The semi-finals delivered exactly the drama this tournament deserved. Spain beat France 2-0 in Dallas — Mikel Oyarzabal converting a first-half penalty before Pedro Porro doubled the lead after the break, ending Mbappé and France's hopes of a third consecutive final despite Mbappé remaining the tournament's top scorer with 8 goals. In Atlanta, Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 — Lionel Messi supplying two assists as Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez struck to send the defending champions into back-to-back World Cup finals.

Now the stage is set for the biggest match in world sport. Spain vs. Argentina at MetLife Stadium is a genuine heavyweight collision — the most fluid, technically gifted team of the tournament against the defending champions and their generational captain in what could be his final World Cup match. Lamine Yamal, Spain's most electric performer all tournament, goes up against Lionel Messi, still producing moments of magic at the very end of his international career. Whichever way it falls, this final will be remembered for a generation.

When: Sunday, July 19 at 21:00 CEST (3:00 PM ET) · MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

The match nobody wants to play but everybody wants to watch. France and England — both eliminated at the semi-final stage — meet in Miami for the Bronze Final, the World Cup's official third-place playoff. It does not decide the champion, but it decides who leaves the tournament with a medal and who goes home in fourth.

The storylines write themselves. Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane are both still very much alive in the race for the Golden Boot, with Mbappé's 8 goals putting him level with Messi at the top of the standings heading into the final round of matches. Neither France nor England will have any tactical caution left to play with — third-place playoffs are historically among the most open, attacking matches of any tournament, since neither side carries the pressure of a final. Expect goals, expect ambition, and expect two proud footballing nations refusing to end their World Cup on a low note.

When: Saturday, July 18 at 23:00 CEST (5:00 PM ET) · Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

The final men's major of the golfing calendar is officially underway at Royal Birkdale, hosting the Open for the tenth time in its illustrious history. Round 1 kicked off thursday morning with wild scoring across the field — Alex Smalley and Thomas Detry both surging into the early clubhouse lead, while Bryson DeChambeau — desperate to avoid the dreaded "Cut Slam" of missing every major cut in 2026 — has started superbly and is right in contention. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, has found the notoriously tricky Birkdale greens a challenge early on, sitting a few shots off the pace as he chases a second Claret Jug to bookend a season that already includes his Masters triumph and career Grand Slam.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler returns to defend the title he won at Royal Portrush last year, arriving at Birkdale as the world number one and the player every rival must catch. Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and PGA Champion Aaron Rai all enter with genuine major-winning credentials, while home favourites Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood will have the full weight of a passionate British crowd behind them as they chase the first English Open win since Sir Nick Faldo.

Royal Birkdale's brutal, undulating links layout — with punishing rough and coastal winds that can shift 90 degrees during a single round — separates the contenders from the pretenders. Moving Day on Saturday and the final round on Sunday will decide who lifts the Claret Jug on one of the most demanding tests in the sport.

When: Thursday, July 16 – Sunday, July 19 · Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, England · Final Round Sunday, July 19