On Sunday, July 19, Spain faces Argentina at MetLife Stadium in the 2026 World Cup final, the first all-Spanish-speaking final since 1930. Spain beat France 2-0 in the semifinal; Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1. In New York, the real match started days ago, and it’s being played at the table.
In Soho, the Spanish grocery and restaurant Despaña is throwing its Spain watch party: five tapas and a beer for 35 dollars, communal tables, a big screen, and standing room for latecomers. A few subway stops away, Park Slope’s Raíces Argentinas Steakhouse is countering with grilled meats and cold beer for fans hoping to see the Albiceleste defend the title they won in 2022. In Elmhurst, Queens, Boca Juniors restaurant is leaning on handmade empanadas to pull in the neighborhood’s Argentine community. Both sides are also competing with bigger draws: Central Park’s Great Lawn, where the city expects up to 50,000 fans, and American Dream’s Dream Fan Fest, right across from the stadium.
The rivalry spills past restaurant counters. Viral videos this week show Argentine-Spanish couples declaring a truce until Sunday night, or trying to talk their kids into picking a side. Even professional kitchens are in on it: chef Marcus Samuelsson released one recipe per country, so fans can cook in their team’s colors before kickoff.
Tapas versus asado, Iberian ham versus empanadas. Whatever the score says on Sunday, New York will already have crowned its own winners at the table.