After an intense month of World Cup matches, it’s time for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, between defending champion Argentina and European Champion Spain, scheduled for July 18. This is the first time Argentina and Spain will face each other in the World Cup final.
Spain will be keen to clinch their second World Cup trophy since 2010, while Argentina will be aiming to defend their title, becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups.
Argentina head into the final as the favourites, having remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. While they have often left it late to find the net, Lionel Scaloni’s side have consistently found a way back, with Lionel Messi leading the charge through crucial goals and assists. However, one can’t count Spain out as they have an impressive defence. La Roja head into the match with full confidence after knocking out World Cup favourites France.
Quick Match Details
- Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Stage: Final
- Date: July 19
- Kick-off Time: 3 p.m. EST / 8:00 p.m. BST / 12:30 IST
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Argentina vs Spain: Match Preview and Current Form
Argentina
Argentina have been unbeaten since September 2025, when they fell 1-0 to Ecuador in World Cup qualifying. Now they’re chasing history of their own. Having already won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, the defending champion could become the first nation ever to win four straight major tournaments. That would put them firmly in the conversation as one of the greatest international sides of all time.
Unlike Spain, Argentina haven’t quite mastered the defensive side of things this tournament. England’s Anthony Gordon scored early in a chaotic semifinal before Messi and company made a historic comeback. England kept pushing forward, and an Argentina comeback felt like just a matter of time. Sure enough, Messi assisted both Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez as Argentina booked their spot in a seventh World Cup final.
Scaloni’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in five straight games, but they’ve scored at least twice in every single match, racking up 19 goals total, the most Argentina have ever scored in one World Cup. Argentina would join Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 as only the third nation ever to successfully defend a men’s World Cup title.
Talking about the head-to-head, Argentina have actually lost three of their last four meetings with Spain this century, including a brutal 6-1 friendly defeat back in 2018.
World Cup Form: W-W-W-W-W-W
Spain
Spain’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal has been thrilling to watch with his dribbling, even though he managed to score one goal and an unofficial assist from winning a penalty. But honestly, it’s Luis de la Fuente’s defense that deserves more appreciation.
Spain had gone 649 minutes without conceding at the tournament before Charles De Ketelaere pulled one back for Belgium. Against France, Spain found a way to shut down a dangerous attack and came away with a 2-0 win in the semifinal, a result they fully deserved.
Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted a penalty before Pedro Porro, who’s in the conversation for player of the tournament, added a well-taken second goal. It was Spain living up to the favorites tag that Didier Deschamps gave them before kickoff.
With Michael Olise contained and Kylian Mbappe unable to find his usual spark, Spain held France to just 0.31 Expected Goals in the semifinal. That number happens to match the average of every other team Spain has faced at this World Cup so far.
After that shaky start against Cape Verde, the European champions didn’t turn back as they head into the match with six consecutive victories and kept six clean sheets, which is a new record for a single men’s World Cup. But even that impressive run is overshadowed by the bigger picture. Spain haven’t lost in 37 straight matches going back to a defeat against Colombia in March 2024. If they win on Sunday, they’ll break Italy’s Euro 2020 winning side’s record for the longest unbeaten streak in senior men’s football history.
World Cup Form: D-W-W-W-W-W
Argentina vs Spain: Team News and Injury Updates
Spain
Spain fans had a scare on Thursday when Lamine Yamal showed up with a bandage on his left leg and sat out full training with the rest of the squad. However, it’s not that serious, and his spot is confirmed in the starting XI. While, Porro is in a similar situation, as he felt muscle fatigue after the semi-final match against France and was also held out of Thursday’s session, but that was just a precaution, not a sign of a bigger problem.
Because of this, De la Fuente is likely to field the same starting XI for the final. That means Pedri stays on the bench again, with Fabian Ruiz and Rodri continuing their partnership in midfield.
Argentina
Talking about Lionel Messi’s side, Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes both dealt with cramping after the quarterfinal, but they recovered in time for the semi-final clash against England. So Scaloni now has all 26 players fully fit and ready for Sunday.
Scaloni might make a few changes in the starting XI after watching how things played out in the first half against England. Expect a couple of changes out wide. Giuliano Simeone picked up more fouls (5) than his combined shots, dribbles, and chances created (just 2) in the semifinal, which makes it likely that Rodrigo De Paul returns to the lineup. Gonzalo Montiel could also get the nod after Nahuel Molina had a rough time against Djed Spence and Anthony Gordon in the last match.
As for Lautaro Martinez, he’s probably staying on the bench again, with Julian Alvarez lining up alongside Messi. The Argentine superstar is still chasing the Golden Ball and Golden Boot, and hasn’t ruled out the idea of playing in the 2030 World Cup at 43 years old.
Argentina and Spain Probable starting XI
Argentina Probable starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
- Defender: Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico
- Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister
- Forward: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez
Spain Probable starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Unai Simón
- Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
- Midfielders: Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena
- Forward: Mikel Oyarzabal
Also Read: Argentina vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026: Top 5 Players To Watch In This Big Clash
