“That image cannot be projected in front of more than two billion people,” de la Fuente told Radio Nacional de Espana. “But the most important thing is that our players were the victims; no one had anything to do with any of those confrontations. They were victims and, truly, the ones who suffered through all those situations.“

Coming shortly after FIFA handed down lengthy suspensions to several of Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammates, de la Fuente’s scathing remarks only add fuel to the fire. What began on the pitch has now evolved into an intense international feud that promises to linger well into the lead-up to the 2030 World Cup.

In addition to de la Fuente, Spain midfielder Dani Olmo also voiced his frustration over the altercation involving Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala. Yet despite the sharp public exchanges, statements from both camps suggest the melee was largely driven by the heat of the moment.

De la Fuente praised his players’ restraint

In an interview following Spain’s victory over Argentina in the final, de la Fuente addressed the chaos on the pitch by commending his squad for showing restraint and refusing to be drawn further into the fracas.

Spanish midfielder Gavi, who was at the center of a tense exchange with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, also addressed the incident, expressing frustration over the referee’s failure to issue a red card during the match before tensions ultimately boiled over.

Will Argentina and Spain meet again?

Anticipation is building over whether Argentina and Spain can reschedule the Finalissima, which was originally postponed in March 2026 due to regional conflicts in the Middle East. With the World Cup dramatic finish adding a new layer of animosity, supporters on both sides are eager to see the match put back on the calendar.

Following the chaos of their World Cup final clash, the highly anticipated rematch could potentially take place during an upcoming FIFA international window. November remains the most logical target, as both nations turn their focus toward preparations for their respective 2028 continental tournaments, Euro 2028 and the 2028 Copa America.

The Barcelona legend played an instrumental role in Spain’s 2008 European Championship triumph before the country’s first-ever World Cup win in South Africa 2010. Years later, a renewed Spanish team led by coach Luis de la Fuente won the 2024 Euros in Germany before claiming the ultimate glory in US soil this year.

Bolavip asked Puyol what advice he would share for this Spanish team based on his experience, as Spain couldn’t replicate their 2010 World Cup success in Brazil 2014.

“Well, winning again after already winning is always very difficult, but I think this generation is very young,” Puyol responded to Bolavip during a press conference held by LALIGA and ESPN. “We were at a more mature age, so we didn’t have as much time, whereas I think this generation still has one or two World Cups left to reach its peak and be at the top.

“The youth system in Spanish football is very good; great players are always emerging. So I think we have a bright future ahead of us.“

Puyol’s legacy and Spain’s post-2010 World Cup era

Puyol, who also addressed Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid, earned 100 caps for Spain and left an indelible mark in world soccer. He’s also remembered for his unforgettable time at Barcelona, having captained the Blaugrana side for 10 years (from 2004 to 2014).

He couldn’t participate in Spain‘s Euro 2012 victory due to injury, but his contribution to those glorious days was still unquestionable. However, Spain suffered a shocking group stage exit at the 2014 World Cup, bringing a sudden ending to an extremely successul run.

Flash-forward to 2026, Puyol believes the new generation of Spain has a chance to keep the success going. There’s still a long way to go for the next World Cup though, and first, this Spanish team will have to defend its Euro title like Vicente del Bosque’s men did back in 2012.

Speaking with Grego Rosello on Telefe’s streaming channel, Facundo Medina stated: “Why do you think we would do what in the match? We want to win like everyone else. What do you think? I would be happy, but we lost, and we have to accept it.”

Medina admitted that even his own mother began believing some of those theories, sharing how he reacted: “I told her: ‘Come on, you too with that, stop messing around.'” He also shared an emotional moment when speaking about her: “Monica is my beloved mother; I get emotional because there were days she didn’t eat just to feed me.”

Not the first time he has addressed the topic

Facundo Medina had already taken it upon himself to clear up the matter so people would stop spreading nonsense. Upon arriving at his family home, he delivered a speech from his balcony to neighbors in a video that circulated across social media, telling them:

“Don’t believe bulls**t. You saw through photos and videos that it was always a good group. Don’t believe bulls**t. We are very sad about losing. That’s why some of the guys didn’t come here. We feel bad, we feel sad. I know it’s bad because it’s a soccer match and there are more important things in life.”

Medina, whose transfer was recently acquired by Olympique Marseille following a loan season and is targeted by Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen, played 50 minutes in the final against Spain after replacing the injured Cuti Romero.

The left-footed defender started in World Cup matches against Algeria, Austria, and Cape Verde, and came on late in the game against Egypt. On the other hand, he was an unused substitute against Jordan, Switzerland, and England.

Olmo spoke to Diari de Terrassa, via Mundo Deportivo, reacting to Ayala expressing regret over the scuffle in the 2026 World Cup final and said, “Someone who claims to be remorseful but justifies a punch by saying it was a response to ‘something said’ is almost certainly not actually remorseful.”

But Olmo didn’t stop there. He called Ayala a liar. “He is not telling the truth, because I didn’t say anything to him, so I don’t need him to apologize. What truly defines us is not the mistake, but the courage to own up to it.” This all stems from Ayala punching Olmo in the face in the aftermath of the Spain vs Argentina World Cup final.

Olmo didn’t retaliate at all

When the incident happened, Olmo didn’t respond to the punch by Ayala. In fact, it was Eric Garcia the one that pushed the Argentina coach back. This has been a hugely controversial incident as Olmo has been praised for his calm and composure.

On the other hand, Ayala has been heavily scrutinized by this act. He is a coach, a much older personality and it seems like it all stemmed from something that Olmo said. Though now, Olmo has denied ever saying something.

Neither party has faced any consequences yet

While Olmo has nothing to fear, as he is a victim in this incident, Ayala might suffer some consequences. Ayala hasn’t been punished yet, but FIFA launched an official investigation.

Ayala could be suspended for a period of time and also, due to his actions, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) could be heavily fined. However, no decision has been made as of now.

Enzo Maresca said, via Fabrizio Romano, that “Rodri will have surgery on a back problem on Monday. He needs holiday, he needs to rest, recovery, and then he will be back here with us.”

The severity of the injury and the return timetable is still not clear, but given that the 2026-2027 Premier League season starts on August 21, it’s likely that Rodri will miss the start of the season. After all, he also needs to rest, as Maresca said.

Maresca praised Rodri massively

A new era is beginning in the Manchester City realm, as Pep Guardiola left after a decade of high success and Enzo Maresca was appointed as his successor. Maresca learned from Guardiola, as he was his assistant, but Rodri will be key to help him replicate his mentor’s historic run.

Maresca praised Rodri a lot, “Every manager wants to have Rodri, because he’s a top player.” Rodri was linked to Real Madrid after shining for Spain, but after hearing Maresca, he is not going anywhere.

Rodri has re-defined what soccer stardom looks like

In a day and age where flashy plays and a rockstar lifestyle rule the world, Rodri is a low-profile, efficient, and pragmatic player. He doesn’t use flashy skills, he doesn’t wear extravagant clothing, he just dominates the game with surgical precision and high IQ.

He has now won a Ballon d’Or, a World Cup, a World Cup Golden Ball, and an Euro, just to mention some of his recent accolades. Rodri has conquered soccer in a way that is not-so-popular nowadays. These are Rodri full accolades:

• 1x Ballon d’Or
• 1x Player of the Year
• 1x World Cup winner
• 1x World Cup Golden Ball
• 1x EURO
• 1x UEFA Champions League
• 4x Premier League
• 2x UEFA Supercup
• 1x UEFA Nations League
• 1x FIFA Club World Cup
• 2x English FA Cup
• 3x English League Cup
• 1x English Supercup

Following his return to Boca Jrs, where he played a key role in his team’s victory with an assist to Miguel Merentiel, he spoke with the press and responded to conspiracy theories. “Many things were said, but Spain were superior to us in the final; they are the fair winner of the World Cup,” Paredes stated. “For us, what remains is to enjoy what we did over these eight years. It is a pleasure to be a part of this. It is something incredible.”

He did not stop there. Regarding the setback Argentina suffered against Spain, he noted: “It is going to be a long process to overcome what we went through. We achieved important things, but losing the final is going to hurt—we were very close again. It is not easy to maintain the level we had for a long time. Even though the final was lost, we had a World Cup where people felt identified with us, and that is very important.”

His future with Argentina is uncertain

Following the defeat, Scaloni cast doubt on his continuity beyond December, and in recent hours, Nicolas Otamendi confirmed that his cycle with the national team has come to an end. There is also no certainty regarding the decision Lionel Messi will make, although he has yet to speak or say goodbye to his teammates in the locker room, which emerges as a positive sign.

Paredes, for his part, also left it uncertain whether he will be included in the upcoming call-ups for the September-October FIFA windows or the November window, where the Finalissima against Spain could potentially be played.

“It is going to be very difficult to maintain this level for the group to keep functioning in this manner. Decisions need to be made calmly,” he concluded. “I don’t know if I am ready to continue. It is a process; please take some time to digest it and think about it. Rapid decisions shouldn’t be made, but it needs to be talked about.”

Paredes’ happiness

Finally, Paredes—who revealed that he suffered a cracked rib against Egypt but was able to continue playing in the decisive matches of the World Cup—summarized his feelings on the overall experience in the United States. He was happy, and probably the whole Argentina national team feels the same.

This potential matchup encounters an obstacle that could rule out the option of playing it, specifically regarding the calendar for both sides. It appears impossible for the Finalissima to unfold in 2026, given that Spain already have their international windows booked.

Specifically, between September, October, and November, Spain will face England, Croatia, and Czechia in the Nations League. However, as it is a UEFA competition, the governing body could adjust the fixture list for the Iberian side to find an open slot and allow fans to see Argentina in another title matchup.

The tentative date to play the Finalissima in 2026

Because contracts were signed and a multi-million dollar commercial agreement with Qatar—which holds the broadcast rights to the match—remains on standby, UEFA and CONMEBOL are seeking alternatives to finally host the clash between the reigning Copa America champion and the current Euro winner, thereby distributing the funds that were initially established.

ESPN reported that the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain—serving as a rematch of the 2026 World Cup final that took place this past Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—would be played before the end of the year, approximately in November, at the originally scheduled venue (Lusail Stadium in Doha).

According to the cited outlet, both CONMEBOL, led by Alejandro Dominguez, and UEFA, headed by Aleksander Ceferin, remain in talks to revive the postponed match and, if possible, play it this year—either during the FIFA window running from September 21 to October 6, or the one starting November 9 and closing November 17.

Argentina’s reserved dates

Following the 2026 World Cup final in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Argentina will return to action during the FIFA window between September 21 and October 6. During that period, the national side can play up to four matches, the details of which have yet to be defined.

“Believe me that I didn’t notice [what was happening] at the time. I must have been celebrating with others, I didn’t realize. Certainly, that was inadmissible and intolerable for soccer players of that level,” de la Fuente said during an interview on Teledeporte.

“I had praised them every day going into the final, and still do, because they are great players. [Argentina] have a great head coach, who I’m sure went went through as hard a time as we did after seeing such reactions. What I do believe must be highlighted was our behavior. Especially after that kind of aggressions and provocations, our players always kept good sportsmanship.”

Reactions to the fight

De la Fuente isn’t the first—nor will he be the last—to speak on the incident. Argentina’s assistant coach Roberto Ayala expressed regret over his scuffle with Dani Olmo once the tension had settled after the heated showdown.

Moreover, Gavi addressed his fight with Leandro Paredes and the lack of a red card for the Argentine midfielder. As for Paredes, he hasn’t made any comment on the topic. Most likely, he won’t address it and simply move on.

How the fighting started

After referee Slavko Vincic blew the final whistle on extra time and Spain were crowned the 2026 World Cup champions, players on the bench flew onto the pitch. Some words must have been exchanged between Leandro Paredes and Eric García, as the Argentine shoved the Spaniard to the ground.

Gavi intervened but received the worst of it, being targeted by Paredes and, to a lesser extent, Thiago Almada. Lionel Scaloni stepped in to separate the fighting parties, while another quarrel broke out between Ayala and Olmo. After several intense seconds, the scuffle ended and the two sides went their separate ways.

With that, the 2026 World Cup had a conclusion on par with the extreme tension of the knockout stage, though far from what the spirit of sport and FIFA’s message aims to be.

“When the match ended, my intention was to step in and separate everyone, but emotions were running high and things escalated,” Ayala told Valencia Capital Radio. “What happened isn’t an excuse, and I shouldn’t have reacted that way. It was a knee-jerk reaction to something said. But what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. Spain was the better team and deserved to win.”

The scuffle unfolded simultaneously alongside another heated brawl involving Leandro Paredes and Gavi. While tempers flared, the Spanish prodigy actually helped defuse the post-match fallout by publicly urging FIFA not to discipline Paredes for the exchange.

The post-match drama wasn’t limited to the pitch, either. Spanish pop star Rosalia found herself issuing an apology to her Argentine fanbase after her enthusiastic social media celebrations following Spain’s victory sparked backlash online.

Other key takeaways from the Argentine camp

In the aftermath of the final, several prominent figures within the Argentine squad addressed the chaos. Head coach Lionel Scaloni weighed in on the match officiating while taking high-road honors, praising Spain’s dominant performance.

While rumors swirled about potential FIFA disciplinary action targeting Paredes for his role in the melee, cooler heads ultimately prevailed. Once the dust settled, the post-match commentary served as a reminder of how quickly high-stakes tension fades once cooler heads prevail off the pitch.

Looking ahead, Argentina now shift their focus toward integrating the next generation of talent for the 2030 cycle. While question marks remain over Lionel Messi’s involvement in upcoming international fixtures, the team must also confront an uncertain future in goal after Emiliano Martinez left his international status up in the air.

Featuring global superstars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, the championship match attracted an unprecedented audience, reflecting the growing popularity of soccer across the country.

Now, FOX has confirmed that the final delivered the largest audience ever recorded for a soccer broadcast in U.S. history. Telemundo also got massive numbers.

FOX confirms record-breaking audience

According to FOX, the Argentina vs Spain World Cup final averaged 38.937 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history. The audience represented a 132% increase compared to FOX’s broadcast of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

The network also revealed that the match reached a peak audience of 51.685 million viewers, highlighting the enormous interest generated by the showdown between two of international soccer’s biggest powers.

Historic numbers across U.S. television

The record becomes even more impressive when combining the audiences from FOX and Telemundo. Across both broadcasters, the 2026 FIFA World Cup final averaged 66.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer match ever broadcast in the United States.

For FOX, the event also became the network’s largest non-NFL telecast since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, placing the World Cup final among the biggest television events of the past decade.

The remarkable figures underline how far soccer has grown in the United States, especially after the country co-hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the tournament drawing record crowds, massive television audiences, and unprecedented attention from sports fans nationwide.

While FIFA hasn’t officially announced the location of the final, the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and Morocco’s planned Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca are considered the strongest candidates. Both countries have presented different arguments as they seek to secure the centerpiece match of a historic World Cup.

The 2030 World Cup will be hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will each stage a centenary celebration match honoring the first tournament held in 1930. The final venue remains one of the major decisions still pending before the competition.

Santiago Bernabéu vs Hassan II Stadium: the battle for the 2030 final

Spain’s strongest candidate is Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, one of the most recognized stadiums in world soccer. The venue has undergone a major renovation in recent years, adding modern hospitality areas, upgraded facilities and a new design aimed at hosting global sporting events.

The Spanish bid also has the advantage of history and experience. The Bernabéu previously hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup final, when Italy defeated West Germany, and remains one of the most prestigious stadiums in European soccer.

However, Morocco have emerged as a serious challenger with an ambitious project. The country is building the Hassan II Stadium, a venue expected to hold around 115,000 spectators and become one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world.

Why Morocco believes Casablanca can host the final

Unlike existing venues, the project would offer FIFA a purpose-built stadium designed specifically for a major international event. Morocco also sees the 2030 final as an opportunity for Africa to host another World Cup showpiece. South Africa remains the only African nation to have staged a men’s World Cup, doing so in 2010.

Spain’s case: tradition, infrastructure and soccer power

The Spanish Football Federation has publicly expressed confidence that the final should be played in Spain, highlighting the country’s organizational experience and role as the largest football nation among the hosts. Spain’s argument centers around their ability to organize major events and the global importance of their soccer culture.

When will FIFA decide the 2030 World Cup final venue?

FIFA will have the final authority over the decision, and no official announcement has been made yet regarding the stadium that will host the championship match. The selection process is expected to involve discussions between FIFA, the host nations and the relevant soccer authorities

With the tournament marking 100 years since the first World Cup, the choice of venue will carry significant symbolic importance. Whether FIFA selects Spain or Morocco, the 2030 final will represent one of the most historic matches in the competition’s history.