Spain's pursuit of a second FIFA World Cup title collides with Argentina's bid to defend their crown as the two nations meet in Sunday's showpiece final.
The biggest game in world football has arrived as Spain take on Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Spain are aiming to lift the World Cup for the second time in their history after producing arguably the most consistent performances of the tournament, while Argentina are looking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup.
With stars including Lionel Messi, Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal all set to feature, the final promises to be a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable tournament.
What Time is the World Cup Final Tonight?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final takes place on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kick-off times:
- 8:00pm BST
- 3:00pm ET
- 9:00pm CEST
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the match will go to 30 minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if required.
Spain vs Argentina Odds to Win World Cup 2026
At the time of writing, Spain head into the final as slight favourites after an outstanding run through the knockout stages. According to latest odds, Spain are clear favourites to beat Argentina, with La Roja having around a 34% implied win probability to lift the trophy and Lionel Messi’s side priced at roughly a 28% chance of securing back-to-back World Cup titles.
Spain vs Argentina Predicted Lineups
Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, G. Simeone; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.
Spain vs Argentina Match Prediction
The final pits together two contrasting footballing philosophies. Spain have controlled games through possession, pressing and midfield dominance, while Argentina have shown remarkable resilience throughout the knockout stages, trusting Lionel Messi to produce decisive moments.
The battle between Rodri and Argentina's midfield could ultimately determine where the trophy ends up. If Spain dictate possession as they have throughout the tournament, they should create enough opportunities through Yamal and Oyarzabal to edge the contest.
Argentina, however, possess arguably the greatest big-game player in football history in Messi, meaning they can never be discounted regardless of how the match unfolds.
Prediction: Spain 2-1 Argentina
Spain vs Argentina Route to the Final
Spain and Argentina have taken very different paths to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, but both have fully earned their place in New Jersey. Spain began the tournament with a goalless draw against Cape Verde before finding top gear, winning six consecutive matches to reach the final.
They defeated Uruguay to seal top spot in the group before overcoming Austria (Round of 16), Belgium (quarter-finals) and France (semi-finals), scoring freely while producing some of the tournament's most dominant displays. Luis de la Fuente's side have combined relentless pressing with complete control in possession, conceding very few clear-cut chances throughout the knockout stages.
Argentina's journey has been considerably more demanding. The reigning world champions negotiated a difficult group before edging past Egypt in a dramatic Round of 16 clash, recovering from two goals down after a red card changed the momentum. They then required extra time to overcome Cape Verde in the quarter-finals before defeating England in a fiercely contested semi-final to book a second successive World Cup final.
Lionel Scaloni's side have relied on their tournament experience and ability to deliver in decisive moments, with Lionel Messi once again inspiring Argentina when it has mattered most. While Spain have largely controlled opponents from start to finish, Argentina have repeatedly found ways to win under pressure, setting up a fascinating clash between the tournament's most dominant team and its defending champions.
