has been clouded by criticism of host Qatar's human rights record , as well as the environmental and financial cost of the tournament.

Photo: Lionel Messi holds the trophy

Golden Ball awarded to Lionel Messi

David K. Li

Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, recognizing him as the tournament's most outstanding player.

Moments after being given the honor, Messi kissed the World Cup.

The resume is complete: Messi has his World Cup trophy

Teammates mobbed the great Lionel Messi moments after the winning kick, knowing he can no longer be dogged by the one trophy not on his mantle.

Despite being a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and a member of 10 Spanish League championship teams and four UEFA Champions League-winning sides, fans back home in Argentina had long held that missing World Cup trophy against him.

Argentina won last year's Copa America , but fans weren't satisfied until Sunday, when Messi's side won the sport's ultimate prize.

ARGENTINA WINS THE WORLD CUP

Gonzalo Montiel converts his penalty, and a dramatic final is won by Lionel Messi and his team!

FRANCE SCORES

Randal Kolo Muani ensures this isn't over just yet.

ARGENTINA SCORES

Leandro Paredes makes it 3-1. One away ...

FRANCE MISSES

Aurelien Tchouameni hits it wide, and France has missed 2 out of 3!

Photos: Fans watch as World Cup heads to penalty shootout

It's advantage Argentina! Paulo Dybala scores.

FRANCE MISSES!!

Kingsley Coman has his penalty saved by Emi Martinez!

MESSI SCORES! IT'S 1-1

We are tied on penalty kicks after 1 each.

Mbappé Scores! 1-0 TO FRANCE

Messi next ...

Kylian Mbappé to take first

He's scored two penalties already. Can he again?

Mbappé only second player to hat trick in World Cup final

Doha Madani

France's Kylian Mbappé is the first player in more than 50 years to score three goals in a World Cup final.

Mbappé, 23, scored two back-to-back goals at 80 minutes to tie the game after an early deficit for France. HE once again saved Les Bleus’ chances with a penalty kick goal.

England's Geoff Hurst was previously the only player to ever score a hat trick in a World Cup final. He was 24 when he made history against West Germany in 1966.

World Cup to be won on penalties

The 2022 World Cup final will be decided on penalty kicks after Argentina and France could not be separated at the end of extra time.

The shootout will bring back bitter memories for French fans, as the last World Cup to be decided by penalties was France's 2006 loss to Italy. Argentina may have a slight edge, having just won a quarterfinal in a shootout against the Netherlands.

Both teams have scored penalties in the game, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the decisive shootout.

Both teams miss huge chances to win it

First Argentina goalie Emi Martinez thwarts France with an incredible save, then Argentina pours forward and Lautaro Martinez heads wide.

One final twist?

We have three more minutes of a truly stunning final. Can someone win it before penalty kicks?

The NFL must go on as scheduled

English-language viewers in the U.S. will probably have to change channels if they want to see the World Cup trophy presentation.

With 1 p.m. ET NFL kickoffs approaching, postmatch action from Qatar will likely shift from Fox to Fox Sports 1.

It's 3-3. Kylian Mbappé scores again and we are tied!

The French forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and has a hat trick in the World Cup final.

PENALTY TO FRANCE

The drama isn't over ... it's a handball.

GOAL ARGENTINA

Lionel Messi has the ball in the net, and Argentina's players go wild.

There were suggestions of a potential offside in the buildup, but the goal stands, and Argentina leads this dramatic World Cup final 3-2 with 10 minutes of extra time to go.

Argentina misses chances

Argentina came close with a flurry of chances to end the first period of extra time.

Substitute forward Lautaro Martinez was twice played in behind the French line but missed thanks to a combination of desperate defending and wayward finishing.

The weekend of comebacks: Vikings and Les Bleus

The Minnesota Vikings scored the greatest comeback in NFL history on Saturday, and now France is on the verge of another historic rally.

The comparison wasn't lost on American sports fans.

Penalty kicks will follow if no winner after extra time

France and Argentina will be given two additional halves of 15 minutes to decide this final, and the match would go to penalty kicks if there's no winner after that.

The last World Cup final decided by a shootout was in 2006, when France lost to Italy.

Extra time underway

As if 90 minutes wasn't exhausting enough ... we're back underway for 30 more.

Messi almost wins it at the death

Messi may be 35, but he still has enough left in the tank to come oh so close to glory in the dying moments.

After consistent French pressure, a rare Argentina attack in the 96th minute saw the ball fall to Messi in a central position about 25 yards out. He struck a fierce shot that was just a little too close to French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who parried it away to ensure we would head to extra time.

90 minutes not enough to crown World Cup winner

France and Argentina are headed for at least 30 more minutes of play with the score tied, 2-2.

Extra time in the World Cup final is far from uncommon, as Germany needed more than 90 minutes to defeat Argentina, 1-0, for the 2014 crown in Brazil. Mario Götze scored in the 114th minute for the Germans.

Photos: Kylian Mbappé's  back-to-back goals

8 minutes of added time

The officials have added eight minutes on at the end here.

Is there time for one last dramatic twist, or are we heading for an extra 30?

Argentina gives up lead, echoing mistakes in Netherlands game

Soccer fans are in disbelief as France rallied from 2-0 goal deficit with back-to-back goals from Kylian Mbappé at about 80 minutes of play.

Argentina is echoing mistakes it made in the game against the Netherlands earlier in the tournament. The Dutch team equalized the game with two late goals in the quarterfinal. Argentina scraped a win on penalty kicks to advance to the semifinals.

France's comeback was unlikely after it had given up so much of the momentum to Argentina early in the game, but clearly not impossible.

Incredible. Kylian Mbappé has scored again, a second goal in two minutes.

A remarkable turnaround from the reigning champs, barely threatening for 80 minutes but bursting into life to level the final and stun Argentina.

It's 2-1 with 10 minutes to go after Kylian Mbappé converts the penalty kick.

Hugo Lloris staying busy, keeping France's slim hopes alive

Lloris, the French captain, has made four saves for Les Bleus, limiting what could be an even more one-sided match.

On the other side of the pitch, Argentina's Emiliano Martínez has not yet needed to stop an on-target French shot.

France has a golden chance to get back in the final!

Nicolas Otamendi brought down Randal Kolo Muani inside the area, and after failing to threaten for 80 minutes, the holders have a chance.

France finally takes a shot on goal after an hour of play

Kylian Mbappé took the first shot on goal for France at the 70-minute mark of Sunday's final match.

Les Bleus are being devastated by the Argentine team, which has taken nine shots on goal and leads 2-0. It's been an abysmal attempt to keep the title of reigning champions by France despite a strong defense and a lineup of stars.

Hugo Lloris making two big plays to keep match within sight

Julián Álvarez's left-footed blast from a short angle was saved nicely by Hugo Lloris in the 59th minute.

Then, moments later, Lloris made a desperate sliding clearance to keep the ball away from Alexis Mac Allister and what could have been another goal for Argentina.

Argentina eases its attack, plays keepaway from France

In a big shift in tactics, Argentina came into the second half taking its time as it looks to secure its lead without exhausting its players.

The team came back after the break and appeared to be slowing down the pace of play. With a 2-0 lead, Argentina is looking to keep possession away from France but without the pressure it previously applied.

France had to come back with a more aggressive offensive than it applied at the beginning of the match. All eyes were on Kylian Mbappé, France’s 23-year-old superstar.

But Mbappé hasn't shown the powerhouse attacks that have made him a French favorite.

France not making much headway into Argentina defense

Twelve minutes into the second half, Les Bleus have barely made a dent into Argentina's stout defense.

Argentina still holds a solid advantage in possession, holding on to the ball 47% of the time, compared to France's 37%.

This 2-0 deficit is looking more mountainous by the moment.

Was it a penalty kick? Referee's call draws scrutiny

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak wasted no time pointing to the spot when Angel Di Maria went down under the challenge of Ousmane Dembele midway through the half.

There appeared to be minimal contact, but the Video Assistant Referee saw nothing worthy of overturning the call. It will be scrutinized long after the game is over, but France has failed to perform regardless of the merits of the decision.

Second half underway

Argentina is 45 minutes, and maybe a few more, from glory.

France needs to turn things around to overcome the 2-goal hole it's left itself in.

France, down 2-0 at halftime, looking for a Swiss miracle

Only one team has ever rallied from a two-goal deficit in World Cup final history, and that was staged by a country that's no longer on the map.

In a match known as the "Miracle of Bern," Hungary scored twice in the first eight minutes before West Germany came back for a 3-2 victory in the 1954 final played in the Swiss capital.

France's mountain will be much more steep that West Germany's in "Das Wunder von Bern" as the underdogs responded immediately with two goals that had the match tied at halftime.

Helmut Rahn scored the winne r in the 84th minute.

A goal fit for the final

Argentina's second was a thrilling goal that saw them sweep forward at pace, exposing France's defense with pinpoint passes from Messi and others.

The inclusion of Angel Di Maria for Argentina was a slight surprise, but he won the penalty and then converted the second to justify coach Lionel Scaloni's big call.

Reigning champs outplayed

Though France came in as the World Cup's reigning champions, they failed to show up in the first half against Argentina.

The French team has shown a strong defense throughout the tournament and sought to pick its moments to attack. But cracks showed in the goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, and with the defense under pressure France's attack has failed to fire.

Argentina has 6 shots to 0 from Les Bleus, who will have to come out of halftime with a more aggressive game if they plan to overcome the deficit.

Struggling France makes early subs

France has barely had a kick so far, and now coach Didier Deschamps has made a pair of changes just before half time.

Center forward Olivier Giroud and wide forward Ousmane Dembele have been replaced by Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, who scored in the semi final.

It's surprisingly early to make drastic changes but France needs to shift things, and there were reports of players being struck by a cold virus and some injuries in the past week.

Argentina fans overjoyed as team leads first half 2-0

Argentina fans in Qatar and around the world are besides themselves after a surprise goal from Angel Di Maria offers the team a deeper advantage before the conclusion of the first half.

France is being dominated offensively as Argentina attempts to take their title as reigning champions.

GOAL FOR ARGENTINA

Argentina burst through the French defense with a sweeping move on the counterattack and Angel Di Maria lifts his finish past helpless French goalie Hugo Lloris to double his side's lead.

Another free kick for France

France was awarded a second free kick after Argentina fouled Olivier Giroud as he approached the goal.

It's the second free kick where France failed to score in the first half hour of the game.

Messi sends the goalie the wrong way and puts Argentina 1-0 up in the World Cup final.

Penalty to Argentina

Argentina has a penalty after Angel Di Maria was tripped inside the box by a French defender. A chance for Lionel Messi to give his team the lead...

France fails to take lead with free kick

France squandered the opportunity to take the advantage early on after being given a free kick just before the match hit the 20 minute mark.

The kick, taken by Antoine Griezmann, sailed toward Argentina's box where Olivier Giroud attempted to assist the ball into the net.

Unfortunately for the French, the bail sailed well over the net.

Photos: Fans gather in Paris and Buenos Aires

Roars all around the fan zones in Doha

Elizabeth Kuhr

Mithil Aggarwal

DOHA, Qatar — Hundreds of roaring fans took to the jam-packed fan zones across Doha as an alternative to the main stadium.

Ahmed Eid, 22, who is Saudi Arabian, said he was rooting for Argentina. "Because Messi. I love Messi," he said.

Another Argentian fan Daniela Tabia, 35, cried as the national anthem played moments before kickoff. "Soccer unites the people," Tabia, who is Cuban-Columbian told NBC News.

Argentina starts on the front foot

Argentina has applied pressure to the reigning champions early on in the final.

The team has already has a couple attempts on France's goal in the first 15 minutes of the gave, failing to score.

Messi led his team into the box for one failed shot on goal, but France's defense has proved hard to break down through the tournament

Argentina earned its first corner kick at about 10 minutes, however. It was taken by Messi and led to chaos in front of the goal that saw Hugo Lloris, the French goalie, go down as he got hit in the stomach while players scrambled.

Will Mbappé repeat Pelé's run?

The golden name in French soccer, forward striker Kylian Mbappé, will attempt to emulate the success of the Brazilian superstar Pelé today.

In 2018, Mbappe joined Pelé to be the only teenagers ever to score a goal at a world cup final. His stunning performance led France to its ultimate victory.

On Sunday, he goes up against his club teammate and Argentian captain, Lionel Messi, to secure his first two world cups, back-to-back, just like Pelé.

Elon Musk seen at FIFA World Cup Final

Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and the new owner of Twitter, was seen at Lusail Stadium in Qatar attending the final.

Musk has been making headlines over his recent changes to Twitter policies, including suspending accounts of multiple journalists who cover him. He recently changed Twitter's terms and conditions to ban accounts who track the locations of private airplanes. He justified the decision by citing safety concerns.

Some Twitter users joked the risk of posting Musk's attendance at the World Cup for fear he might ban accounts for sharing his real-time location . The new Twitter policies don't ban users from posting their own location, which Musk did shortly after others noted his appearance at the game.

Americans in Paris cheer for France

PARIS, France — Minneapolis resident Casie Budolfson, 47, who was on a holiday with her 13-year-old son Rylan, was cheering for France.

"We’re gonna support France since we’re in Paris," she said, adding the French team was stronger.

“I think we should have more world sports events like this because everybody seems to put aside all their worries and watch the games,” said Budolfson. "Everyone just comes together," she added.

Final reminder: Here's how to watch the World Cup final

U.S. TV viewers can watch the Argentina-France match on their local Fox or Telemundo stations, for English and Spanish broadcasts, respectively.

Fox and Peacock will also stream the title match with kickoff at 10 a.m. EST from Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

"The party is going to be here," French fans cheer in Paris

PARIS, France — French fans from all across the country have flocked sports bars in Paris, as a celebratory festive mood takes over the streets before the big match kicks off.

"The party is going to be here, it’s going to be better," Lucas Yocom, 21, who came with his three friends from Vosges in northeastern France, told NBC News, adding that there was "no chance" for Argentina to win.“They have just Messi; we have a good team. A very good team. Everyone on the team,” he said.

The lineups are in

Here are how the teams line up for the World Cup final.

The headlines appear to be the return of experienced midfielder Angel Di Maria for Argentina, an attacking addition, and the return of Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot from illness for France.

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.

France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud.

The last time they met

Today's finalists also clashed in Russia in 2018.

A topsy-turvy game in the final 16 of that tournament saw France win 4-3. This Argentina side is much improved, however, and both teams play a style that may mean we're in for a lower scoring affair this time.

Messi's grand finale

This is not just a final between Argentina and France, it's also a tussle with history for Lionel Messi.

Argentina's legendary forward will try, one last time, to clinch what would be both his first and final World Cup at the age of 35.

With over 750 goals for club and country, Messi is already in the pantheon of soccer greats. He's scored five goals so far in Qatar, putting in his best performance on the global stage, and is now hoping to lead his country to its first title since 1986.

Can Messi win his first World Cup? France’s Mbappé stands in the way

The first half of france's bid for back-to-back world cups.

France is back Sunday to defend its crown after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

That tournament marked the emergence of Kylian Mbappé, who was just 19 at the time. He became the only teen after the Brazilian superstar Pelé to score a goal in the World Cup final.

France's other scorers that day were Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann. Pogba missed this tournament through injury but Griezmann has been a key player in the French run, working tirelessly and allowing Mbappé to focus on terrifying opposition defenses.

U.S. envoy to U.N. talks sports and diplomacy

Meagan Fitzgerald

DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told NBC News ahead of the final that major sporting events like the World Cup can help fuel progress and smooth diplomacy.

Host Qatar has faced criticism over its human rights record, but Thomas-Greenfield said “we hope we can influence those countries to make changes to accept people who are different...and you can’t do that if you’re not talking to them. If you’re not engaging. That’s what diplomacy is about.”

Scenes from the stadium

The huge environmental cost of the Qatar World Cup

Armelle De Oliveira

Patrick Smith

Air conditioning in huge open-air stadiums, hundreds of international flights, lots and lots of lights. 

More than a million people have traveled to Qatar for one of the planet’s biggest sporting events. But as it hosts the soccer World Cup, controversy is also descending on the tiny Gulf kingdom.

Alongside concerns over human rights, anti-LGBTQ laws and the treatment of migrant workers — issues that have dogged the tournament for years — critics say Qatar 2022 will be one of the most environmentally damaging of modern times.

Read the full story here.

All France wants for Christmas...

A World Cup in winter may feel strange, but fans taking part in the traditional Christmas bath in Nice this morning appear to have made a virtue out of it.

The song that's become the anthem for Argentina's run

Associated Press

If you've watched an Argentina game this World Cup, you've heard it.

Fans clad in blue-and-white have belted it out in the stands, on the streets of Doha and back home in South America. The team has joined in after games both on the field and in videos from the locker room.

"Muchachos,” which was written by a fan, includes references to soccer greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. It also knocks rival Brazil and pays homage to the Argentine soldiers who fought in the Falklands war against Britain.

“Guys, now we’re getting our hopes up again, I want to win the third one, I want to be a world champion,” says the chorus of the song you'll surely be hearing again once the game begins.

Morocco’s surprise World Cup run rallied a legion of Arab fans

Morocco won't be in today's big game, but the team's fairytale run to the semi finals will go down as one of the stories of this World Cup.

Led by coach Walid Regragui, the Atlas Lions beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal thanks to a style that combined stout defense with daring counterattacks.

Morocco lost to France in the semi finals, but not before they sealed their place in soccer folklore as the first African and Arab team to reach that stage. The run was backed by a legion of loud and proud fans in Qatar and beyond.

Why Qatar may see the World Cup as a win despite the criticism

Alexander Smith

Qatar’s World Cup appeared to be a public relations disaster.

The event has become a magnifying glass for the tiny petrostate’s human rights record, highlighting rather than airbrushing its treatment of LGBTQ people, women and migrant workers. On the field, the Qatari national team’s performances earned it the sorry record of being the worst showing by a host nation in the competition’s 92-year history.

But for this gas-rich Gulf peninsula, the real spoils of this tournament may be found elsewhere: satisfied visitors, business deals and international recognition that could lead to greater national security.

How they made the final

France qualified easily from the group stage and beat Poland in the first knockout round, before squeezing past England in the quarter final. Surprise package Morocco, the tournament's Cindarella team, were waiting in the semi final but Les Bleus advanced thanks to an early goal from defender Theo Hernández and a late second from young substitute Randal Kolo Muani.

Argentina opened its campaign with a shock defeat to unfancied Saudi Arabia but still recovered to top its group. A narrow win over Australia was followed by a tense penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands, which had knocked out Team USA a round prior. Messi then led a comfortable semi final win over Croatia. which had knocked out favorites Brazil a round earlier.

Bronze goes to...

It's the game nobody really wants to play in or let's face it, watch. But the 3rd place playoff gives the losing semifinalists a chance to exit on a high despite their disappointment at missing out on the big game.

On Saturday Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 to seal 3rd place, following their loss to France in the final in Russia in 2018.

A final for the ages

France, winners of soccer’s most coveted trophy in 1998 and 2018, is seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back men's World Cup titles since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.

On the other side Argentina is hoping to capture the country’s first World Cup title since the 1986 tournament, best known for a quarterfinal victory over England that featured legend Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal.

Les Bleus against La Albiceleste. Kylian Mbappé against Lionel Messi. 

Follow our coverage here through kick off at 10 a.m. ET and beyond.

Doha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: she/her.

David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Max Burman is deputy editor in the London bureau of NBC News Digital.

Argentina vs France summary: trophy presentation, score, goals, highlights | Qatar World Cup 2022 final

Argentina vs France: as it happened

WORLD CUP 2022

Who is Antonia Farías, the woman who hugged Lionel Messi after he won the 2022 World Cup?

Meet Antonia Farías, the woman who effusively hugged the PSG star after Argentina’s triumph and who was mistaken for his mother.

World Cup 2030: Saudi Arabia’s massive bid with Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

So 2022 is over, and 2026 is in the US, Canada and Mexico... but where will we be heading in 2030? Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be backing a Saudi Arabia World Cup 2030 bid!

“Messi’s goal in extra time was illegal” - controversy in Argentina-France aftermath

The 2022 World Cup final was a classic, with Lionel Scaloni’s men prevailing after a dramatic penalty shootout, but a controversy has arisen in France.

Should Messi's extra-time goal have been disallowed?

Which World Cup has had the most goals scored?

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar ended on Sunday adding six goals to the competition’s total, but how does that compare to other FIFA editions?

Ronaldo congratulates Lionel Messi for 2022 World Cup win

Ronaldo Nazario, two-time FIFA World Champion, was quick to send congratulations after Argentina’s triumph in Qatar.

How Scaloni won World Cup with Messi plea in 2016

The Argentina coach couldn’t control his emotions on Sunday as he and his team lifted the 2022 World Cup, but the success stems back to an earlier action.

Argentina: 2022 World Champions

Messi reveals plans to play on for Argentina

Lionel Messi could have retired from Argentina duty after getting his hands on the World Cup, but he revealed he intends to play on.

Argentina shirts sell out after World Cup triumph

Any fans looking to get their hands on an Argentina shirt as a memento of the World Cup triumph may be disappointed as many Adidas websites are totally sold out of both the home and away jerseys. Ongoing supply chain issues and massive demand have contributed to the situation where fans across the planet are having to go without their replica shirts.

Leo Messi wins 2022 World Cup Golden Ball award

Messi becomes the first player ever to win the Fifa World Cup Golden Ball award

Argentina: 2022 World Cup winners!

Neymar and Lebron hail Messi

Sporting greats have been quick to pay tribute to Argentina and Leo Messi in particular with Neymar congratulating his 'brother' and LeBron paying homage to the GOAT

Ok, signing off.

Thank you to everyone who has accompanied me and the rest of the team at AS USA for the coverage of the Qatar World Cup 2022 . It has been a pleasure to provide you with information - and hopefully entertainment - during the past 4 weeks. 

The football was fantastic, the final might be the best ever and what a way to finish: with Messi lifting the World Cup for Argentina .

Thank you again and make sure to head on over to en.as.com for all the latest news in sport and beyond!

Here's Joe's team of the tournament - do you agree?

ATT - Messi (     ​​​​​)

ATT - Mbappé (     )

ATT - Griezmann (     )

MID - ​​​ Amrabat (     )

MID - Modric (     )

MID - Enzo Fernández  (     )

MID - Bellingham (no flag)

DEF - Gvardiol (     )

DEF - Rodri (     )

DEF - Hakimi (     ​​​​​​)

GK- Martínez (     ​​​​​​​)

Kun Agüero was never going to miss this!

He's still a huge part of the team, clearly so loved by the players.

Another Messi photo...

I'm not going to stop any time soon!

Messi lifts the World Cup / KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

Messi lifts the World Cup

Here's the trophy lift .  ​​​​​​​

What a moment in football history.

Barcelona recognise their greatest ever player

"For us you will always be the best"

Messi lifts the World Cup trophy / DYLAN MARTINEZ / REUTERS

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France

Here is the image that football has waited so, so long to see!

ARGENTINA ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE THIRD TIME

LIONEL MESSI LIFTS THE WORLD CUP FOR ARGENTINA!!!!!!!

            ​​​​​​​

And now it is Lionel Messi's turn to receive his World Cup winners' medal

No waiting from Acuña, who is straight up after Di María, almost causing a logistical nightmare for the man in a suit and no socks. 

The players are up, one by one, to collect their medals. 

Now it's time for the World Cup winners...

Deschamps is stood there like an angry parent whose child has come home late. He's waiting on Mbappé, who is nearly held in a headlock by the President of France. 

Now it's time for the French players to receive their medals...

The Argentinians give them a guard of honour.

Les Bleus stop on the podium for a photo organised by a man in a suit with trainers and no socks, but they just want to get home. 

Messi kisses the World Cup trophy in a moment that will be carved into history.

The winner of the best player of the tournament.... LIONEL MESSI​​​​​​​

The golden boot award for the top scorer, with 8 goals ... KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

​​​​​​​He poses for the photo, looking like he wants to smash the camera, the trophy and the stadium to pieces.

Goalkeeper of the tournament goes to.... DIBU MARTÍNEZ

​​​​​​​ who also gets told off for standing in the wrong place.​​​​​

    ​​​​​​​

Young player of the tournament... ENZO FERNÁNDEZ

​​​​​​​He gets a bit lost on the stage, taking the wrong turn on the big 8. 

The stage is a massive 8 shape, the logo of the World Cup, but at this scale it looks like a Mario Kart racetrack. 

The referees are up first... a gold whistle* for each of them. For being the best referees. 

*it's a medal, really.

The medals are carried out on dinner trays, by people in airplane staff outfits. FIFA really going hard on the Qatar airways theme, I see.

Now Infantino is here along with his friend, the Emir of Qatar

Messi majestic as Montiel spot-kick wins the World Cup: Argentina player ratings...

While we wait for the presentation to begin, here's Paul's player ratings, that he definitely didn't have to change at the last minute. Twice.

As per in Qatar 2022, we have a light show first.

The trophy/medal presentation is about to begin...

Montiel scores the winning penalty in the World Cup final / CARL RECINE / REUTERS

The moment Argentina became World Champions

Lloris was sent the wrong way by Montiel, who scored the 4th penalty for Argentina, which was enough to see them win.

The stage is being prepared on the pitch for the trophy lift...

We've been working hard like this for four years. It's difficult to explain how I feel, I just think of my family. We are so proud. This feeling is never going to sink in. Leandro Paredes , Argentina

There's nothing more beautiful than this, with my family here. I will never forget it.  Enzo Fernández , Argentina

The South American players are jumping, dancing, singing with the fans, who are adoring every moment. 

Mbappé is being consoled by Dibu Martínez and Macron, the French President. He's ignoring both of them, staring into the distance. When France came alive, Mbappé was the star. He took on the pressure and brought his team into the game, forcing problems for Argentina until the very end. What a star. 

Despite everything, we arrived here today calm, you could see it. But if you don't suffer, it's not worth anything. The first half was very good, the second not so much, but we always came through it. This is for Argentina, for everyone who supports us. Nico Tagliafico , Argentina

Muchaaachooossss... sing it!

What an achievement for the whole team. 

Great scenes as Scaloni is in tears, hugged tightly by Di María.

It was a game we had controlled, two mistakes gave them a draw. We go 3-2 up, they get one back, then they almost get two more. Thank God for this, I have no words. I dedicate this to my family. Emi Martínez , Argentina Goalkeeper

The greatest of all time

There was never really a debate...

They have finally done it; Messi has finally done it. On penalties, after the maddest final in modern football, Argentina ended a wait they had kept up since 1986. They have overcome heartbreak from 1990 and 2014, putting to bed the ghosts that have haunted the country since the days of Diego Maradona. 

Messi waves to the fans, tears in his eyes, he will finally have his moment with the World Cup trophy. 

THE PLAYERS RUN OFF IN TEARS

ARGENTINA HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP IN THE CRAZIEST FINAL YOU WILL EVER SEE.

MESSI IS WORLD CHAMPION

ARGENTINA ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!

ARGENTINA WIN THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!

MONTIEL SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!

IF MONTIEL SCORES, THEY WIN THE WORLD CUP

This has to go in... 

SCORES!!!!!!!!

Paredes now...

WIDE!!!! HE MISSES!

Dibu kicks the ball away

Tchouameni...

SAVED!!!!!!!

DIBU TO THE RESCUE

GOAL! ONLY JUST!

Messi next...

Mbappé is first.

And France will shoot first!

The kicks will be taken in front of the Argentina fans...

Team talks complete...

Here we go...

What a crazy, crazy game of football. I can't even begin to process it.

I want to drink water, but I'm shaking so much I know I will just spill it all over myself. 

PENALTIES WILL DECIDE THE WORLD CUP FINAL WINNER

Mbappé almost gets a chance!!! He slides past 3 players but gets tackled inside the box!!!!!

ARGENTINA ATTACK!!! 

DIBU WHAT A SAVE 

I cannot keep up. Kolo Muani smacks a shot low and hard but somehow Dibu Martinez grows into a green giant and saves!!!!

LAUTARO ONE ON ONE! 

Argentina win a throw near the France goal. They play the ball all the way to the defence. 

France press, smelling blood.

Disasi on for Koundé

Dybala on for Tagliafico

3 minutes added.

SO CLOSE!!! THAT WAS THE CHANCE TO WIN!! KOLO MUANI ALMOST MAKES THE HEADER!! ​​​​​​​MARTINEZ HAD NO CHANCE

France now launch a counter attack...

ARGENTINA COME SO CLOSE!

Acuña wins a corner... into the final minute

Argentina attack... cut out 

MBAPPE SENDS MARTINEZ THE WRONG WAY TO DRAW LEVEL

IT IS 3-3!!!!

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GAME

GOOOOOAAAAALALLLLLLL ESXRDCTFVGYHESXRDCFTGVHESRDCFTGVYHBJDRFCTGVHBJCFTGVHBJKEXSRDFCTGHBJESXRDCFTGVHBJK

Mbappé steps up...

YES! PENALTY FOR FRANCE!!!!!!!!

HANDBALL! IS IT A PENALTY for FRANCE???

Mac Allister off for Pezzella

Corner for France, good work by Konaté.

Cleared away... for now

Paredes is booked for the tackle.

Free kick for France near the halfway line.

Now there's a fight, after Camavinga is fouled by Paredes...

Argentina hold the ball in the corner, some great timewasting here. 

Konaté on, Varane off

Varane is on the floor, he can't continue. 

Now France go again on the offensive, like before. 

Ok, I'll explain. Lautaro was played through on the right channel and he hit a shot that Lloris saved. It looked initially offside but he was just OK, by inches.

Messi got on the end of the rebound and although the defender cleared off the line, the referee's goal-line technology gave the goal!

​​​​​​​MESSI MAY HAVE WON HIS TEAM THE WORLD CUP.

IT LOOKED LIKE IT DIDN'T GO OVER THE LINE... BUT THE REFEREE GIVES THE GOAL.

MESSI GOT ON THE END OF THE SAVE FROM LLORIS AFTER LAUTARO'S SHOT!

MESSI MESSI MESSI MESSI MESSI

GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL 

GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA

Save from Lloris!

​​​​​​​ Messi had a shot from distance but it was a comfortable stop from the goalkeeper.

Argentina attack down the left before switching play to the right.

The cross comes in from Montiel but it is high above the heads of everyone.

And we're back underway again, again, again! 

The final 15 minutes of the World Cup final.

Argentina 2-2 France

Half time of extra time!

​​​​​​​Argentina 2-2 France

Now for always exciting on-pitch team talks . An underrated part of football.

LAUTARO MISSES AGAIN!!!

​​​​​​​ONE ON ONE, HE SAYS IT DEFLECTED. SHOT PUT WIDE.

1 added minute. Corner cleared. 

DOUBLE CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!!!!

​​​​​​​LAUTARO MISSES FROM 12 YARDS OUT BEFORE VARANE HEADS OVER THE VOLLEY THAT CAME AFTER. CORNER!

Paredes has slot himself in between the two centre-backs in an attempt to help with build up and aid in keeping people back in case of Kylian Mbappé.

Acuña whacks a shot high and wide . Koundé kept with him to defend well. 

De Paul and Álvarez OFF

Lautaro and Paredes ON

Despite the result and the nerves and everything else, the Argentinian fans continue to sing like crazy. Fair play to them, it's been a great atmosphere.

Offside given after a few French crosses are hooked into the box. Argentina are given a breather...

Corner for France, Messi headed out of play.

Kolo Muani tries to be Mbappe but gets tackled on the edge of the box.

Mbappe takes the ball and does his best impression of, well, himself, jinxing past two challenges. 

Coman crosses, Romero heads away. Both teams finding space in the wide areas.

Chance for Argentina!

A cross from Acuña almost finds the heads of three players, before it gets cleared.

Mbappé called offside after finding space behind Romero, who looks to have fouled the striker in the build up.

Camavinga is a lovely player, he moves like he's gliding down a bowling alley. 

A couple of attempted attacks from each side that all break down instantly. Nerves everywhere.

Now it's Argentina who can't keep the ball. De Paul plays a nervous pass forward and Upamecano gets in the way to win back possession. 

Attack from Argentina...

Cut out by Camavinga, who tackles Messi on the edge of the box. 

Mac Allister hits a bouncing ball towards Lloris but it deflects wide after hitting his teammate. 

Argentina win another free kick, wide on the right, after Thuram clashes with Montiel.

Foul on De Paul by Rabiot. It's been a great mini battle between those two.

Well, here we go again, again!

Montiel is coming on for Argentina. Molina out.

I'm shaking. What a game of football. France have grown 600 sizes and look deadlier than ever , but Argentina are still finding spaces behind their defence. 

FULL TIME!!!

​​​​​​​Extra time coming up!

Attack for Argentina! I can't take this!

The ball bounces just too high for Messi, who fails to control it. 

France launch a counter attack but the referee blows it back for a foul by Acuña. What a favour the referee did there, Mbappé was waiting to be released...

Messi fired a bullet from the central space and Lloris got a strong hand to it. Corner

LLORIS SAVE FROM MESSI

WHAT A SAVE 

​​​​​​​WHAT A SAVE 

Now Argentina attack!! Cleared away by Rabiot.

Mbappe nearly gets away!! He gives the ball to Kolo Muani who is one on one but trips over the ball

MARTINEZ SAVES!!! ARGENTINA ARE ON THE ROPES. 

​​​​​​​Great from Coman to get down the left side. Martínez did well to save the cross from going anywhere dangerous.

CHANCE FOR MBAPPÉ. SHOOTS OVER. 

Camavinga and Thuram have given this team a new energy.

Corner for France...

The cross is cleared. 

Free kick for France, 35 yards out, after a foul on Thuram.

The Argentina fans continue to sing as their team launches an attack down the left, which rolls out of play.

8 added minutes.

Into the last minute.

France attacking again...

Mbappé has 7 goals in 7 games now. 

​​​​​​​Rabiot is down holding his neck.

France with another dangerous attack but it looks like the referee got the call right. It was Thuram booked, not Camavinga. 

PENALTY SHOUT FOR FRANCE!!!!!

Thuram booked instead.

Good bye match report! Goodbye player ratings! Nobody dares do anything!

France look like the most dangerous side the world has ever seen! 

I don't know what minute it is, nor where I am anymore... but I can't take my eyes off this game. 

France attack again...

KOLO MUANI ALMOST CONNECTS WITH A HEADER

The game is broken.

France attack, then Argentina, then France again.

Unbelievable. What a turnaround. 

Argentina haven't even collapsed, but FRANCE ARE JUST NOT ABLE TO BE KILLED.

MBAPPE PLAYS A ONE TWO WITH THURAM ON THE EDGE OF THE BOX AND HE SLAMS THE VOLLEY INTO THE FAR CORNER 

​​​​​​​I HAVE NO WORDS. 

2-2!!!!!!!!!!

MBAPPE SCORES

NO WAY 

MBAPPE HAS SCORED

Madre mía, that came from nothing...

Now France are on the attack!

​​​​​​​Mbappé sends the penalty low to the left and Martínez can't stop it despite diving the right way!

​​​​​​​GAME ON!

MBAPPE SCORES THE PENALTY

A clear foul from Otamendi, who scrambled back to chase Kolo Muani...

Mbappe to take

OTAMENDI FOULED KOLO MUANI 

YELLOW CARD

OH MY! PENALTY FOR FRANCE!!!!!!

It's Argentina who are now playing France at their own game , waiting like patient alligators before snapping forward in a counter attack.

France look lost . They are absolutely shocked to the bones in this game by Argentina's intensity and confidence. Nobody had been able to match them until today, but boy, how Messi and co. have battered them to a pulp.

Tchouaméni slams into Romero. Ouch.

Camavinga is at left-back.

SAVE FROM LLORIS!

Messi squirms as Messi does before laying off Enzo, whose shot from the edge of the box is saved.

​​​​​​​The confidence Argentina are showing is radiating from their shirts.

Theo and Griezmann OFF ​​​​​​​ Coman and Camavinga ON

Mbappé has a shot! 

He skips inside the box before launching a frustrated effort above the bar.

The fourth official holds up the subs board, expecting the changes to be allowed by the referee, who waves to play on.

The referee equivalent of going to shake someone's hand who gives you a fist bump.

France are preparing more changes...

A now-or-never dice roll from Deschamps.

Kolo Muani connects, making that France's first shot of the game.

A dodgy clearance from Otamendi spins high and over his goal. Corner for France.

France with some possession at the back, trying to work it through Argentina's wall.

How does Messi do it? And by 'it', I mean everything. 

​​​​​​​ He took the long way round the defender when playing a one-two with Mac Allister, but still managed to make it before his opponent.

Ángel Di María OFF

He might have just won his country a World Cup.

Marcos 'The Egg' Acuña ON

HUGE CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!!! SAVED!!

Wow! Messi slides a pass to Julián who lays off Mac Allister, bursting through the middle.  ​​​​​​​Hugo Lloris comes to the rescue, clattering the ball away.

9 shots for Argentina, 5 on target.

0 for France.

The stadium is one huge party, right now. They haven't stopped singing all game. 

CHANCE FOR MESSI. GREAT WORK BY DI MARÍA AGAIN.

Koundé is having a horror show against Di María. ​​​​​​​ The winger hit a cross from the left, Messi connected but his shot went wide.

Chance for Álvarez!

Messi slipped a pass through the French defence and boy wonder  Julián took a big touch to the left before firing a low shot that hit the side netting. 

A frustrated Mbappé fouls pantomime villain, De Paul. 

Kolo Muani with nice footwork on the right side. 

Tackled instantly after. 

De Paul, now back on his feet, is having a word with the offender, Rabiot. I bet he's not saying very nice things. 

Rabiot booked for a scissor challenge on De Paul . An orange card for me, that one.

De Paul is still on the ground. 

BIG MISTAKE FROM EMI MARTINEZ!

France almost have a chance to score from the halfway line after a bad clearance from Dibu, but since nothing is going well for France , they mess up the chance.

Messi takes his time before whipping a corner to the front post , again . I think I've found something he can't do!

That is a joke.

Corner for Argentina, won by De Paul.

Cleared. Argentina counter.

Theo accidentally lets the ball run out and it's a throw for la Albiceleste  ​​​​​​​near the corner flag.

A 'chance' (it wasn't really) for France, but it was the best they've had. Mbappé on the right side wins a corner, but it was excellently defended.

A quick break down the left gets switched to the other side:  De Paul leaps acrobatically, but his shot is saved.

CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!

DE PAUL VOLLEY - SAVED!

The Argentina press is shattering the game for France, they can't build up at all...

Dibu Martínez grabs onto the ball and holds onto it. I'm not sure he knows what it looks like, he's seen it so little since the game started.

Mac Allister goes close!!!

Lloris got out well to catch the ball that was chipped through a gap in the defence; the Brighton man was through on his own.

And Argentina attack immediately...

Here we go again! Messi kicks us off for the second half. 

Argentina      2-0     ​​​​​​​France

The players are back out on the pitch!

The last time a World Cup final was 2-0 at half time was France vs Brazil in 1998;  Les Bleus went on to win 3-0.

It is going to take a lot for France to get back into today's final, Argentina have them beat in every area of the pitch.

Iker Casillas is on the pitch, showing everyone the World Cup trophy. It's incredibly shiny.

Sofascore's HT ratings:

I'm going to furiously email and ask why Di María hasn't got an 11 out of 10 for that performance.

Need I say anything?

He had a fantastic half, and even got involved in the defending!

Argentina      2-0      ​​​​​​​ France

What a performance from Argentina!

That was brilliant from the South American side, and Di María in particular.  ​​​​​​​They absolutely bossed France, who haven't had a sniff at goal. Mbappé has been silenced, as has Griezmann and nothing says desperate from Deschamps like those two early substitutions to mix things up. 

Let's see how they get on in the second half, but if it is anything like the first, where Argentina have dominated in possession, territory and threat, then France could be in for an even worse evening.  

How do you say debacle in French?

Close! Nobody arrives but it looked like it was whipped in dangerously.

Free kick for Griezmann to cross in...

Enzo booked for being a pest.

Last minute of the half.

France try to break away with Kolo Muani, but he's fouled.

I haven't said much about the added time but it's because Argentina just keep kicking the ball out for throw ins. 

Deschamps has got a very angry face on right now. 

Thuram shows his teammates that if you run with the ball, it goes closer to goal. Some of his friends then try it, but they run into the defenders instead of around them.

France have not had a single chance all half.  Super impressive from Argentina in all areas.

Thuram, by virtue of being a busy body, manages to find some space down the left. His cross is blocked.

7 minutes added.

Messi absolutely fires himself back to defend as France get a few yards closer to goal, tackling Kolo Muani . Could be the biggest cheer of the night, that.

We're into the last minute of the half, and France have had their longest sequence of possession so far , about 90 seconds.

Di María, again with space on the righ t , works it well but Koundé sees it out for a goal kick. 

Wow, that is bold from Deschamps, who is obviously not happy. 

That's the most obvious thing I've ever said in my life.

SUBS FOR FRANCE!

Dembélé and Giroud OFF!

Kolo Muani and Thuram on. 

Koundé fouls Di María, who has been utterly superb all half. 

5 to go until half time. 

Argentina have bossed this game. They've seen France want to give them the initiative, well they've taken it and have shoved it down their throats!

France look shellshocked! This atmosphere is like the most daunting away game on the planet!

If the Lusail Stadium bounces any more, it will end up in the Gulf!

A PERFECT COUNTER ATTACK

Messi flicks to Julián, who plays it to Mac Allister. The Brighton midfielder burns down the right channel on his own before laying off a perfect pass to Ángel Di María who scores his first goal of the World Cup

 ÁNGEL DI MARÍAAAAAAAAAAAAA PUTS ARGENTINA 2-0 UP IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL ARGENTINA ARGENTINA ARGENTINA 

5 shots for the South Americans so far, 2 on target. Nil poi for France.

France just haven't got going so far. Argentina seem to have them at arm's length. 

We know what that means.

Messi goes on that run inside from the right, scaring every soul in France except Upamecano, who challenges well.

Uff, lovely from De Paul , who looks as though he is about to give up possession but instead flicks it to Messi, completing a lovely one-two. Argentina turning on the style against France's press.

The ball is opened to Di María, but his cross is too high for Julián Álvarez, who is not 8 metres tall, and it flies out of play.

The Argentinian  muchachos song rings around the ground. Now that's a tune, never mind the official anthem.

He's back on and immediately forces a corner. Quite good, isn't he.

He's back on now. All good. 

Messi has come off as it was a head injury. 

Messi is holding his face after that . Seems to have taken a knock. For now, he looks OK. 

Cleared away. Messi fouled in the process and the referee has blown for a free kick to Argentina. Theo clashed with him as they challenged for the ball.

Free kick for France, 40 yards out. Griezmann to cross in from the right.

Di María , despite the doubts that surrounded his inclusion, has been the difference-maker so far. He wormed past his marker then like, well, Messi.

The stadium is rocking on all four sides. What a fantastic atmosphere.

Back underway.

Argentina 1-0 France 

Di María made a great run from the left side into the box and Dembélé tripped him from behind. The referee didn't hesitate to blow his whistle. 

Argentina have started the better side and now it's up to France to get themselves back into the game. 

HE SENDS LLORIS THE WRONG WAY, PUTTING THE BALL TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER.

THE STADIUM HAS JUST ERUPTED

MESSI PUTS ARGENTINA AHEAD IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!!!!!!!!

Penalty confirmed, Messi to take... 

DEMBELE FOULED DI MARIA

PENALTY TO ARGENTINA!!!!!

How does Messi take so many steps in such little time? It's like watching a millipede run.

GIROUD JUST OVER THE BAR!!!

​​​​​​​I swear these French players read this feed and decide to attack just as I say they're being quiet. 

There you go, again! Theo bursts down the left wing and De Paul brings him down in a dangerous area out wide. Free kick.

France, apart from that half-half-chance from Mbappé , which wasn't even that, have had pretty much nothing to show for so far. 

But we know what that means. Watch out for them.

​​​​​​​Messi finds De Paul down the right who puts the ball back across goal. Di María arrives inside the box but he hits it with his right foot and the ball flies over the bar.

Over 50% of possession for Argentina, who are passing it around the back, looking for gaps in the French block. 

Messi almost slips in Di María!

Ah, offside. Good work nevertheless from Koundé to spot the pass. 

There we go. France spring into action as Mbappé links up with Rabiot on the edge of the box. Argentina defended well.

So far,  Argentina have had the better possession , but those pesky French rattlesnakes know where to hide before they pounce. 

A lovely ball from Messi out wide to Di María causes some trouble for the France defence, but Tchouaméni covers well.

We're back underway. 

Lloris is sat on the pitch, taking a minute to get his breath back. Signals he's OK to continue. 

Lloris is down after being shoved by Romero in the corner mosh pit. 

The corner is poor from Messi . It falls to De Paul who whips a cross in, but the mess of bodies in the box causes the referee to blow his whistle. 

CHANCE FOR DE PAUL!! CORNER!

​​​​​​​He had the ball on the edge of the box and struck a shot that deflected wide.

Di María breaks away down the left but Dembélé tracks back well

France have had a few passes from the back intercepted by the Argentinian midfielders in the opening minutes . Scaloni's team are pressing well.

It's a nervous start from everyone, with lots of frantic pressing from both sides.

Messi penalised for a foul on Theo.

Mac Allister finds space on the edge of the box and hits a shot. Lloris saves easily.

Di María has started on the left and is up against Koundé. He looks very lively. 

Messi fouled by Upamecano after they both jumped for a header. 

FIRST CHANCE OF THE GAME FOR ARGENTINA!!

​​​​​​​De Paul chips over for Álvarez but he misses the ball. Offside.

Ooohh! Dibu Martínez takes a while to kick the ball away and Griezmann nearly caught him out!

First foul of thr game from De Paul on Rabiot.

France are pressing very high up the pitch in a 4-3-3 as Argentina play around at the back.

Tchouameni immediately fires a long ball towards the left corner and it's a throw for Argentina.

The World Cup final has begun!

Griezmann kicks us off from right to left.

Here are the lineups:

France XI: Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T.Hernandez; Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; O.Dembélé, Mbappé, Giroud.

Argentina XI: Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Di María, De Paul, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez.

We are ready to go!

Argentina in their home shirt, white shorts and white socks; France in dark blue from head to toe.

Here they come! The two squads are lined up, waiting for the national anthems.

Argentina first, and it is absolutely belted out by the majority of the stadium. And Messi, who screamed it.

Now for France, a very happy tune as well. Well sung by all, albeit a bit quieter than the 40,000 Argentina fans, as you might expect.

The players are in the tunnel. Serious faces all round.

The World Cup final is about to begin!

        ​​​​​​​

The pre-match light show is underway!

Yes, the huge World Cup is there, don't worry.

One for the France fans...

Here's a great stat to give you pre-match confidence ahead of the game!

French president Macron in the house

French president Emmanuel Macron ready for the final against Argentina , with his wife Brigette alongside him. 

Team warm ups are over!

Both sides have retreated to the dressing rooms and are now having their final team talks - we've only got 15 minutes to go!

Argentina vs France 2022 World Cup final odds and predictions: Who is the favourite?

I just got all nervous when I looked at the clock - there is less than half an hour to go! ​​​​​​​

So, who is the most likely team to win? Check out the odds. Oh, and an attempt at a prediction. 

Yes, I know I like to speak about Griezmann a lot

He has been the player of the tournament for some (me) and once you look at the range in those statistics, where he contributes so heavily both in attack and defence, you can see why!

Here's official confirmation of the Argentina lineup:

Just as the squad takes their first steps on the pitch... the noise in the Lusail Stadium just jumped up to crazy levels! 40,000 screams of joy!

France are out for the warmup!

Both squads have started to get ready for the game, but there are still plenty of seats to be filled. Apparently there are problems with the metro for fans arriving at the stadium. 

France were loudly booed as they came out of the tunnel - the majority of fans inside the stadium are Argentina shirt wearers.

Acuña is not in the starting XI for Argentina due to injury. 

I *think* it's finished. I can only hear the Argentina fans now, who seem to have enjoyed that greatly. 

I'm finding it quite hard to keep up with which pop singer is on now, but there's someone spinning round in circles wearing a huge body warmer, who I believe is Davido . 

During the chorus of the song, I've realised that it's what I've been humming away to all month without noticing. There you go.

The exercise balls actually have little drone arms on them, and the Argentina and France balls have now flown away . I'd like to see Messi try to score with one of those.

Here comes the 'Official World Cup song', with *checks notes* Davido, Aisha, Ozuna and Gims.

Now there are lots of people on the pitch with huge exercise balls of all the flags of the World Cup, forming a circle, spinning round. 

The closing ceremony is underway!

We've got a singer doing a nice version of What a Wonderful World. It sounds good, they should get her on the national anthems later.

Now there are some flying whales, seriously. 

world cup 2022

The reason why the final of the World Cup in Qatar 2022 is played on December 18

Today is a special day in Qatar for two reasons, one of them the World Cup final (of course), but do you know the other?

One hour to go!

The team news is in, both squads are in the stadium that is filling up as we speak (I'd say it's about halfway to being full)... the countdown is well and truly on!

Sofascore says...

They have Argentina down in a 4-4-2 shape , which would put Álvarez up with Messi and Di María further back. He will have a tough job on his hands today with Molina to keep Mbappé quiet!

Here is the official confirmation of the France XI:

Theo , Varane , Rabiot , Upamecano and Tchouaméni have all overcome their problems and have been deemed fit to play. 

France XI confirmed!

Koundé - Varane - Upamecano - Theo

Tchouaméni - Rabiot - Griezmann 

Dembélé - Mbappé - Giroud

The France squad have arrived at the stadium

Les Bleus may already be at the stadium, but the  Argentinian fans are the ones making all the noise!

The Argentina team is in!

Martínez

Molina - Romero - Otamendi - Tagliafico

Mac Allister - Enzo - De Paul

Di María - Messi - Álvarez

The last time they met...

Will we have another game like this one? 

France, with an incredibly young-looking Kylian Mbappé , came out on top of a crazy match in 2018. Both Messi and Kylian himself had a huge part to play in the goals. 

Of course, Argentina were eliminated here, and France went on to win the trophy with their star-studded squad. 

The French dressing room is ready...

The countdown is well and truly on! Just over 90 minutes to go!

Diego Maradona 1986 / CARLO FUMAGALLI / AP

Diego Maradona in Mexico...

Can Messi cement himself into history even further with an iconic photo like this one?

The 1986 World Cup final at the Estadio Azteca  was the culmination of one of the greatest individual sporting performances ever seen: Maradona in Mexico has gone down as one of the most important periods of football history. It was a time in which Diego carried the team to the final, putting in match-winning moments of genius time after time, dancing round defences and scoring impossible goals in games of extremely high pressure and an entire nation's dreams  riding along with him. Remind you of anyone?

Argentina possible starting lineup for the World Cup final vs France

Since we don't know yet, here's how Argentina could line up , given the injuries and suspensions within Scaloni's squad .

The manager has a choice to make on how he will start the game, as we have seen various versions of his team so far at the World Cup . Against the Netherlands     , Scaloni went with a back 5 to neutralise Dumfries, which worked well. Against Croatia      , he flooded the midfield and played Paredes in a 4-4-2. 

​​​​​​​What will we see today? How will he try to stop France's fantastic four?

We've got some early team news...

It looks as though the Camel Flu that has flown throughout the squad has, well, flapped its wings and gone off to the horizon. That's a pretty much full-strength XI for France , if L'Équipe  have got it right. 

Why do some teams have stars on their jerseys? What do they represent?

There is a lot of talk about the two teams having two stars on their shirt and that at the end of the day one of them will have three, but what do they mean and where do they come from? 

Just two hours to go!

OK, plus a couple of minutes. 

If you've just joined us, welcome to the AS live feed of the World Cup final between Argentina      and     ​​​​​​​France!

It's Joe here and I'll be providing all the details of the game!

Valdano: “We’re seeing a Messi with greater influence - not just in terms of football”

Jorge Valdano won the World Cup with Argentina - and Maradona - in 1986 , scoring the second goal in a crazy 3-2 win over West Germany.

He analysed Sunday’s final and the battle between Messi and Mbappé.

When it's all over, we're going to play a game

I'm not wishing away the game, far form it, I'm just giving you a warning!

My team of the tournament is coming up after the game's finished, with ​​​​one player from each nation  maximum - but I want to see yours! 

Get in touch @English_AS or @j4brennan on Twitter . 

We were always going to do it at some point, right?

Here are the two kings, the figureheads of each team, one the present, the other the future. 

Messi vs Mbappé in the World Cup final , both with the chance to make history in different ways is something you might try to achieve on a video game with heavy levels of in-game manipulation and control over both controllers. But it's real, it's genuinely happening today and when you stop to look at the numbers, it becomes incredibly obvious as to why it has occurred. 

Messi currently leads Mbappé in overall rating, and in terms of the eye test, the Argentinian looks in a hotter streak of form than his PSG teammate, coming into the final on the back of match-winning performances in multiple knockout rounds of the competition. 

Mbappé has somewhat stalled in the latter stages of the competition after a whirlwind start to his World Cup campaign. Yes, he set up Kolo Muani's tap in against Morocco for the majority of the game he was reasonably quiet and the same goes against England, where he was kept tame by Southgate's system. 

The biggest difference in the statistics shown in the graphic is key passes, with Messi averaging a mind-bogglingly high 3 per game; Kylian is just under 2. This owes to the Argentinian's importance in how he functions within the system: Scaloni's team plays to Messi and for Messi.  ​​​​​​​Specific players within the system (I'm looking at you, Rodrigo De Paul) change their role minute by minute to suit whatever it is Messi need s , whether it be to cover him, manipulate space, create doubt in the opposition player's mind by giving them another player to mark, or simply move away from Messi to give him a chance to play his own game , the chameleonic Argentinian system will warp around their star player to facilitate him.

JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS

Player to watch: Julián Álvarez

OK, so the answer is Messi , but let's take a look at Julián Álvarez for something different.

The Manchester City striker, were it not for Messi and his penalties, would be Argentina's top scorer. And he wasn't even supposed to start . Lautaro Martínez was Messi's partner in the first game of the tournament against Saudi Arabia, but is now out of favour in Scaloni's plans. 

Álvarez has stepped in wonderfully, getting on the end of assists and having the underrated quality of being in the right place at the right time. His goals against Croatia were the perfect examples of just what he does best : for the first one he did his best Messi impression, glueing the ball to his boot and running wildly down the pitch; the second one was a cool finish after finding enough space in the box for Messi to play the ball to him. 

Not a bad comparison!

Maybe a wake up call was the best thing that could have happened to Argentina, as nobody on the team would have wanted angry Messi to come out so early... they'd have wanted to save that guy for the final!

France's injury list: a blessing in disguise?

France      ​​​​​​​ came into the tournament with an injury list as daunting as an ancient scroll: 

Kanté

And then Benzema got injured on the eve of the tournament, just before  Lucas Hernández tore his knee ligament .

These absences forced Deschamps to change things up, putting in Giroud up top and switching out Lucas for his brother, Theo. The two 'substitutes' have arguably been, along with Mbappé and my boy Griezmann, France's best players during the competition.

Without these players missing, France would not have used Giroud and Griezmann in the way we have seen them and would perhaps not have performed to the same brilliant level. I know, in an imaginary world of impossible-to-prove alternate universes, they could have won every game 6-0 - but they haven't. Instead, they've been brilliant without shining , using an alternative plan, and they've made it all the way to the final. 

Hugo Lloris on the verge of making history

France's goalkeeper and captain H ugo Lloris could make history today were he to lift the World Cup at the end of the game. 

If so, he would become the first captain to win the World Cup trophy in two consecutive editions. 

Only two teams have won consecutive World Cups: Brazil ( 1958 & 1962) and Italy (1934 & 1938). However, on both occasions the winning captains were different, meaning that Lloris would become the first.

Added to that, he has already become the player with the most appearances ever for France, with 143 games.  He is also the goalkeeper with the most World Cup appearances (19) , along with Germany's     ​​​​​​​Manuel Neuer. He will break that record today (if he starts).

‘Papu’ Gómez MLS bound in 2023?

And while we're on the topic of MLS : might Papu Gómez be the next Argentinian to move stateside ?

Can Thiago Almada get on the field in the World Cup final?

And the answer is...

Thiago Almada of Atlanta United!

​​​​​​​Did you get it?

Pub quiz question #2!

Which current MLS player could get on the pitch at the World Cup final?

(hint: he plays for Argentina      ​​​​​​​)

Messi vs Maradona: the battle for the crown of best ever

Today is, for many people, rightly or wrongly , a chance for Messi to cement himself as the greatest player of all time . Some would say that he's already there, that team trophies - and especially national team ones - shouldn't be counted, as it does not entirely come down to the player but the squad and the moment in which they find themselves. 

But for others, to see Messi with the World Cup trophy in his hands , one that has evaded him in the cruellest way possible, one that looked impossible to achieve, would be the crowning moment for his status as the best ever. 

It would certainly put him on the same level as Diego Maradona , the player who a lot of people, and Argentinians in particular, saw holds the accolade. He certainly does in term of symbolism, with that famous 1986 win being the image that is plastered across bedroom walls, social media and, most importantly, in the minds of everyone who loves football. Today Messi could have his own. 

Here's a delightful graphic from Sofascore that I've pulled out of my bag of tricks which compares the two Argentinian geniuses. 

Didier Deschamps said "it helps" to play multiple finals. But which of his players was he talking about? 

Here are two pieces about the survivors of each team from their last time in a World Cup final. 

Which France players that played in the 2018 World Cup final will also be in the 2022 final?

How many players from Argentina’s current squad played in the 2014 World Cup final?

Didier Deschamps pre-match comments:

The context of a final is always special. There is an emotional side that can be different for every player.  When it's the first final for a player, there are less references and data. Playing in lots of finals helps. The emotional management is important.  In 2018 there were 7 players that are here today. It's not actually the same team as before. I'm not going to compare them, it makes no sense.  Argentina can do different things, but so can we.  Kylian needs calmness, serenity. He's in a great frame of mind.  Didier Deschamps , France manager

Lionel Scaloni pre-match comments:

I am proud and very motivated for the moment we are in. They're very beautiful times to enjoy.  The group is in their best moment yet, at the door of the final. I have the starting XI already decided. Our way of playing goes further than the system and the players that we choose will be the ones we think will do France the most damage.  France isn't just Mbappé. It's a team of players that make him better. The final is Argentina against France, it's more than Messi against Mbappé. There are other players who can decide the game, not just those two.  Lionel Scaloni , Argentina manager

5 goals - Lionel Messi 

5 goals - Kylian Mbappé

4 goals - Julián Álvarez

4 goals - Olivier Giroud

Did you get them all? Of course you did, well done. 

Who is the referee for Argentina vs France World Cup 2022 final?

Before I reveal the answer to the greatest pub quiz question of all time, here's everything you need to know about  Szymon Marciniak , today's referee.

Let's have a pub quiz...

I'll be quiz master. We will start off with an easy one:

Who are the current 4 top scorers of the World Cup?

(hint: they could all play today)

Did you know? A curious kit coincidence...

Argentina will be in their famous blue and white striped home shirt for the game today. The French will also be sporting their traditional colour of deep blue, which is nice for all of us who love football shirts and lovely colours. 

The last time Argentina wore their home shirt in a World Cup final was 1986, which they won . The other two times they reached the final, in 1990 and 2014, they wore their away shirt. They lost both of those games. 

Will this curious kit coincidence continue?

We need to talk about Grizi / PETER CZIBORRA / REUTERS

We need to talk about Grizi

​​​​​​​I'm going to spoil the fun now before I've even decided on the rest of my awards: Antoine Griezmann is my player of the tournament. 

​​​​​​​The Atlético Madrid [insert position here] has become the everything-man within Didier Deschamps' team, and  the tactical surprise of the World Cup was only put there to fill the tremendous gap left by the three million injuries that France suffered prior to the competition.

It's amazing, Grizi has contributed in both attack and defence like never before: he has the most assists and has the most chances created at Qatar 2022,  all while being the defensive scampering dog that helps out with ball recovery. 

Against Morocco, he performed 101 pressures (according to Opta) - the most by any French player during a World Cup 2022 game! 

Griezmann is key to unlocking defences for France, as he slips past players as they get all shaky about Mbappé and Theo Hernández down the left side. Keep an eye on the boy.

Isn't this lovely!

The cool people at Sofascore have prepared this very snazzy graphic so we can hold hands and walk down memory lane, remembering all the fun we had along the journey to the World Cup final.

You like it? There's more to come. Trust me. I've got loads. 

Didier Deschamps says Mbappé needs “calmness” before World Cup Final

Here is everything Didier Deschamps had to say in the build up to the game, including whether or not Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema is set to return to the squad for the final.

FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Team news: Argentina

Suspended pair Marcos Acuña (also known as 'the egg')  and Gonzalo Montiel served their suspensions in the Croatia victory and will be ready to return to the side, should Scaloni choose to do so.

Ángel Di María is as fit as he is can be and will most likely feature at some point, even if he doesn't start. My inkling is that Scaloni will choose a midfield four of Mac Allister, Enzo, De Paul and Paredes , but there could be some surprises.

Papu Gómez is a doubt for the game and may not be fit to play, but we're not sure. ​​​​​​​

Leo Messi seems to be fit , despite holding him hamstring and giving us all a fright against Croatia.

  ​​​​​​​     ​​​​​​​

Friedemann Vogel / EFE

Team news: France

" With regards to the virus from yesterday, the players are still sleeping so I can’t tell you ", said Deschamps in his pre-match press conference, when asked about the fitness of Coman, Upamecano, Varane and Konaté, who all appear to be suffering from the Camel Virus that has affected the French squad. Rabiot has also been affected by the virus and missed the Morocco game, but should be well enough to play.

As such, they are all doubts for the game. 

In terms of injuries, Theo Hernández and Aurelién Tchouaméni missed training in the week and were doubtful for the match, but they should be OK to play.

The newest and worrying-est news is that Olivier Giroud is a doubt for the final with a slight knee injury . Missing one of the fantastic four would be a huge blow for France and Mbappé in particular, who uses Giroud's amazing powers of attraction to his benefit, taking advantage of the space left behind.   ​​​​​​​

Argentina: the story so far

Do you remember that Saudi Arabia game? It feels so long ago but the feeling of my eyes dropping down and falling out of my mouth in shock is still there. 

After the game, Messi was asked for his thoughts:

"The truth? Dead. It’s a very hard blow because we did not expect to start in this way .’ We expected to get the three points that would have given us calmness. Things happen for a reason. We have to prepare for what is coming, we have to win, and it depends on us."

And when the boss speaks like that, you listen. Argentina went out and beat both Mexico and Poland 2-0 to top the group, with the Newells Old Boys graduate the start of the show. 

They put away Australia in slightly less convincing fashion than France had done before going all the way to penalties with the Netherlands : you remember that Wout Weghorst goal , right? 

Croatia came next, last time's runners-up, in a match that had all the makings of a tough affair for Scaloni's team . But they pierced through them with a bit of Messi sprinkled throughout, who rotated (defender of the tournament) Gvardiol's soul in his ribcage before laying the ball off to Julián Álvarez to make it 3-0.

France: the story so far

Les Bleus     ​​​​​​​, as mentioned, have made it this far by being brilliant in moments, like fireworks, if that's your thing. 

Their first result of the tournament, a 4-1 win over Australia, led us all to believe that they would be a fluid attacking unit that relentlessly went about like a giant dinosaur, scything teams to shreds . But no. They're something much scarier than that. 

Much scarier than a dinosaur? Yes. Against Denmark they slept under the water and waited for the dark horses to come and have a drink at the lake, getting too close before they jumped out and grabbed them, dragging them in. They beat the Danes 2-1 with a Kylian Mbappé double. With qualification already confirmed, they lost the final game 1-0 against Tunisia having fielded a heavily changed side.

A 3-1 win over the most lacklustre Poland side ever in the Round of 16 was a routine performance, before they squeezed past England using all of their best tricks, namely that attacking front 4. Griezmann teed up Giroud for a header late on but it was   a Harry Kane penalty that went into orbi t that meant Deschamps side carried on in the tournament. 

Then came the surprise of the tournament, Morocco , and we saw the real France. With an early goal in their pocket they sat back, allowing the Atlas Lions all the rule of the pitch, before a late Kolo Muani tap in crushed the dreams of everyone's new favourite country. 

And now they're here, in the final. Waiting to crush Argentinian dreams.

World Cup Final preview: ​​​​​​

This is, as you might expect, quite a tough one to call. France     ​​​​​​​ have worked their way through the World Cup being quite unspectacular in a very spectacular way . They don’t dominate the ball, using a Pep Guardiola style 2-3-5 to attack like interchanging butterflies twisting in formation. Instead, they wait. Like sleeping lions. 18 hours a day of rest, if needs be. They allow you to control the ball, mark your territory, maintain the tempo you want, how kind of them. Then they snap. 

And when that crazy front 4 get going, nobody has the antidote. Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé will tear you apart just as you get comfortable in your chair, and you can’t do anything about it. Against Morocco the story was just like that. The reigning champions sat back, relaxed, with a lovely cup of tea, and decided to strike when Mbappé hopped, skipped and squirmed through 15 defenders before his deflected shot was tapped in to make it 2-0. 

Against the French, you don’t get to choose how you play. It’s like building a house of cards with a petulant child, it doesn’t matter how long you spend lining them up, one on top of the other, if the kid wants to blow it down, they will.

Argentina     ​​​​​​, though, have a magic key. Like a fantasy film, they always use the get-out-of-jail superpower that just so happens to perfectly suit what they need to do. La Albiceleste have that in a player who is really good at football. It’s like they brought him on purpose. I don’t even need to name him.

Yes, Messi can decide the came in a moment of genius , which is what might well happen, and Scaloni will know that. But he will also be aware that France too love to do exactly the same thing with their PSG forward, so his team might reflect some feelings of precaution. It could probably come in the shape of a midfield 4, with Paredes dropping in instead of Ángel Di María, who will feature at some point, just maybe not from the start.

Here’s a couple of in-depth tactical breakdowns of the two teams:

Three possible Argentina lineups for World Cup final against France

France’s possible tactics for the final against Argentina

Today's coverage is going to be humungous . We'll have everything from stats to predictions to lovely pictures of footballers, and more.

Thanks again for joining and thank the clouds Morocco didn't make it because otherwise I'd be on the Bono pun train all day long. We'd (I'd) be digging around in B-sides and unpublished newsletters for anything, so at least we don't have that. 

My, oh my, welcome to the World Cup final coverage from AS . It’s Joe here today and I’ll be guiding you through all the laughter, tears and most importantly, the football, of the day. 

How do I say this in a non-screaming yet very loud and excited way?

It’s the World Cup final!

Yes, Argentina     vs     ​​​​​​​France  go up against each other for the third golden star, the golden trophy and lots of gold confetti in game 64 of 64 of this, the strangest tournament we’ve ever seen, Qatar 2022. But what a final we have.

Watch: Lionel Messi, Argentina lift World Cup trophy

Finally, at the fifth time of trying, Lionel Messi has got his hands on the World Cup.

In what is likely his final global tournament, Messi, who scored twice in a thrilling victory on penalties over France, hoisted the trophy in Qatar.

It was Argentina's third World Cup triumph, but the third for the man seen as one of football's greatest.

More on this topic

Argentina win World Cup after beating France on penalties

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Earlier, Messi was named the best player of the World Cup.

Smiling, the Argentina great received the Golden Ball award in a post-match ceremony. Kylian Mbappe received the Golden Boot award as the top scorer in the tournament with eight goals, including three in the final. Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 21, was named the best young player of the tournament.

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FOX cuts away from World Cup trophy presentation for Cowboys-Jaguars game

FOX Sports has cut away from Argentina ’s World Cup final trophy presentation due to a clash with the NFL broadcast schedule.

The World Cup final, which is being held at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, had to be settled on penalties after ending 3-3 after extra-time .

With the match heading towards a penalty shootout, it meant coverage clashed with Fox Sports’ live coverage of the Jacksonville Jaguars versus the Dallas Cowboys.

Fox Sports released a statement on Sunday, which read: “In the event the FIFA World Cup trophy ceremony happens near or after 1PM ET, live coverage of the trophy celebration will shift to FS1 as the NFL kicks off on FOX.”

How much prize money is on offer at the 2022 World Cup?

The move may come of something as a surprise to international viewers, as the 2022 World Cup has been a successful broadcasting event for Fox, with the United States vs England group-stage game drawing 15.8 million viewers.

FIFA are yet to announce global viewing figures for the knockout stages of the tournament, however, the final is anticipated to exceed the 1.12bn that viewed the 2018 World Cup final when France beat Croatia .

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In a pulsating final, Argentina took the lead in the final when Lionel Messi converted a penalty before Angel Di Maria finished off a slick passing move to double the South American nation’s lead in a dominant first-half display.

France did not manage their first shot on goal until the 68th minute, however, soon had a penalty awarded which Mbappe tucked away to give his side a lifeline. Moments later, they had levelled the scoreline after a sublime Mbappe volley.

Messi, however, scored once again late into extra-time but Mbappe clawed his side back into it in the dying embers of the match to send the tie into a penalty shootout. Argentia emerged victorious from the shootout to achieve their third World Cup triumph — and the nation’s first since 1990.

Lionel Messi’s World Cup final goal sets new tournament record

(Photo: Getty Images)

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More Than 2,000 Hours of Unprecedented Coverage and Most Digital World Cup Ever Across Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, TelemundoDeportes.com and Telemundo Deportes’ app

• Opening Ceremony: Telemundo and Peacock to Present Opening Ceremony Coverage Live Starting at 9 a.m. ET in Spanish
• Broadcast & Cable Network: Live Coverage of All 64 Matches in Spanish with 56 Matches on Telemundo and 8 on Universo
• Streaming: Peacock to Livestream All 64 World Cup Matches in Spanish – Only Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service with Live Coverage of Every Match – First 12 Matches Free and 52 Remaining Games Available to Premium Subscribers (beginning on Nov. 24)
• Additional Streaming: com and Telemundo Deportes App to Live Stream All Coverage via Authentication

MIAMI, Fla. – Nov. 17, 2022 – Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language home of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, will present comprehensive live coverage and unprecedented multiplatform offerings of the biggest soccer event in the world, beginning Sunday, Nov. 20.

More than 2,000 hours of coverage, including all 64 matches live in Spanish with in-venue commentary team calling all matches from the stadium, will be available across Telemundo , Universo , Peacock , TelemundoDeportes.com and Telemundo Deportes’ app .

Complete schedule and announce team below. For additional information, news and press materials, and assets click here .

LIVE MATCHES

• The schedule includes 56 matches on Telemundo and eight matches on Universo due to simultaneous kickoffs. Peacock will livestream all 64 FIFA World Cup™ matches.
• Live coverage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will kick off Sunday, Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. ET with coverage of the Opening Ceremony leading into the opening match between host-country Qatar and Ecuador at 11 a.m. ET on Telemundo and Peacock.
• Top 10 marquee matches during the first week of group stage include the following (Coverage Begins One Hour Prior to Kickoff):
• Hoy en la Copa : The live 30-minute daily preview and recap program, World Cup Today , is the network’s landmark FIFA World Cup show setting up the most important and exciting storylines of the event and around each match.
• Viva el Mundial : Taking over the network’s morning show, Viva el Mundial will transform hoy Día offering daily content around the World Cup and beyond the matches capturing the atmosphere in Qatar, the rich culture of the country and the fan experience onsite complemented by in-studio celebrations, including a World Cup Concert Stage featuring celebrities like Manuel Turizo, Chiquis Rivera, Pablo Montero and Ana Barbara.
• Debate Mundial : World Cup Debate is the network’s daily hourlong signature discussion and analysis program presented live from Qatar after the last match of the day, featuring entertaining and provocative discussions from a mix of diverse experts and personalities.
• Al Rojo Vivo : Co-host Jessica Carrillo will host Telemundo’s acclaimed news magazine starting November 21 from Qatar. To provide ongoing coverage throughout the tournament and across stadiums, Jorge Miramontes will be onsite through the World Cup final.
• Zona Mixta: Edición Mundial : The leading late-night weekend sports entertainment show will present an extended one-hour special edition show during the FIFA World Cup 2022™ featuring its signature irreverent tone and style, and a different perspective.
• Peacock will be the only direct-to-consumer streaming service in the United States to stream live coverage of all 64 matches.
• The first 12 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2022™ will be available to Peacock subscribers on the free tier, while the remaining 52 games (beginning on Nov. 24) will be available to Peacock Premium subscribers.
• In addition to live match coverage, Peacock’s World Cup Hub will surround the FIFA World Cup 2022™ with daily shows featuring highlights and analysis, on-demand full-match replays, and programming such as documentaries.
• Terraza al Mundial: Exclusive pregame show offering a comprehensive preview of all 64 games, capturing all the excitement and action ahead of each match every day.
• La Tribuna del Mundial: Interactive debate show providing analysis of all the matches, plays and goals with complete reviews of all the critical moments of the day.
• Resúmenes: Los Partidos de Hoy: Extended highlights of each and every match, providing a daily summary of all the action.
• Ecos del Dia: Postgame program which will recap each match with expert reactions, in-depth analysis and compelling interviews.
• ¡Aquí Está el Mundial!: Daily compilation of all player and coach interviews and press conferences, match highlights, stats and top moments of the day.
• Lo Que Viene: Daily program which wraps up Peacock’s matchday coverage and looks ahead to preview the following day’s matches.

AUTHENTICATED STREAMING

• All of Telemundo Deportes’ coverage, including every match, will stream live on TelemundoDeportes.com and Telemundo Deportes’ app, via authentication, across desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs for authenticated users.
• TelemundoDeportes.com will offer full match replays.
• YouTube will offer Spanish-language real-time video highlights available via the Google search engine, including pre-game, in-game, and post-game clips featuring best of, match highlights and major moments in the match, as well as game previews, winning probabilities, line-ups and news.
• Twitter will feature daily live content, original programming on Twitter live from the host city, live look-in to Peacock’s coverage and video highlights throughout each competition day.
• Facebook and Instagram will provide match highlights, social-first content live from Qatar featuring live content from the stadiums, exclusive coverage of trainings, team arrivals, warmups and press conferences.
• TikTok will immerse soccer and casual soccer fans into the event by offering an exclusive livestream from Qatar featuring fans, daily match highlights, as well as unique fan stories and behind the scenes content during the entire event.
• Interactive Bracket for the World Cup™ and Fantasy Content will give fans the opportunity to compete on TelemundoDeportes.com available on both desktop and mobile interfaces and allows users to participate in multiple game modes, whether it be playing against soccer fans or creating their own private league for family and friends.
• NBC Sports Predictor powered by PointsBet app (available in the App Store and Google Play Store) and at NBCSports.com/Predictor will launch free-to-play games consisting of contests that cover a range of predictions from head-to-head positional statistical matchups to the game result, and more.

ENCORE PRESENTATIONS

• Universo will carry encore presentations of every game beginning at 5 p.m. ET each day through the Quarterfinals, and later shift to a 7 p.m. ET start for the Semifinals through the Third-Place match.
• On Sunday, Dec. 18, the encore presentation for the Final will begin at 2 p.m. ET on Telemundo and 4:30 p.m. ET on Universo.
• Peacock and TelemundoDeportes.com will both feature on-demand full-match replays throughout the tournament.
• For all USA group stage matches, Cantor and Sol will be joined by former USMNT midfielder and National Soccer Hall of Famer Tab Ramos
• Network play-by-play veteran Copán Álvarez and two-time Emmy award nominee Sammy Sadovnik will be paired throughout the event with experienced sports analyst Eduardo Biscayart.
• Play-by-play announcer Jorge Calvo will be joined by a rotation of experts.
• Pre- and post-game analysis from the main presentation studio located at the center of the cultural Souq Waqif Marketplace will feature Cantor , Emmy Award-winning sports journalist Miguel Gurwitz , Telemundo’s Emmy-nominated sports and entertainment host Ana Jurka , Premier League host Carlota Vizmanos , and Mexican soccer icon Carlos Hermosillo .
• Click here for the star-studded roster of soccer legends and experts joining Telemundo Deportes onsite, including former Mexican national team head coach Miguel “Piojo” Herrera , Real Madrid and Spanish national team legend Fernando Hierro , World Cup champions Mauro Silva of Brazil and Claudio Borghi of Argentina, and 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlán of Uruguay and many more.
• Talent covering the FIFA World Cup 2022™ on Peacock’s 24/7 channel include hosts and journalists Carmen Boquin , Diego Arrioja , Piero Menor , Luis Baraldi , Pablo Mariño , and Pablo Alsina , and current Houston Dash and former Liga MX Femenil player María Sánchez , who competed with Mexico at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

TELEMUNDO DEPORTES FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022™ SCHEDULE & ANNOUNCE TEAM

(Pre-Game Coverage Begins One Hour Prior to Kickoff)

About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises: 

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises leads the media industry in the production and distribution of Spanish-language content for U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The company serves the full spectrum of U.S. Hispanics through its national broadcast network, the cable network Universo, and digital platforms including the Telemundo app and streaming services, such as Peacock, among others. The Telemundo Network offers Spanish-language entertainment, news, and sports content reaching 93% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 owned stations and 56 affiliate stations. Telemundo also owns an independent station serving Puerto Rico. Telemundo is the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language home of the world’s two most popular sporting events, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games, as well as the Premier League and Mexican soccer team Chivas. The #1 producer of scripted Spanish-language content in the U.S., Telemundo Global Studios includes Telemundo Television Studios, Telemundo Streaming Studios, and Underground Producciones. Telemundo’s new Tplus content brand will launch on Peacock later this year, featuring programming developed for the full spectrum of Hispanics. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Where to watch the World Cup final trophy ceremony on FOX if NFL games start

We have reached extra time in the 2022 World Cup final, with Argentina and France tied at 2-2.

And as of publishing this, there’s a chance that by the time a winner is declared, whether it’s in extra time or with some penalty kicks, the Week 15 slate of NFL games could be kicking off by 1 PM ET.

Which means FOX — the broadcaster of both the 2022 World Cup in Qatar AND the NFL — could have some conflicts.

Fear not soccer and football fans: If you want to watch the trophy presentation if it bleeds into kickoff time in the NFL, FOX will move it over to FS1:

PROGRAMMING ALERT 🚨 In the event the FIFA World Cup trophy ceremony happens near or after 1PM ET, live coverage of the trophy celebration will shift to FS1 as the NFL kicks off on FOX. — FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) December 18, 2022

There you go.

World Cup 2026 TV Schedule USA and Streaming Links

This World Cup TV schedule has everything you need to know about the biggest sporting event on Earth.

Where to watch the World Cup on TV?

World Cup 2026, like those of 2018 and 2022, is live across FOX and FS1 (English-language) plus Telemundo and Universo (Spanish-language). All World Cup games are shown live across streaming services fuboTV , Peacock TV , Sling TV , and YouTube TV.

Watch the World Cup on Fubo:

World cup 2026 tv schedule.

Pro Tip: To make sure you don’t miss a match, download the Soccer TV Schedules App that includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices ).

Also, courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide , which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming.

As the 2026 World Cup nears, there will be new developments in regard to the full schedule. Teams and actual time slots are not confirmed until just months before the World Cup. However, the format should smooth out in the years leading up to the competition.

When is the next World Cup?

After Argentina defeated France in the 2022 World Cup Final, heads already started turning to 2026. That tournament, hosted jointly by the USA, Mexico and Canada, kicks off in the summer of 2026. There are no specific dates lined up yet. However, it is a return to the more traditional timing of June to July. The previous World Cup was the first to take place outside that time frame, as it went from November through December.

The 2026 World Cup also has a number of changes. There will be 48 teams competing, up from 32 in 2022.

It is the second time the United States is the host, and the third for Mexico. Canada, on the other hand, only has experience with a Women’s World Cup. Yet, that is valuable experience for a country hosting its first men’s World Cup.

2026 HOST CITIES

Sixteen host cities across the three nations have been selected and broken into three regions – East, Central, and West. Half of the venues usually use artificial turf, but will have natural grass playing surfaces installed for the tournament. 

Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium), San Francisco Bay (Levi’s Stadium), Seattle (Lumen Field), and Vancouver (BC Place) make up the West region. 

Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Dallas (AT&T Stadium), Houston (NRG Stadium), Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium), Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) are the Central hosts.

And in the East, matches will be staged in New England (Gillette Stadium), Miami (Hard Rock Stadium), New Jersey/New York (MetLife Stadium), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field), and Toronto (BMO Field). 

Several of the host cities have hosted World Cup games in past tournaments. However only one stadium has been used before – Estadio Azteca. None of the stadiums from the 1994 World Cup are being used. Three no longer exist, and the rest were either not submitted as potential hosts and/or passed over in favor of more modern facilities. Toronto’s BMO Field will be the only World Cup venue that was specifically built for an MLS team. But four others are the regular home venues for MLS sides. And every stadium in the tournament has hosted high-level soccer matches in some capacity in the past.

Vancouver hosted matches at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but 2026 will be Toronto’s first World Cup games of any sort. BMO Field will be expanded for the tournament to meet seating capacity requirements.

World Cup History

For almost a century, the history of the FIFA World Cup captivated supporters across the world. It is, after all, the ultimate event in the world’s most popular sport. The competition began modestly with the goal of bringing people together through sport and has since grown into a massive spectacle that attracts billions of viewers.

Nothing in soccer can rival the prestige of the World Cup . While the UEFA Champions League may deliver games of similar quality, it falls short of the status earned by the World Cup due to its long-standing tradition and the unique aspect of one team representing an entire country.

Supporters journey from various corners of the globe to witness their preferred teams play against some of the world’s most skilled soccer players. Teams representing Africa, Asia, Europe, North and Central America, and the Caribbean, Oceania, and South America compete in the World Cup. In addition, in terms of significance, no other sports event can compete.

The World Cup stands as the most prestigious soccer tournament globally, recognized as the most extensively watched and followed single sporting event across the world. The 2018 World Cup pulled in about 3.57 billion viewers, which is nearly half of the global population. In comparison, engagement with the 2022 World Cup hit 5 billion. Approximately 1.5 billion individuals tuned in for the final match.

Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup, making it the most recent of 17 countries to host the competition. Mexico will hold the unique distinction of being the first nation to host games in three World Cups when it co-hosts the 2026 event with the United States and Canada.

The idea behind the World Cup

Scotland vs. England was the world’s first international soccer match, which took place in Glasgow in 1872. England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland competed in the first-ever British Home Championship, the first-ever international competition for nations held in 1884.

In the early 1900s, soccer gained popularity in various regions of the world. It was a demonstration sport at the Summer Olympics, with no medals given out in 1900 and 1904.

FIFA attempted to set up an international soccer competition in 1906 in Switzerland amongst countries not affiliated with the Olympic Games after it was established in 1904. International soccer was still in its infancy during these times, and the first preview of what a World Cup could be was deemed a failure by FIFA’s official history.

Soccer gained formal Olympic status in 1908 during the Summer Olympics in London. The Football Association (FA) is responsible for overseeing soccer in England. The FA organized the event. Yet many viewed it as a show, not a competition. This tournament exclusively featured amateur athletes.

In 1909, Sir Thomas Lipton organized the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy tournament in Turin, although the Olympic event remained an amateur competition. Several clubs from various countries competed in the Lipton competition, each of which represented a whole nation – these clubs were not national teams.

It was contested by the most elite professional club teams from Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, and is frequently referred to as “The First World Cup.” The Football Association of England, however, turned down the invitation to send a professional squad and refused to be connected to the event.

Because of the Olympics’ ban on professional athletes, a global tournament featuring the best teams in the sport was badly needed. The game was going through a professionalization process in the 1920s that was not in line with the Olympic ideals. As a result, FIFA, the government organization, started planning to host a World Cup. On May 26, 1928, the decision to organize the inaugural edition was formally announced.

Inaugural tournament and how it came to be

Since its first event in Uruguay in 1930, the World Cup has been contested every four years. There were a pair of interruptions due to World War II. Now, the World Cup serves as a symbol of togetherness and joy for a host country. It welcomes the world to get a taste of its culture.

Contrast the magnificent event we know now with the humble beginnings of the World Cup. There were 13 teams in the tournament. Hosts Uruguay came out on top following a 4-2 victory against Argentina in the championship match.

In any case, the tournament’s triumph paved the way for a worldwide soccer revolution. Since then, the World Cup has become a scheduled event. Supporters rejoice in the spirit of teamwork and competition every four years.

The competition experienced an unexpected pause during World War II. Worldwide struggle canceled the 1942 and 1946 tournaments. The 1950 edition, held in Brazil, became a symbol of optimism and healing. The tournament pioneered a new group stage structure. In that same tournament, Uruguay famously upset Brazil in the final. Roughly 200,000 fans at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro watched the “Maracanazo.”

Before 1978, only 16 teams competed. In 1982, there were 24 teams; in 1998, that number doubled to 32. Starting in 2026, there will be 48 teams competing in one event. There will be a total of 16 groups, each with three teams.

From 1930 until 1970, the tournament’s winner took home the Jules Rimet Trophy. That commemorated the Frenchman who first came up with the idea for the competition. In 1970, Brazil became the first team to lift the trophy three times. Brazil ended up keeping the Jules Rimet trophy. Therefore, FIFA brought a new trophy to the World Cup.

World Cup: 21 century and modern history

Germany , Italy and France rose to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s. In 1998, with the increase to 32 teams, the tournament became more than just a soccer competition; it also served as a forum for diplomatic and cultural interaction.

South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup was the first time for an African country. Enthusiastic fanfare, the unmistakable sound of vuvuzelas and Spain’s innovative tiki-taka style brought an unforgettable tournament. This demonstrated the power of soccer’s World Cup to bring together people from all walks of life.

Nearing its centennial, the FIFA World Cup is a symbol of the power of sports to bring people together. The World Cup has grown from its humble origins in Uruguay to the worldwide spectacle it is today. Now, it is an indelible part of the fabric of human culture. Beyond the excitement of competition, it has functioned as a cultural bridge, building understanding and solidarity across cultures.

Photos: Imago

• Milano Cortina 2026
• Brisbane 2032
• Olympic Refuge Foundation
• Olympic Games
• Olympic Channel
• Let's Move

Thomas and Uber Cup 2024, live streaming: Strong Indian men’s badminton team looks to defend title - full schedule

The Indian men’s badminton team includes multiple world championship medallists while the young women’s team will be without the experienced PV Sindhu. Watch live!

The much-awaited Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 gets underway in Chengdu, the People’s Republic of China on Saturday.

India have sent an 18-member contingent - 10 men and eight women - for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals which will be held between April 27 and May 5.

The Indian men’s badminton team at the Thomas Cup will be led by world No. 3 doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and Indian world championships medallists in singles - HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth.

The Indian men’s team are the defending champions and have been drawn in Group C with Indonesia, Thailand and England. India beat Indonesia 3-0 at the Thomas Cup 2022 final in Bangkok to win the prestigious competition for the first time.

India will begin their campaign against Thailand on Saturday and take Indonesia, the most successful team in the competition with 14 titles and the runners-up in the last edition, on May 1. India will play England on April 29.

The top two teams from each of the four groups (A–D) will qualify for the quarter-finals.

On the other hand, India have fielded a young squad for the Uber Cup that features 17-year-old national champion Anmol Kharb , Ashmita Chaliha and Tanvi Sharma.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu opted out of this year’s Uber Cup to focus on the Paris 2024 Olympics. India’s top-ranked women’s doubles pair Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly have also skipped this year’s Uber Cup.

The Indian women’s team has been drawn in Group A where they will face hosts China, Canada and Singapore. They will begin their Uber Cup 2024 campaign against Canada on Saturday.

Where to watch Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 live in India

The Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 badminton tournament will be telecast live on the Sports18 TV channel in India and will be available for live streaming on JioCinema.

Thomas and Uber Cup 2024: India badminton squad

Indian men’s badminton team : (Singles) HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, Priyanshu Rajawat and Kiran George; (Doubles) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, MR Arjun, Dhruv Kapila and Sai Pratheek

Indian women’s badminton team : (Singles) Anmol Kharb, Tanvi Sharma, Ashmita Chaliha and Isharani Baruah; (Doubles) Shruti Mishra, Priya Konjengbam, Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker

Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 India’s schedule

All in India Standard Time (IST)

• April 27, Saturday: India vs Thailand - 3:30 PM
• April 29, Monday: India vs England - 7:00 AM
• May 1, Wednesday: India vs Indonesia - 5:00 PM
• April 27, Saturday: India vs Canada - 10:30 AM
• April 28, Sunday: India vs Singapore - 6:00 AM
• April 30, Tuesday: India vs China - 7:00 AM

Related content

From Prakash Padukone to PV Sindhu: The best of Indian badminton

History of badminton in India: A starring role in a meteoric rise

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• WorldArchery Centre

Shanghai 2024: How to watch the World Cup season opener

The Hyundai Archery World Cup returns for its 18th season in 2024, with the first of three stages taking place in the Chinese city of Shanghai on 23-28 April.

Finals will be broadcast live from the temporary arena at the Pudong Riverside Financial Plaza on 27-28 April. Watch coverage from Shanghai, including the brand-new World Cup Watchalong, with a subscription to archery+ or via World Archery’s broadcast partners.

The World Cup Watchalong, hosted by Greg White, is a podcast-style format including exclusive behind-the-scenes content and access to additional camera angles during the competition.

A select list of broadcasters is included at the bottom of this page.

Broadcast schedule

Broadcast partners.

• BeIN (MENA)
• CCTV  (China)
• Claro Sports  (Latin America)
• Eleven  (Chinese Taipei)
• Eurosport  (Europe)
• Fox (Australia)
• Rai  (Italy)
• SETIndia  (Indian subcontinent)
• SpoTV  (Korea and Southeast Asia)
• TRT  (Türkiye)

Watch coverage from Shanghai live with a subscription to archery+ .

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On Soccer With Rory Smith

Lessons in democracy from f.c. porto.

A powerful president and a popular rival highlight an election that has already featured fights, arrests and accusations of intimidation.

By Rory Smith

Things started with a brawl and have scarcely gotten better from there. Over the course of the past five months or so, there have been a string of arrests; allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering; dark whispers of illegal data breaches; vague accusations of intimidation; and several charged invectives about financial impropriety, dishonesty and betrayal.

Across the globe this year, at least 64 countries will hold elections. So, too, will the European Union. The campaigns will be fierce. Frequently, they may be toxic. Few, though, will prove quite so virulent — or offer quite such an instructive case study of the state of democracy in 2024 — as the one to decide who gets to be president of F.C. Porto.

Like dozens of clubs around Europe, Porto — one of the three great houses of Portuguese soccer — is owned by its members. Their number is currently somewhere north of 140,000. Every few years, the club holds an election, for both a president and an executive board, to determine who should run the club on their behalf.

Ordinarily, these amount to little more than paperwork. Only a small percentage of members vote. The choice is usually between two essentially indistinguishable old men, when there is a choice at all. Until the last round of elections, in 2020, Porto had been a democracy in only the most nominal sense.

Since 1982, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa has served as Porto’s president. In that time, he has seen the team crowned champion of Europe twice — 1987 and 2004, trivia fans — and established it as Portugal’s pre-eminent force. Porto has won 23 Portuguese titles on Pinto da Costa’s watch, nine more than Benfica, its nearest rival in that time.

There was, then, usually little appetite for change. Frequently, the club’s elections were the sort that might appeal to a strongman somewhere in the former Soviet bloc. Pinto da Costa was largely re-elected unopposed, the votes little more than a tick-box exercise, a parade of bureaucracy, with all of the excitement that entails.

This year has been quite different. Some 35,000 members or so are expected to vote on Saturday, a far higher turnout than normal. They will be asked to choose one of three presidential candidates on the ballot.

There is Pinto da Costa, now 82, and Nuno Lobo, a 54-year-old businessman and the defeated challenger in 2020. More eye-catching, though, is André Villas-Boas, still boyish at 46, revered not only as the young upstart who coached Chelsea and Tottenham, but also as the manager who led Porto itself to a treble in 2011 . He had been appointed, at the age of just 31, under the aegis of Pinto da Costa.

Villas-Boas announced his candidacy — as a lifelong member, he said, it had always been his dream to be club president — at a lavish presentation in November that was attended by a phalanx of former Porto players.

Then he tried to take a diplomatic tack with the man who had given him his chance. The message was — admittedly partly through political expediency — that, for all the gratitude owed to Pinto da Costa, it was time for a change. (Villas-Boas was less gracious toward the manager under whom he made his name: In a stirring montage of Porto’s greatest triumphs, José Mourinho was conspicuous by his absence.)

By challenging a powerful incumbent, though, Villas-Boas quickly found it more and more difficult to maintain that particular line. At the club’s general assembly in November, members of the Super Dragões, Porto’s largest ultra faction, were reported to have attacked those who spoke out against the club’s leadership. A dozen people were subsequently arrested , among them the group’s leader, Fernando Madureira. A police raid on his house later found drugs, weapons and several thousand euros in cash. (Madureira remains in prison, awaiting trial.)

That set the tone. All three candidates have spent the past few months touring various locations in the city, visiting fan groups and canvassing for votes, as any self-respecting presidential candidate would. The rhetoric has grown increasingly splenetic. “Almost every day, it seems like a laundry, washing dirty clothes,” Lobo has said.

Pinto da Costa, clearly stung by what he perceives as a former protégé’s treachery, at one point compared Villas-Boas to his dog. He has accused Villas-Boas of surrounding himself with “enemies of F.C. Porto,” hinting that he is merely a stooge for others. He has highlighted Villas-Boas’s upper-middle-class lineage, casting him as an elitist snob, and suggested that his campaign illegally obtained the phone numbers of voting members.

Villas-Boas, on the other hand, has been unsparing about what he sees as Pinto da Costa’s mismanagement of the club. Porto’s latest financial figures showed debts and liabilities of more than $700 million, proof of what he has called its “dysfunctional structure.” The club, he has said, is essentially in “operational bankruptcy.”

Pinto da Costa, he claims, has allowed Porto, once a model for how clubs could navigate the transfer market, to be used as a “negotiating warehouse,” with control of its transfer strategy essentially ceded to a handful of favored agents. “The club’s authority has been dissipated in favor of the interests of certain intermediaries,” Villas-Boas said.

He has sought guarantees on the transparency of the elections, and described November’s violence — which led to accusations that the ultras were protecting what they see as a beneficial relationship with the club’s current leaders — as one of the “darkest days in Porto’s history.” All of that, Villas-Boas maintains, proves the urgent need for reform.

Quite how the election will go on Saturday is unclear: The anticipated record turnout bodes well for Villas-Boas, but then soccer teams are inherently conservative places, wary of drastic change and quick to grasp at the comfort of the familiar. Porto has been Pinto da Costa’s fief for four decades; the fans, the members, may find it hard to envisage a world in which that is not the case.

What is more apparent, and more disheartening, is that it is not especially difficult to draw a line between all of this — the charges and allegations, the easy-reach conspiracies, the acrid threat of actual violence — and what may play out on rather greater electoral stages in the next few months. This, it would appear, is just how democracy works in 2024, whether it is the future of a club or a country at stake.

Big Step, Bigger Shoes

It is hard to argue that Arne Slot does not deserve his chance. In his three seasons at Feyenoord, he has delivered only the club’s second championship of the century, picked up a Dutch cup, and guided the team to its first European final since 2002. And he has done all of it with a squad pieced together on a budget much tighter than those of his domestic rivals.

That he has emerged as the front-runner to replace Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, then, is no surprise. (As of the time of writing, the coach and the club were discussing compensation; the momentum seems likely to end in an appointment.)

Liverpool had promised a forensic, data-led approach to its search for Klopp’s replacement. Slot ticks most of the boxes. Liverpool may be gambling that the most gaping hole on his résumé — experience handling the caliber of player he would find at Anfield — is down to a lack of opportunity rather than ability.

Slot’s greatest challenge, though, would not be the squad. It will be the fans. That Slot seemed to feel, to many, to be an underwhelming choice is down not to him but rather to the man he would be tasked with replacing: Klopp, who has not only won almost every trophy available to him in his nine years at Liverpool, but also established an iron bond with the crowd and much of the city, too.

If hired and given time, Slot might be able to replicate that, and perhaps even surpass it. But time is unlikely to be in generous supply. The great challenge for Slot — as it would have been for whoever replaced Klopp — would be what happens if Liverpool, a couple of months into next season, finds itself eighth in the Premier League, already scrabbling to keep pace. Slot is a rational, logical choice. The test, after Klopp, is emotional.

David vs. Goliath. But Also Goliath vs. David.

There was no question that Chelsea’s win in the first leg of its Women’s Champions League semifinal against Barcelona last week was something of a surprise: Barcelona Femení, after all, had not lost at all in a year, had not lost at home since before the pandemic and was the overwhelming favorite to be crowned European champion yet again.

Still, the idea of Emma Hayes’s Chelsea team as a sort of Mighty Ducks-style underdog does not really fit with reality. Chelsea, after all, has broken the world transfer record at least twice, employs several of the highest-paid women’s players in the world, and has won each of the last four editions of the Women’s Super League, the richest women’s tournament in Europe.

Barcelona, of course, is under pressure to overturn the one-goal deficit and reach a fifth Champions League final in six years when the teams meet on Saturday in the return leg in London. But Chelsea has certain expectations, too. The fact that it has not yet won a European title is something of an omission on Hayes’s otherwise unimpeachable résumé. She will certainly not want to leave England without rectifying that situation.

Rory Smith is a global sports correspondent, based in the north of England. He also writes the “ On Soccer With Rory Smith ” newsletter. More about Rory Smith

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