By Graham Ruthven
Final reckoning
After 103 matches (including the third-place playoff), the 2026 World Cup will be decided by a single match showdown between Argentina and Spain in what has the potential to be a spectacular conclusion to the tournament.
Argentina are just one win from successfully defending the title they won in Qatar with Lionel Messi just as influential as he was three-and-a-half years ago. Indeed, the 39-year-old has pushed La Albiceleste all the way to the final after inspiring Wednesday’s semi-final comeback against England.
Spain produced their best performance of the entire tournament by beating France, dominating and limiting Kylian Mbappé and co. in a way that barely looked possible ahead of the semi-final meeting in Dallas. The European champions will control a lot of Sunday’s match in New Jersey.
Messi will face the country where he spent the majority of his club career at Barcelona while Lamine Yamal will come up against the icon many consider him to be the natural heir to for the Catalans. Both players are critically important to their respective national teams.
There will be plenty to draw the eye in the first-ever meeting between the reigning European and South American champions in a World Cup final. Spain might be the strongest collective unit at the tournament, but Argentina already know what it takes to lift the biggest prize in international football.
Key players
World Cup finals are for big-name players and Sunday’s encounter will serve up plenty of them. In fact, the 2026 World Cup final will feature a Ballon d’Or winner on both sides with Rodri integral to Spain’s playing style and overall approach.
The Manchester City midfielder was at his best in the semi-final win over France, controlling the game in the centre of the pitch. Alongside Rodri, Spain also boast Fabián Ruiz as someone capable of playing forward into the final third.
Spain have conceded just once in seven matches with Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro key to the approach of the European champions, giving Luis de la Fuente some much-needed mobility in the wide areas.
Yamal, however, is the attacking difference-maker Spain will surely need to win their second World Cup. The Barcelona teenager has yet to find top form at this World Cup, but remains a critical figure.
It’s easy to pinpoint Messi as Argentina’s key player. Indeed, the 39-year-old is the tournament’s joint-top scorer (at the time time of writing) having notched eight goals in just seven appearances. Argentina’s entire approach is designed to get Messi into good positions.
Enzo Fernández gives Argentina a goal threat from central midfield while Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister are the pace-setters at the base of the midfield. Scaloni’s midfield unit provides protection and service to Messi.
Defensively, Cristian Romero generally produces his best football for Argentina with Lisandro Martínez an important part of how the defending world champions play out from the back. There will be quality over the pitch on Sunday.
Team news
De La Fuente has no significant injury concerns to handle ahead of Spain’s second-ever World Cup final with Yamal getting closer to full fitness after injury curtailed his 2025/26 campaign.
Argentina escaped any injuries and suspensions in the semi-final victory over England, meaning Lionel Scaloni will have a full squad to choose from for Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium.
Prediction
Spain have shown the kind of defensive fortitude that it takes to win major titles, and we have a feeling that the European champions will be too strong for Argentina to stage another one of their inspired comebacks. And remember, only two teams have ever won back-to-back tournaments (Italy in 1934 and ’38, and Brazil in ’58 and ’64): Spain 2-1 Argentina
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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