When is the World Cup final and how can I watch it in Australia?

The 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France will be played on 19 December from 2am (AEDT). Here's how to watch it across the country.

1.12 billion people worldwide watched the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Russia between France and Croatia. Source: SIPA USA / Sports Press Photo/Sipa USA

Key Points

• France and Argentina will face off in the FIFA World Cup final at 2am Monday 19 December AEDT.
• It will be the 64th match of the tournament, which has involved 32 teams.
• The match will be played on Qatar's national day.

The final match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will start early on the morning of Monday 19 December (AEDT) at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.

The match will kick off at 2am (AEDT) and will see defending champions France attempt to retain their title against Argentina.

You can watch the final, along with every match of the tournament, live, free and exclusive on SBS.

Australia's east coast is eight hours ahead of Qatar, which will be hosting the final at 6pm local time on 18 December, the country's national day.

In the previous tournament, 1.12 billion people worldwide watched the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Russia between France and Croatia.

Football's diverse popularity across the globe makes the FIFA World Cup the most-watched event in the world. In 2014, FIFA reported that 1.01 billion people watched Germany defeat Argentina in the final in Brazil.

Where can I watch it?

Australia's knockout round of 16 clash against Argentina was played at live sites across the country, drawing huge crowds, as the Socceroos were defeated 2-1.

NSW is currently the only state to confirm similar sites will be set up for the semi-finals and finals. In Sydney, the upcoming matches will be shown on live screens at Tumbalong Park, in Darling Harbour.

In Melbourne, the Socceroos' clash against Argentina was played at Federation Square and on big screens at AAMI Park.

Queenslanders watched the match at King George Square and Queen Street Mall in Brisbane, while fans in Canberra headed to Civic Square.

The match was played at Telstra Plaza outside Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Northbridge Plaza in Perth and Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Hobart.

Who is the favourite to win?

Ahead of the final showdown, France is the slight favourite to win.

Powerhouse team Brazil - who have won the World Cup more times than any other country - were the favourites at the beginning of the tournament before being sensationally knocked out in the quarter-finals by Croatia.

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