The biggest match in the world. The World Cup final.
The Novibet Blog gives you all the essential info on when and where to catch it so you don’t miss a second of the action!
Reaching a final is a massive achievement for any nation, and the betting predictions for the big night carry their own special buzz.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 World Cup Final takes place on Sunday, 19 July, kicking off at 20:00 Irish time.
Over in the USA, where the match is being played, kick-off is set for 15:00 local time on the East Coast.
It’s the culmination of the first-ever 48-team, 104-match tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico and the whole planet will have its eyes fixed on it.
Where’s the final being played? MetLife Stadium
This historic showdown will be hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just a few kilometres west of New York City.
It’s the largest stadium in the tournament, with a capacity of 82,500, and it’ll be packed to the rafters with fans ready to witness a once in a lifetime event.
For sponsorship reasons, the venue is being rebranded during the World Cup as the “New York New Jersey Stadium”.
Will the favourites in the betting markets make it all the way to the final, or will an underdog pull off a shock? Right up to the last minute, anything could happen.
Where can you watch the 2026 World Cup final?
The final is being broadcast:
- Via Live streaming on Novibet.
- On RTÉ2
- Free online via RTÉ Player
The road to the final
The new 48-team format has changed the familiar route to the final.
After the group stage, teams go through four knockout rounds before reaching the final:
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
The two semi-final winners meet at MetLife Stadium, while the beaten semi-finalists battle it out for third place in the “third-place playoff”, held 24 hours earlier in Miami.
The first-ever World Cup half-time show
This year’s final brings something completely new: for the first time in World Cup history, there’ll be a Super Bowl-style half-time show.
Madonna, Shakira and BTS are set to light up MetLife Stadium, in a spectacle produced by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
What happens if it’s a draw?
If no winner emerges after the regular 90 minutes, it goes to 30 minutes of extra time.
And if the scores are still level after that, the new World Champions will be decided by a penalty shootout — where some of football’s most dramatic history gets written.
The day is drawing near. And until that big moment arrives, you’re in on the action with Novibet.
FAQs about 2026 World Cup final
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 World Cup final takes place on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at 20:00 Irish time.
Where is the 2026 World Cup final being held?
The final is being held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA — the largest stadium in the tournament, with a capacity of 82,500.
Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup final in Ireland?
The final is being broadcast on RTÉ2 and is available for free online via the RTÉ Player, while live streaming is also available on Novibet.
What happens if the final ends in a draw?
If no winner emerges after 90 minutes, it goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If the scores remain level, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.
