Holders Argentina will defend their World Cup crown against Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey, with kick-off at 8pm BST. Spain booked their place in the showpiece by beating France in Dallas, adding a chance at global glory to their Euro 2024 continental title. Argentina joined them after a stoppage-time winner broke England hearts in the semi-final – a match where Thomas Tuchel's substitute strategy backfired spectacularly.
Slavko Vincic has been named as the referee for the final. The official has worrying previous with Argentina, having overseen a shock defeat for the holders earlier in the tournament.
“Argentina face Spain in World Cup final; Slavko Vincic referees; England fan who got tattoo adds 'just kidding'.”
Saturday saw France and England, the two semi-final losers, face off in a wild third-place play-off, which the Three Lions won 6-4. England's campaign ended in heartbreak for one fan in particular: Sean Carrington, a 36-year-old Wigan roofer who spent £550 on a tattoo reading "England World Cup Winner 2026" after England's 2-1 win over DR Congo in the Round of 32. Convinced Tuchel's side would go all the way, he inked the design before England had even played Norway in the quarter-finals.
When Argentina knocked England out, Carrington took the disappointment in good humour. He plans to add the words "just kidding" beneath the tattoo. To soften the blow, Hotel Football – the Manchester hotel co-founded by Gary Neville and his Class of '92 teammates – invited Carrington and a friend for a complimentary overnight stay, where they watched England's final game as VIP guests. Jessica Southworth, Marketing Director at Hotel Football, said: "Like the rest of the country, we were gutted to see England's World Cup dream come to an end. When we heard Sean's story, we couldn't resist inviting him to Hotel Football."
Carrington said: "I'll be honest, I thought I was going to look like a footballing genius when I got the tattoo done. Unfortunately, things didn't quite go to plan, but I've had a lot of laughs about it since."