![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784472910_201_Matt_Hughes.png\")
Matt Hughes<\/p>\nKey events<\/p>\n
Matt Hughes<\/p>\n
More from New York\u2026<\/p>\n
US Secret Service staff are conducting individual body and bag searches of every fan attending the World Cup<\/a> final leading to concerns that all of the 82,500 ticket holders may not get into the ground before kickoff.<\/p>\n Defending champions Argentina\u2019s meeting with Spain at the New York\/New Jersey Stadium has been designated as a National Special Security Event due to the attendance of US President Donald Trump, with the highest level of security measures put in place.<\/p>\n A US Secret Service agent told The Guardian that every fan will be searched as well as being subject to airport-style security. Thousands of US Secret Service agents are on duty with helicopters flying overhead five hours before kickoff.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone will be thoroughly searched,\u201d one agent said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be an interesting day.\u201d<\/p>\n A huge line of matchday operational and media staff had begun queuing to get into the stadium at 8am, with the crowd swelling to around ten thousands by the time the gates opened at 9am.<\/p>\n All staff were funnelled through one entrance, with just two stewards employed to scan accreditation passes before a further queue to access six airport scanners followed by the individual body searches.<\/p>\n Celebrities were not spared the searches with J\u00fcrgen Klopp, who is working as a pundit for German streaming service Magenta before replacing Julian Nagelsmann as Germany coach at the end of the World Cup, among those resigned to spending hours in the queue.<\/p>\n Most fans who have paid thousands of dollars to attend, with some tickets still being listed for sale at $34,500 yesterday, have yet to arrive but will face lengthy queues.<\/p>\n Trump is due to arrive on his helicopter, Marine One, in the hour before kick-off with his attendance at the final where he will present the trophy to the winning team adding complications to what was already a logistically challenging event for Fifa.<\/p>\n The New York\/New Jersey Stadium is famously inaccessible, a problem compounded by the fact that the price of New Jersey transit trains from Manhattan have been increased to $98, which will add to traffic congestion.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The MetLife will, I imagine, be full of Argentina, the extent to which their support give them strength not to be underestimated. In theory, the game is the game wherever it\u2019s played, but humans don\u2019t work like that, and the backing Scaloni\u2019s men get clearly lifts them.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Times Square yesterday\u2026<\/p>\n Photograph: Ryan Murphy\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a>Share<\/a> Photograph: John Sibley\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Another of our men on the ground\u2026<\/p>\n US Secret Service staff are conducting individual body and bag searches of every fan attending the World Cup<\/a> final leading to concerns that all of the 82,500 ticket-holders may not get into the ground before kick-off.<\/p>\n Defending champions Argentina\u2019s meeting with Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium has been designated as a National Special Security Event due to the attendance of the US president, Donald Trump, with the highest level of security measures put in place.<\/p>\n Members of the media and staff queue to enter New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday \u2013 but there is concern fans could face delays. Photograph: John Sibley\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.42 EDT<\/p>\n I\u2019d like to add a cult hero, if I may: Pico Lopes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Something to read on the great man. I can\u2019t think of many whose top level was higher or who changed the game so profoundly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I think it\u2019s also worth noting the extent to which Spanish footballing culture pervades the grass-roots game around the world; along with Ronaldinho, who integrated freestyle trickery and attitude into the elite level, it is the biggest influence on the modern style.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA week ago, France were the greatest side ever seen in a World Cup<\/a>,\u201d says Gary Stover. \u201cAnybody think Hall or Shaw would have been better than Spence? Anybody think Foden or Palmer would have saved England v Argentina? Maybe someone who\u2019s currently having to make things work on the pitch, say Emma Hayes, has a better understanding of today\u2019s game. Born in England, made in the USA, she sees first hand how the attitudes of me first, team second have slowed the development of both.\u201d<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think it\u2019s right to say Hayes was made in the USA \u2013 she was already an all-timer before she moved. But yes, I agree that Shaw and Hall are both better than the left-backs taken ahead of them.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I advocated for this before Argentina played England, and they didn\u2019t do it, but can they really afford to take on Spain with a midfield two? I\u2019d get Lautaro into a tight front three with Simeone dropping out, then a narrow trio behind them and the full-backs tasked with supplying width.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m wary of disagreeing with Emma Hayes,\u201d writes David Wall, \u201cbut i think she\u2019s wrong about the importance of individuals to Spain. Spain have been hindered in this tournament because Williams has barely been able to play and Lamine Yamal has been half-fit for a lot of it. The replacements for them are simply not up to their class and impact. Perhaps in terms of creating passing angles and retaining possession it\u2019s not important which individuals are playing as almost all of the Spanish players do that by habit. But it\u2019s just not true to say that particular individuals don\u2019t make a significant difference to how they play and how effective they are.\u201d<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think someone who\u2019s managed so many brilliant individuals doesn\u2019t think the best of them can determine the outcome of games. Rather, Spain rely on a style, inculcated from young and through the age-groups, in a way other countries do not.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.04 EDT<\/p>\n I did, though, love Promise David\u2019s effort for Canada against Switzerland. Feels a long, long time ago , that.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.27 EDT<\/p>\n What\u2019s your goal of the tournament? I don\u2019t actually think this one is close\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u2026given the circumstances, it can only be Sidny Lopes Cabral.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe never ending introspection after England go out of a major tournament is the gift that keeps on giving,\u201d says Niall Mullen. \u201cWhat does the Peasant\u2019s Revolt tell us about our inability to keep the ball under pressure? Do the Corn Laws mean we\u2019ll never truly thrive in a positionally inflexed modern game etc.? All of this disappears if various penalties down the years aren\u2019t missed, if Gazza doesn\u2019t slow down in 1996, or if Jordan Pickford was a step to his right and had slightly longer arms on Wednesday night. The psychoanalysis of a nation based on the bounce of a ball is obviously absurd, but it is hugely entertaining. So please keep it coming.\u201d<\/p>\n The problem, ultimately is the unwritten constitution. England won\u2019t win anything until Parliament passes a bill of rights.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n More on Will\u2019s post below about Messi bathing Lamine Yamal. Great work, you have to say.<\/p>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Also going on: <\/p>\n Goodness me, what a day of sport this is.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Will and hi again all. I can confirm I\u2019ve flogged my ageing carcass on treadmill and sauna, so am now full of endorphins or ready to expire; definitely one of the two.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.03 EDT<\/p>\n Daniel Harris is mentally and physically primed for two more hours of content. Back in a bit.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.58 EDT<\/p>\n double quotation markWhere Spain<\/a> have abandoned the notion of la furia, Argentina have embraced it. It\u2019s obviously not as simple as just staying in the game until Messi can do something brilliant, but equally his capacity to turn matches through ability and force of will is in an enormous asset. The Messi-inspired late surge has been the defining feature of Argentina in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I think Spain have the stronger bench and with the likes of Nico Williams primed to come off it for a cameo, some damage could be done down the flanks late on. The Argentina full-backs aren\u2019t much to write home about, so will be fear some fresh legs when they are tired.<\/p>\n Spain’s Nico Williams: threatening a dangerous cameo. Photograph: Joel Marklund\/Bildbyr\u00e5n\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.27 EDT<\/p>\n The two best teams in the tournament are in the final. And I always love it when we get a final that’s never happened before.<\/p>\n Will be gutted for whoever loses but delighted for the winner.<\/p>\n Spain – the best international side of the last 20 years hands down, with their clear identity and way of playing, built around control of the football. I’d love to see them win it.<\/p>\n Argentina – the greatest competitors in international football in the last 6 years, never know when they’re beaten, if you want a fight they’ll have a fight, if you want to play they’ll play too. And of course, the little genius, the most talented player in history, the potential narrative of him going back to back is almost too hard to resist. I’d love to see this too.<\/p>\n If you held a gun to my head, I’d have to pick the slightly superior collective of Spain to edge a very tight game. But it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Argentina prevail because of their indefatigable spirit, and because a genius decides for the umpteenth time to simply bend a match to his will.<\/p>\n Can’t wait. Roll on 8pm.<\/p>\n Our brave boys are home.<\/p>\n England’s Elliot Anderson disembarks the plane after arriving at Birmingham Airport. Photograph: Cody Froggatt\/PAFans watch as the players are driven out of the airpot. Photograph: Cody Froggatt\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Tottenham first-team coach Stuart Lewis is set to leave to take up a role at newly promoted Premier League club Ipswich, the Press Association understands.<\/p>\n Former Wycombe and Gillingham midfielder Lewis has spent the last decade coaching at Spurs and won three trophies in charge of the Under-18s across a four-year spell before he earned a promotion last summer.<\/p>\n Lewis, 38, spent the 2025-26 campaign in a newly created first-team academy transition coach role and helped Jun\u2019ai Byfield and Luca Williams-Barnett make their professional debuts during a difficult season for Tottenham, but will now join Ipswich as part of Gary O\u2019Neil\u2019s coaching set-up.<\/p>\n It ends a lengthy association with the north London club for Lewis, who featured in the FA Youth Cup for Spurs as a player before he returned as a coach in 2015 and contributed towards the development of highly-rated teenager Mikey Moore, who excelled on loan at Rangers last season. PA Media<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It is a bumper day of live sport \u2026<\/p>\n Formula One<\/p>\n Cricket<\/p>\n Cycling<\/p>\n Golf<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Needless to say, it\u2019s been a busy few days for Sid. He\u2019s also been writing about that of Lionel Messi and baby Lamine Yamal.<\/p>\n I wonder what the rubber duck is up to now.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe man who took it, the photographer Joan Monfort, says he didn\u2019t believe in destiny before but does now. In it, Messi, the greatest footballer of all time, bathes an unknown baby with a cherubic smile. The child, chosen at random and surrounded by bubbles, is Lamine Yamal. The footballer De la Fuente says was \u201ctouched by God\u2019s wand\u201d was baptised by him too.<\/p>\n Lionel Messi bathes Lamine Yamal. Photograph: Joan Monfort\/APShare<\/a> Sid Lowe went to have a big chat with Mikel Merino (another Basque) about his role as supersub at this World Cup<\/a> and plenty more.<\/p>\n double quotation markComing from the bench isn\u2019t the ideal plan for any player, but when you join a national team that\u2019s as strong as I and Lautaro have, you value every opportunity and try to help your team if you come on or if you don\u2019t. You focus on the present, embrace the situation, and think of yourself as the guy who can do it. I have complete belief in myself, my ability: every time I come on to the pitch I think I can have impact. In the final, I hope anyone [Spanish] is the hero. The trophy belongs to all of you, not just the 11 on the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n Mikel Merino and his vest. Photograph: Pablo Garcia\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Unai Simon has had a quietly confident World Cup<\/a>, helping take Spain to the final. It always go to show that having a Basque goalkeeper is worthwhile. I suspect he will have a key moment later on that could define his tournament.<\/p>\n Unai Simon<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Can Lionel Messi catch Kylian Mbappe after the Frenchman\u2019s two goals last night?<\/p>\n I would still suggested goals in the bronze medal match are worth less.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s an impressively quick turnaround from finishing a match in Miami at midnight BST. You have to admire the logistics involved.<\/p>\n Hopefully the players can finally get some rest are a ludicrously elongated tournament.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The England squad has safely arrived back in the UK, landing at Birmingham Airport not long ago.<\/p>\n Bystanders watch the plane carrying the England squad land. Photograph: Cody Froggatt\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Ed Aarons has come up with his player ratings for the England squad from this tournament.<\/p>\n It transpires that Jude Bellingham was quite good.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Senne Lammens will come back from his World Cup<\/a> frustration as a better goalkeeper, according to Manchester United team-mate Tom Heaton.<\/p>\n Lammens was at fault in Belgium\u2019s 2-1 quarter-final loss to Spain when he spilt Pau Cubarsi\u2019s 25-yard strike into the path of Mikel Merino, who fired into the roof of the net for an 88th-minute winner.<\/p>\n Lammens had come off the bench to replace an injured Thibaut Courtois in what was his only appearance at the World Cup. It was a huge moment for the 24-year-old but, having spoken to him in the aftermath, Heaton has no doubt the man who has locked down United\u2019s number one position will bounce back.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was obviously a challenging moment for him, but I think that\u2019s the life of a goalkeeper,\u201d Heaton said following United\u2019s 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki. \u201cAs soon as you put the gloves on and go between the sticks, you have to be ready to deal with that. He certainly is. I actually think he\u2019ll be stronger for it.<\/p>\n \u201cI think his personality is fantastic for a goalkeeper, so no issues there. It\u2019s obviously disappointing for him, but I do honestly think it can help him in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n All goalkeepers go into a match knowing any mistakes are likely to lead to goals and can determine games. Heaton is sure Lammens has the personality to handle it at the highest level.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve certainly seen that from him as a young goalkeeper coming into Manchester United and dealing with that unbelievably well,\u201d Heaton added. \u201cI highly doubt he\u2019ll be going into (the next match) with fear or worrying about what may happen. It\u2019s more about what you want to go and achieve, whilst also accepting if it happens you can deal with it.\u201d PA Media<\/p>\n Senne Lammens was unhappy at full-time after Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup. Photograph: Michael Zemanek\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Get in the mood for the final by testing your brain matter with this devilish quiz.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Bukayo Saka hailed England\u2019s mentality after their thrilling 6-4 win over France sealed a third-place finish at the World Cup<\/a>. It\u2019s England\u2019s best finish at the tournament since winning it in 1966.<\/p>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> My colleague Philipp Lahm has written his latest column.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe architect of Spain\u2019s vision is Johan Cruyff. He brought the 4-3-3 formation and a specific ideology to Barcelona. A cadre of tactical purists, such as Pep Guardiola and Unai Emery, refined his approach into a philosophy that has defined the playing style of the entire league, all youth squads and the national team for nearly two decades. Its principles include ball-oriented defending, clearly defined positions and roles, a high level of organisation, and technical, combination-based football. Eleven players operate as a unit, moving like a swarm.<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, has internalised this guiding philosophy. He spent decades working in youth development at club and federation level, and his assistants are longtime associates. On the pitch, this style is embodied by Rodri, the world\u2019s best player.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fifa has been accused of providing an \u201copen door to fraud\u201d and allowing political influence to cast doubt on the integrity of the World Cup in a stinging rebuke by the Council of Europe\u2019s secretary general. Share<\/a><\/p>\n Niall Mullen writes: \u201cThe never ending introspection after England go out of a major tournament is the gift that keeps on giving. What does the Peasant\u2019s Revolt tell us about our inability to keep the ball under pressure? Do the Corn Laws mean we\u2019ll never truly thrive in a positionally inflexed modern game etc.? All of this disappears various penalties down the years aren\u2019t missed, if Gazza doesn\u2019t slow down in 1996, or if Jordan Pickford was a step to his right and had slightly longer arms on Wednesday night. The psychoanalysis of a nation based on the bounce of a ball is obviously absurd, but it is hugely entertaining. So please keep it coming.\u201d<\/p>\n THIS IS WHAT WE LIVE FOR!!!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Goalkeeper Radek Vitek is ready to leave Manchester United in search of regular first-team football.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old spent last season on loan with Bristol City, where the former Czech Republic Under-21 international kept 12 clean sheets in 41 appearances.<\/p>\n With Senne Lammens having locked down United\u2019s number-one spot since joining last September and Karl Darlow freshly arrived as his new number two, Vitek knows he must leave Old Trafford to further his development and is ready to make the move permanent if necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel great and ready to go again somewhere to hopefully be number one,\u201d Vitek said after playing the second half of United\u2019s 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki. \u201cI hope there will be some interest. I think you will know when the things are more concrete.\u201d<\/p>\n Vitek, who has been linked with Scottish champions Celtic, has two years left on the United contract he signed last summer. He joined United as a 16-year-old from Czech club Sigma Olomouc and spent time on loan with Accrington and Austrian club BW Linz before spending last season in the Championship.<\/p>\n Asked if he preferred a loan or a permanent move, Vitek added: \u201cI\u2019m ready for both to be fair. It depends on what the club wants and also depends on the options and, yeah, we\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been a few interests on the table, but we\u2019re hoping to get the best one and hopefully it will happen soon. I want to play every week and that\u2019s the goal for next season. Hopefully I find out soon where that\u2019s going to be.\u201d PA Media<\/p>\n Radek Vitek featured for Manchester United in a friendly on Saturday. Photograph: Ash Donelon\/Manchester United\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> double quotation markThe Nobel prize-winning economist Simon Kuznets said there were four types of countries: developed, underdeveloped, Japan and Argentina<\/a>. Not fitting easily into a type, especially in our binary times when complexity and nuance have become increasingly alien to our processing abilities, is characteristic of Argentina and its people.<\/p>\n There is a meme doing the rounds that says: \u201cTo kick the Spanish out, first we had kick out the British. History is cyclical and repeats itself.\u201d The image is of battles of independence more than two centuries ago, and the reference is to two British military incursions met with enough resistance to stop them. We learn about the British invasions<\/a> in primary school in Argentina but I have never met a Briton who has heard of them.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Daniel. Larks galore await!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Righto, that\u2019s it from me for now. Here\u2019s Will Unwin, who\u2019ll croon you through the next bit.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s amazing, really, the environment Scaloni has cultivated for his squad. Their sense of mission is palpable, the sense of destiny mystical, and their unity in that supernatural. How well that works against Spain\u2019s composure will go a long way towards settling our final.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n double quotation markFor England, watching Sunday\u2019s final will be painful. Why can\u2019t we cross the line? Is it to do with our social, cultural makeup? I believe it is to do with the mental part of the game. At the highest level you have to train your muscles in your brain as much as you train the rest of your body, to be able ensure emotion doesn\u2019t plague your performance under pressure. We have to ask ourselves, why are Argentina so successful at delivering when it really matters and we\u2019re not?<\/p>\n This is not about tactics, it is not about substitutions. We are being shortsighted and emotional when we discuss those things straight after a semi-final defeat. Long term, we have to ask what is it in our psyche that we haven\u2019t addressed as a nation to overcome this? And how do we all contribute to that; players, coaches, fans, media, clubs \u2026 all of us?<\/p>\n I think this point is reflected in the difficulty English football has with controlling midfielders, players able to remain calm in the maelstrom, in favour of box-to-boxers charging about, exhorting their teammates to yet greater physical effort.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Emma Hayes has been, for mine, the best pundit on UK telly. I\u2019m delighted to embed her in written form.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re just under way at Lord\u2019s\u2026<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/601.jpg\")
Photograph: BlueskyShare<\/a>Potential delays to get into the MetLife StadiumMatt Hughes<\/p>\n![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784472911_977_Jonathan_Wilson,_L.png\")
Jonathan Wilson<\/p>\n![\"avatar\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/115218555.png\")
<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Sid](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784472912_229_Sid_Lowe,_L.png\")
Sid Lowe<\/p>\n![\"Philipp](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/philipp_lahm.png\")
Philipp Lahm<\/p>\n
In an open letter published to coincide with Sunday\u2019s final, Alain Berset also called for a new integrity framework to be built before the 2030 tournament, which is mainly being staged in Europe, and warned that Fifa<\/a> was embroiled in a crisis involving money and power.<\/p>\n![\"Marcela](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/marcela-mora-y-araujo.jpg\")
Marcela Mora y Araujo<\/p>\n