FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina as a “blessing from the football gods”, saying it was the perfect ending to what he believes is the greatest World Cup in history.Specially speaking interview with MARCA In the final evening at the New York Stadium in New Jersey, Infantino said football would have had a big chance, with Argentina internationals led by Lionel Messi taking on the Spanish side led by youngster Lamine Yamal.For Infantino, the game represents more than fighting. It is, in his opinion, the meeting of the greatest image of football and the players that many believe can define the next generation of the game.
“Blessings from the football gods”
Infantino did not try to hide his excitement as he looked ahead to Sunday’s show.“This final is a blessing from the football gods,” Infantino told MARCA.He also mentioned the special story surrounding Messi and Yamal as one of the most famous images of the tournament.“We have Messi, Lamine Yamal, and many other special players.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates at the end of the World Cup semifinal match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The FIFA president is confident that the finalists will find their place after discussing what he described as a very important competition.“They are two very good teams. They should have been in the final and they played very well.”“It was not easy to get here. There have been 48 teams, amazing matches, and a very difficult World Cup.” Infantino added, In view of the larger competition of 48 teams.
Messi and Yamal are the biggest names in football
While acknowledging the spread to 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 final World Cup match of his remarkable career. Across the middle of the line will be 19-year-old Yamal, who is widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in football.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) celebrates at the end of the World Cup soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
For Infantino, this distinction best serves the occasion.“There is Messi, there is Lamine Yamal, there are many other special players. But there is also the image. It is amazing.”He is believed to be referring to a viral photo from 2007 showing 20-year-old Lionel Messi bathing five-month-old Lamine Yamal in a plastic tub at Camp Nou. This moment was captured in the photos of the charity calendar organized by FC Barcelona and UNICEF, and will resume in 2024, attracting a lot of attention around the world when Yamal became famous.
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 Sept. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
They believe that matchup transcends football itself, bringing two generations together.
“The World Is Ending”
Infantino predicted that Sunday’s final will attract a large number of people around the world.“It’s going to be like fireworks. It’s going to be unbelievable. The world is going to stop.”“Three billion people will watch this World Cup ending.” He added.The FIFA president also praised the conditions in the tournament, saying that the scale of the event exceeded his expectations.“I thought it would be big, but not like this. Not at this level, with this culture, this celebration, and this energy.”According to Infantino, sponsors around the world have turned the competition into a global celebration.“All over the world there is a feeling of joy. Of course, when you lose you are disappointed, but people have come from everywhere to celebrate football.”
Why Infantino believes this has been the greatest World Cup ever
Infantino didn’t hesitate when asked how he would shape the tournament.“The World Cup is very exciting, unique and amazing.”He continued:“The best players, the best teams, the people, the stadiums are full, and it’s a total celebration.”For the FIFA president, the tournament has delivered everything the governing body expected, laying the foundations for future reforms.“The world stops and looks. It’s the best in history, past and present, and it prepares us for the future.”He also spoke of what he called a peaceful conflict that took place throughout the month of the tournament.“We have never had an event. People have come from all over the world, and everyone is celebrating football.”Infantino concluded by thanking football clubs and emerging nations for their support of the show.“All the players have played, but also new teams and new countries. We have seen stories that only football can write and turn into legends.”Before the end of the interview, he repeated his assessment clearly.“It’s the best World Cup in history.”
The tournament was not without controversy
Despite Infantino’s assessment, the 2026 World Cup was also fraught with controversy.FIFA has come under fire for a number of refereeing decisions in the tournament, particularly in Argentina’s defending champions. Inconsistent calls for VAR and leading decisions led to the word “VARgentina” becoming known, although FIFA’s trial department and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni have denied bias and defended the integrity of the competition.Infantino also faced scrutiny over FIFA’s relationship with United States President Donald Trump after the governing body lifted the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun following Trump’s intervention. Human rights group FairSquare later appealed to the International Olympic Committee’s Ethics Commission, alleging a breach of neutrality, with UEFA and the Belgian Football Association among those who challenged the decision.
President Donald Trump speaks as FIFA President Gianni Infantino listens during a reception at Trump Tower in New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Separately, FIFA is reviewing reports of disciplinary action after Argentina’s players displayed a sign reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” after their semifinal win in England. FIFA has confirmed that its independent disciplinary committee is reviewing relevant match reports before deciding whether further action is required under the FIFA Disciplinary Code.None of these things, however, have changed Infantino’s view of the competition.The World Cup match between Argentina and Spain will be held at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, starting at 12:30 AM IST on Monday, July 20, 2026.