More than 46 million Argentines woke up this Sunday July 19 with only one thing in mind: the grand final of the 2026 World Cup before the selection of Spain. Everything else is done before the game or not at all, from grocery shopping to Sunday mass, depending on what is mentioned on social media.
As the countdown to the start of the game progresses in East Rutherford, New Jersey —13 hours of Guatemala—, the majority takes the opportunity to calm their anxiety and dedicate themselves to preparations to see the decisive match, in which the Albiceleste she can win her fourth star and become two-time world champion for the first time.
“I came to buy meat to have a barbecue, have family lunch and relax. We are with a lot of nervousness and stress. We are going to have a family meeting to be together in this misfortune or in the happiness“, Ulises Tokman, who was shopping at a market fair in the city of Buenos Aires.
“I’m very anxious. The only thing that goes through my head is the songs to encourage selection. We will watch the game at home, with my two dog children, my husband and my mother, trying to be positive always. Whatever happens, this team is one for history,” stressed Mariela Gorsd, who got up early this Sunday, July 19.
They reinforce security in Argentina for the final
According to what was reported by the television network Telemundoseveral provinces and municipalities in Argentina have arranged special security operations in response to the massive concentrations that are expected this Sunday, July 19, throughout the South American nation, after the grand final of the 2026 World Cup against the Spanish team.
Likewise, according to the authorities, in Buenos Airesthe Argentine capital, City Police officers will be deployed, there will be overflights of police helicopters and real-time monitoring will be done using cameras from the Urban Monitoring Center and droneswith the aim of avoiding the repetition of events such as those of Qatar 2022.
There will be traffic closures in the city center and fences around the Obeliskwhich is not only an architectural monument, but also the main meeting point for the great celebrations popular events in the country, such as the celebrations four years ago, so the authorities will reinforce the security in that sector.
In the province of Buenos Airesthe most populated from Argentina, there will be police reinforcementespecially in the cities of La Plata and Mar del Platawhere thousands of Argentine flags decorate the balconies of all the homes and businesses, which also display decorations alluding to the Albicelestewhich seeks to make history in the USA.
More police deployed before the World Cup final
In Cordovathe second most populated of the country, more than a thousand agents from provincial, national and municipal forces will participate in the security device in the center of the provincial capital, where the sale of alcoholic beverages from two hours before the start of the match until midnight on July 19.
In Santa Fethe third most populated province in the country, the provincial Government and the Municipality of Rosaryhometown of Lionel Messiagreed to reinforce security, especially around the National Flag Monument, where, after Argentina’s victory in the semifinals, they gathered 400 thousand people to celebrate.
For its part, the Government of Mendozathe fourth most populated province in Argentina, ordered the deployment of three thousand police officers, the suspension of urban bus service after the game and the supervision of parties authorized for the night of this game. 19 July, on the occasion of Friends’ Day, which is celebrated in Argentina on July 20.