Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal can both make history in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, but they’re not the only ones whose legacies stand to benefit from the match — far from it.
Here is who has the most to gain — and lose — in the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Spain and Argentina on Sunday at New York New Jersrey Stadium, according to the “First Things First” crew:
8.
Nick Wright jumped straight into his list with Major League Soccer after 45 total active MLS players competed in the 2026 World Cup. Notably, two are competing in the final with Argentina’s Messi and Rodrio De Paul from Inter Miami FC.
“That’s the league Messi plays in,” Wright said. “You have a great opportunity, I think Major League Soccer is already one of the winners.”
Other talented MLS stars who competed in the 2026 World Cup included United States’ Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) and Canada’s Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City SC)
MLS’s 45 active players marked the highest World Cup representation for the league, surpassing 2022’s number of 36 active players.
7.
(Photo by Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Cape Verde’s tournament debut was one to remember. The Blue Sharks finished second in their group behind Spain, sent Argentina to extra time before their 3-2 loss in the round of 32, and stole the hearts of fans along the way.
Vozinha starred for Cape Verde, recording 18 saves across four games and recording two clean sheets. For Wright, the Blue Shark’s tournament run made them a big winner on his list.
“Cape Verde should get third place in this tournament. They were 90 minutes tied with Spain and 90 minutes tied with Argentina. They’re a huge winner,” Wright said.
6.
“Mbappé can win a Golden Boot this weekend. He’d be the first guy to win two of them,” Wright said of France’s captain. “He could also leave this tournament as the all-time leader in goals if he scores and Messi doesn’t.”
Although France was eliminated in the semifinals, Mbappé is still in contention for the Golden Boot award, awarded to the tournament’s top goalscorer.
France’s Kylian Mbappé made history for Les Bleus in their tournament run when he became the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer in the knockout stage with 10 goals across three World Cups.
5.
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
