For the Love of the game!

Today is the day all football diehards have been waiting for: the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. When the starting whistle blows at 3pm at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, south Trinidad native Nicholas Mike will be among the crowd, holding his breath as his team, Argentina, vies for a second title against Spain.

“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to witness Lionel Messi, a player of his consistency, brilliance and longevity over the past two decades,” he told WE during a telephone interview from the US. “He’s been at the centre of some of the most unforgettable moments, both in stadiums where I’ve watched him live and on television. To be there if he creates one more piece of history would be truly special.”

The 42-year-old Presentation College past student will be one of an estimated 80,000-plus fans, most of whom paid a hefty sum to take in the live action. “It was definitely a significant investment,” Nicholas laughed. “Category one and Category two tickets were priced at a level where I didn’t want to commit that kind of money unless Argentina made the final. It wasn’t about doubting them, it was simply a substantial cost to watch a final involving a side I didn’t support.”

With that goal achieved on Wednesday following the 2-1 victory over England, there was no hesitation. This match would be Nicholas’s first-ever final experience, having previously attended the Kansas City quarterfinal on July 11, where Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time.

His biggest motivation to buy today’s ticket was, of course, the legend, Messi. “This will almost certainly be his final World Cup,” Nicholas said, noting that he has been fortunate enough to watch “La Pulga” play live for more than two decades, from Europe to, most memorably, Camp Nou. The opportunity to witness him potentially win a second time was something he couldn’t pass up. “Players like Messi come along once in a generation, and I wanted to be there to witness history.”

Nicholas’ love affair with football began so early that he vividly remembers watching Hristo Stoichkov light up the 1994 World Cup, igniting his support for FC Barcelona. Around that time, he also developed “a huge appreciation” for Johan Cruyff and his philosophy of football, which shaped Barcelona’s identity and the style of play.

“As I got older, that passion only grew. I’ve been drawn to La Liga ever since, following Barcelona and the UEFA Champions League while travelling whenever I had the opportunity to attend live. It’s been a privilege to see Messi on numerous occasions over the years. Football has given me some of my greatest memories, and this experience is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

For Trinis living in the US opting not to attend in the flesh, a big watch party is the order of the day. Williamsville native Anderson Homer, now based in North Carolina, is doing just that. “One of the guys who went to the Brazil game is hosting a big finals lime, so that’s how I will be watching,” he shares.

As a Brazil loyalist, he “doesn’t really have a dog in this fight,” but he’s willing to bet that Spain has the edge to win. “I like the way that they possess the football and make the game simple. But Argentina has proven they can prevail against all odds and they have Messi.”

While he won’t be at today’s final, he did attend the Haiti versus Brazil game in Philadelphia on June 19. “It was a fun experience,” he says. Initially, he was not going, but he didn’t want to break his streak of seeing Brazil play at a World Cup. He has attended the 2006 Germany, 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar instalments of the Games. “Some friends from my city went as well, so we limed before and after the game,” he says.

Like Nicholas, Anderson—a former Naparima Boys’ student—is an avid fan of the glorious game, having been born into a football family. His father and uncle both played competitive football, with his uncle representing the Trinidad and Tobago national team in the 70s. “I couldn’t escape it. My brother and I started playing when I was around five or six. My dad was a Brazil fan, so he would tell us stories about players, games and the history of the sport. That’s when my love for the game began.”

The final chapter of this 39-day epic journey is being written, concluding a tournament many are calling the best in recent memory—the longest in the record books due to its expansion to 48 teams. The atmosphere is set, and global fans are gearing up to tune in as players battle it out for the ultimate prize.

It’s game on!