Hours before the 2026 World Cup final, controversial news is being released one after another. The English publication "Touchline" reported that members of the FIFA Technical Committee met on Friday and Lionel Messi will probably receive the Ballon d'Or, regardless of the final result, although this news has not yet been officially confirmed. Meanwhile, smoke from 893 forest fires in Canada has reduced New York's air quality to "very unhealthy" levels and threatens the final. In the classification match, Kylian Mbappe became the top scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals, and Ulisse broke Pele's record. FIFA will award the champion with diamond rings for the first time.
Publish dateSunday 19 July 2026 - 15:10
Story Code : 360930
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Sports Service: The 2026 World Cup is facing a lot of controversial news, record-breaking events and environmental crises on the eve of the historic final between Argentina and Spain. From the news of Messi's possible Ballon d'Or to the smoke from the Canadian fires that threatens the final, and from Mbappe and Ulisse's historic record-breaking performance to FIFA's tradition of awarding diamond rings, everyone has joined hands to make this final one of the most controversial finals in history.
Messi on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Ballon d'Or
Just hours before the 2026 World Cup final, the English publication "Touchline" reported that members of the FIFA Technical Committee have convened a meeting on Friday to decide on the individual awards of the cup. According to the report, it has been decided that regardless of what happens in the final, Lionel Messi will receive the Ballon d'Or (the best player of the tournament).
This news has not yet been officially confirmed by FIFA and the only source of it is the magazine "Touchline".
The 39-year-old Messi has scored 8 goals and recorded 4 assists in 7 games in this tournament. He is second in the list of top scorers after Kylian Mbappe (9 goals) and second in the list of top passers after Michael Ulisse (5 assists).
If this news is confirmed, Messi will receive the Ballon d'Or for the second time in the World Cup (he had previously received this award in the 2022 World Cup) and will become the second player in history to win this award twice.
Environmental crisis; Smoke from Canada's wildfires threatens finals
Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada has reached the United States, raising concerns about the 2026 World Cup final. There are currently 893 active wildfires in the country, with 210 of them "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Wildfire Centre (CIFFC).
Data from the IQAir website shows New York's air quality index has reached 208, a level considered "very unhealthy." Health Canada has also said air quality in some cities has reached hazardous levels.
MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final, is located in New Jersey, but is adjacent to New York City.
FIFA has not yet announced any plans to change the date of the match, but sources close to the matter insist that the possibility of postponing the final is low in the current situation and that FIFA hopes that the smoke will clear from the New Jersey area before Sunday's match.
Historic record-breaking match in the 2026 World Cup qualification match
The 3-2 win by England over France saw two historic records set.
Kylian Mbappe's two goals in the match took his World Cup goals tally to 22 and made him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. He also won the World Cup Golden Boot with nine goals.
Michael Ulisse also surpassed Pele's all-time record with five assists in the tournament (and a total of seven in the tournament).
Despite Mbappe's record-breaking performance, Lionel Messi has the chance to increase his tally to 8 goals in the final against Spain. If Messi scores twice, he will reach the record of 22 goals, and if he scores a hat-trick, he will set a new record.
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