2026 World Cup: A "small" final that is anything but insignificant

Four days after their crushing defeat in the semi-final, the French play England in Miami on Saturday in a match for third place in the World Cup that is anything but anecdotal, if only because it will be Didier Deschamps' last match at the helm of Les Bleus.

After 14 years in charge, the Basque coach will take his place on the French national team bench for the 185th and final time, and this born competitor will want to close this chapter with one last victory. During his tenure, Les Bleus played 187 matches, but two were managed by his assistant, Guy Stéphan.

On Sunday, the greatest World Cup in history will conclude with a dream final watched by Donald Trump. Lamine Yamal's indomitable Spain will face Lionel Messi's seemingly unstoppable Argentina in New Jersey, a country currently shrouded in wildfire smoke.

The final of the disappointed...

A few days after the emotional rollercoaster of the semi-finals, the 103rd and penultimate match of the World Cup pits two teams on the decline against each other: they saw themselves very high but are not there, and there is a better cure for a hangover than a bronze medal.

"Nobody wants to play this match," stated England's German coach, Thomas Tuchel. A sentiment echoed by Didier Deschamps, who asserted on Friday that his players "didn't want to play any more than the English."

The reason is the immense disappointment, "commensurate with the ambitions we had", stemming from their elimination in the World Cup semi-final against the implacable Spain 2-0, on Tuesday in Dallas.

It is also possible that the English are even further down the road, having been about ten minutes away from a first final in 60 years, but whose dream was shattered by Messi's ruthless soldiers on Wednesday in Atlanta (2-1), leaving "a scar" with which "we must live," said Tuchel.

With their summer holidays so close, will the age-old rivals from both sides of the Channel have the heart to play? We're betting that they will, at least on the French side.

The French players need only look at their bench to remember a very good reason to give their all: this will be the last match under the greatest French coach in their history, the one who gave them all their debuts for Les Bleus. The least they could do would be to offer a final victory to the apostle of winning.

Kylian Mbappé, for his part, will even have a personal motivation because he is still in the running for the Golden Shoe title, currently tied with Messi (8 goals).

Having played three fewer tournaments than his Argentinian rival, he is also only one goal behind in the all-time top scorers ranking for the World Cup (21 against 20).

... Before the grand finale

After the depressing match in Miami, the tournament will head north again on Sunday, in "glitz and glamour" mode next to the city that never sleeps, for the clash of two teams ready to do anything to win the most beautiful trophy in world sport, in a final "with a very spectacular show" predicted by the Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente.

Tom Cruise, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS... The show will also be off the field, as FIFA has gone all out for the closing ceremony in New Jersey of this extraordinary World Cup, with a half-time show for the first time, like at the Super Bowl.

On one side, Spain, aiming for a second Euro-World double since the one achieved in 2010. On the other, Argentina, seeking a second consecutive world title, a feat not achieved since Brazil 64 years ago.

A cold and unplayable monster, La Roja patiently stifled each of its opponents - with the exception of Cape Verde who held them to a draw in the first match - with a tight organization, relying on an ultra-dominant midfield.

Driven by its legendary "grinta", the exuberant Albiceleste escaped desperate situations throughout the knockout phase, to the point that miracles no longer surprise, like the strokes of genius from a Messi who has become the equal of "God" Maradona and perhaps even more.

Another strong personality expected at this final, Donald Trump will attend his first match, at this World Cup which he again presented on Friday as "the most successful in history", before handing the trophy to the winner with his friend Gianni Infantino, the head of FIFA.

The organization hopes that this grand finale will not be spoiled by the thick cloud of pollution that has been suffocating New York and the entire Northeast for the past few days due to smoke from gigantic fires in Canada.

AFP