Is FIFA copying everything from the NFL? A two-day World Cup draw like the NFL Draft. Hydration breaks. Celebrities constantly shown on the stadium videoboards. Championship rings. A halftime show. And now… a Super Bowl-style Media Day.
Media Day
On Friday, July 17, the Fanatics Festival will host the Media Day for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, an event designed to mirror the NFL’s traditional Super Bowl Opening Night and one that will bring together hundreds of media outlets from around the globe.
Both Spain and Argentina will open the doors to their preparations, sharing the stage with reporters, photographers and television crews in a day built to connect the finalists with the media ahead of the biggest match of the tournament. Players, coaches and members of both delegations will conduct interviews simultaneously while live broadcasts, social media content and fan-focused activities take place throughout the festival.
Unlike a traditional press conference, the Media Day is designed to be far more interactive. Players rotate through different media stations, answering questions from journalists representing outlets across the world. For many reporters, it will be the final opportunity to secure exclusive interviews before Sunday’s World Cup Final.
It will also mark Argentina’s first official media availability since arriving in New York and one of the most anticipated events of the week, officially beginning the countdown to the showdown between Spain and La Albiceleste at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Spain, meanwhile, hit the pitch to train in front of the media on Thursday at Melanie Lane Grounds. Luis de la Fuente’s squad enters the final with one extra day of rest compared to Argentina, which only booked its place in the championship match on Wednesday after defeating England in the semifinals.
Lionel Scaloni’s side is one victory away from defending its World Cup crown and lifting a fourth star. Spain is chasing just the second world title in its history, its first since triumphing in South Africa in 2010.
The Fanatics Festival
Hosted at New York City’s Javits Center, the Fanatics Festival is a four day event coinciding with the World Cup final. It stared today, July 16, and will run through Sunday July 19th.
In addition to the Media Day, the event features collectibles, gaming, live entertainment, athlete appearances, immersive experiences, and fan activations. Athletes scheduled to appear include some of the biggest names in sports: LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, Novak Djokovic, Tom Brady, Vozinha, Folarin Balogun, David Beckham, Joe Burrow, Serena Williams, Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter, Alex Morgan, and more.
It is still unknown which sports stars will be present at Friday’s Fanatics event, or even what the exact distribution of appearances will be.
Come and Watch (for a fee)
Even the traditionally closed media events will be open to the public. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has approved the sale of tickets for fans to attend the official pre-match press conference ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain.The event, which will take place as part of the World Cup Final festivities, will give supporters the opportunity to watch both finalists address the media before the biggest match in international soccer.
Ticket prices have been set at $80 for adults and $35 for children.
Fans looking for an even more exclusive experience will also have the option to purchase a photo opportunity with football legends invited to the event. That experience comes at an additional cost of $170.
The initiative is another example of FIFA’s effort to turn the World Cup Final into a week-long spectacle, giving supporters unprecedented access to marquee events traditionally reserved for media and tournament stakeholders.
