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