Good morning and welcome to World Cup final day. POLITICO’s live blog will be humming from now through the final whistle in New Jersey this afternoon.
Let’s start here …
POLITICO polled the great and the good of the Brussels bubble to hear which team they think will win the World Cup final on Sunday. And there’s not much love for Argentina.
Glenn Micallef, European commissioner for sport: 2-0 Spain.
Magnus Brunner, European commissioner for internal affairs and migration: “Both [teams] almost lost to Austria (just kidding), but the strong historical Austria-Spain connection compels me to say 2-1 for Spain. And because I hope an EU country wins!”
Paula Pinho, European Commission chief spokesperson: “1-1 in regulation time, and Spain wins on penalties.”
Jüri Laas, spokesperson for European Parliament President Roberta Metsola: “Hoping for positive and entertaining football. Probably a close game. Europe wins. Spain 2, Argentina 1.”
Marcos Alonso Alonso, Spanish ambassador to the EU: “We’re sure that La Roja will bring joy to Europe.”
Fernando Iglesias, Argentina’s ambassador to the EU: “May the final be the best, and may the best win the final (I mean: Messi).”
Thomas Regnier, European Commission spokesperson and former professional footballer: “Spain wins 2-1. Messi scores his last World Cup goal from the spot.”
Pieter Jan Kleiweg de Zwaan, Dutch ambassador to the EU: “It has to be Spain. 2-0. Argentina has been so lucky and it has to be a European country.”
Roxana Mînzatu, executive vice president of the European Commission: “Looking forward to the Messi-Yamal duel and expecting an exciting match. Too close to call.”
Christophe Hansen, European commissioner for agriculture: “Spain will be the first country in history to win the World Cup only conceding a single goal on the way. 2-0.”
Ignazio Cocchiere, European Commission official and former professional footballer: “I say 2-1 Spain. The UEFA European champions against the Copa America and World Cup holders, you can’t ask for a better final. Spanish captain Rodri to be player of the match.”
Edouard Philippe, former French PM, mayor of Le Havre and presidential candidate: “3-1 pour l’Espagne.”
Carrie Budoff Brown, POLITICO Europe’s executive editor: “3-2 to Argentina. Messi pulls it out.”
