Baghdad: New York City is preparing for an extraordinary atmosphere ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, after nearly 50,000 Argentinian fans arrived to support their national team in the highly anticipated match against Spain.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, not all the fans came from Argentina, as a large number of Argentinian expatriates residing in the United States are also participating, while some will be unable to enter the stadium due to limited seating.

Signs of the Argentinian fan presence began to emerge as early as the semi-finals, when fans faced difficulties traveling from Atlanta to New York due to the high demand for rental cars.

It is expected that Argentinian fans will outnumber Spanish fans in the city and inside the stadium, reflecting the intense passion that accompanies the reigning world champions.

The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will be held tomorrow, Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New York, concluding the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams and be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.