It’s World Cup Final day! Plus: Recaps and more from Atlanta United’s return to action

Good morning, y’all! Jackson here with the Scarves and Spikes Daily newsletter for your World Cup Final Sunday.

The biggest match of the last four years is just hours away…

The curtains come to a close on an extraordinary summer of soccer across the continent this afternoon with the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final set for 3 pm in New Jersey. What a ride it’s been over the past 39 days to get here.

Yesterday, a bonkers third place match between France and England had TEN goals in it, the English securing Bronze after going up 4-0 in the first half, only to see that lead fall to 4-3 in the second, but outlasted the France rally to end 6-4. Truly off the wall stuff.

Now, it’s all down to Spain and Argentina. Will La Roja continue to robatically roll through one last opponent between them and a second World Cup trophy in their first Final since 2010? Or can Argentina pull off one last out-of-nowhere victory and become only the third nation to ever win consecutive men’s World Cups?

Here at the domestic level, we’re still figuring out what to make of Atlanta United’s 1-0 loss on Friday up in Nashville in their return to the MLS season. Latte Lath benched, two hamstring injuries to Jay Fortune and Matt Edwards, a lack of finishing, and a late Shak Mohammed goal resulted in yet another loss for the Five Stripes. Stick with us as we prepare for Atlanta’s next trip to Charlotte on Wednesday.


Top Story

Atlanta United at Nashville SC: Player ratings form

Rate the players after Atlanta United’s 1-0 loss to Nashville SC.

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Also Today

Recap: Atlanta United lose Fortune to injury, fall to Nashville SC 1-0
Atlanta United lose to the Supporters’ Shield leaders, with Jay Fortune’s injury status in question after…

Atlanta United at Nashville SC: Shooting like a stormtrooper
-kicking and screaming, being dragged back into Major League Soccer- “CAN WE GO BACK TO THE WORLD CUP?!”

Jay Fortune leaves Atlanta United’s match against Nashville SC with apparent muscle injury
The Atlanta United midfielder was forced off early in his team’s match against Nashville SC.


Games to Watch

FIFA World Cup

  • Spain v Argentina, 3:00 PM ET

Three Takeaways: Nashville SC 1-0 Atlanta United

ICYMI: Three Takeaways from Sydney and Tyler immediately following Atlanta United’s 1-0 loss to Nashville SC.

Watch it here! →


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That’s your rundown for today. Enjoy it!

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