STORY: Spain fans came out in force to show their colours in the streets of New York on Saturday (July 18) as they prepare to cheer their side on against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final.

Fans waved flags, cheered and sang songs in a preview of the energy they said they plan to take to New York New Jersey Stadium for the final, which is slated for a 3:00 pm (1900GMT) kick-off time in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday (July 19).

Fans gathered under New York's High Line to take cover from the rain, but the wet weather was no damper on the electric energy felt down below.

Spain will be going for their second World Cup title, their first coming in South Africa in 2010.

Though they voiced optimism, the fans gathered in Manhattan said they understood Lionel Messi and Argentina are nothing to sneeze at as they hope to defend their 2022 title.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 18, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. SPAIN FANS SINGING AND DANCING AT GATHERING AHEAD OF WORLD CUP FINAL AGAINST ARGENTINA

2. SPAIN FAN SINGING

3. FANS JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND SINGING

4. VARIOUS OF FANS SINGING

5. FAN MAKING HEART WITH HANDS TO THE CAMERA

6. FAN TYING A FLAG AROUND

7. VARIOUS OF SPAIN FAN, CAROLINA NAVARRETE, VISITING FROM JAEN, SINGING AND DANCING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN FAN, CAROLINA NAVARRETE, ORIGINALLY FROM JAÉN, SAYING:

"I think they're going to be a tough opponent, but the match is going to be interesting. I think we are going to be nervous until the very last moment, but we are going to win, obviously we are going to win! Yes, yes."

9. SPAIN FAN, DAVID SANCHEZ, VISITING FROM SALAMANCA, AND SPAIN FAN, ANDRES GAGO, VISITING FROM BUENOS AIRES, BUT ORIGINALLY FROM MADRID, LEADING FANS IN A SONG

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN FAN, DAVID SANCHEZ, VISITING FROM SALAMANCA, SAYING:

"I think it's a super special day, a World Cup day, and we're all excited, honestly it's incredible."

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN FAN, ANDRÉS GAGO, ORIGINALLY FROM MADRID, NOW LIVING IN BUENOS AIRES, SAYING:

"Waiting for tomorrow, and with a lot of desire, honestly, with a lot of desire."

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN FAN, DAVID SANCHEZ, VISITING FROM SALAMANCA, SAYING:

"It's like the king abdicates, but the prince takes the throne now!"

11. SPAIN FANS CELEBRATING

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN FAN, EMILIO LOPEZ, VISITING FROM CANARY ISLANDS, SAYING:

"Yes, well, I think the Argentines, wherever they go, they bring a lot of people, and the Spaniards don't always bring a lot of people, but the few people we do bring cheer a whole lot. So, I think we're going to be able to handle the Argentines."

13. VARIOUS OF A BOY LIFTING A WORLD CUP TROPHY BALLOON INTO THE AIR

13. SPAIN FAN KNOWN AS THE GOKU ESPANOL, CELEBRATING TO THE CAMERA

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN FAN KNOWN AS THE GOKU ESPANOL, SAYING:

"Yes, I hope that what we are doing here today, cheering the way we are cheering, also translates to the pitch. And inside as well, let's have a match like it's supposed to be. Which I think we will; we are going to start very well, we are going to control the match, and of course, we are going to suffer like animals because Argentina is Argentina."

15. FANS DANCING WITH WORLD CUP TROPHY-SHAPED BALLOON