Spain v Argentina prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 final

Spain and Argentina meet at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday evening for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, with kick-off at 20:00 BST. It is the match the tournament demanded: the reigning European champions against the reigning world champions, in the first World Cup final between two continental title-holders. La Roja arrive as the form team of the competition. Luis de la Fuente's side have conceded just one goal across seven games and beaten France 2-0 in the semi-final without breaking sweat. On the other side, Lionel Scaloni's Argentina have been noisier, winning all seven games while conceding seven, and Lionel Messi, at 39, has scored eight times to lead the Golden Boot standings.

Spain have been the story of this World Cup from a defensive standpoint. Six clean sheets from seven fixtures, an average of just 0.14 goals conceded per game, and an xG against figure of 0.31 per match paint a picture of a side that has barely been troubled. De la Fuente's 4-3-3 suffocated France, Portugal and Belgium in succession, with Rodri and Fabian Ruiz operating as an immovable midfield block. Lamine Yamal's ankle caused a moment of concern at training on Thursday, the 19-year-old was seen with a bandage on his left leg and did not take full part, but there are no major fears over his availability. Pedro Porro was similarly rested as a precaution following muscular fatigue picked up against France. Both are expected to start.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, De la Fuente said: "It will be a fantastic spectacle. They are two super teams, with many similarities. Each of us will try to dictate the game to our advantage, but both teams will play a match where talent prevails."

Argentina have been far less tidy at the back but impossible to stop going forward. Messi has eight goals and four assists in seven appearances, averaging a rating of 9.07 on the tournament. He needed a Julián Álvarez header and a late De Paul drive to see off England 2-1 in the semi-final, a match that generated plenty of controversy around Argentina's physical approach, and Scaloni will hope his side's greater experience of winning the thing counts on the night.

Scaloni told the Argentina FA's press conference that his side were "in good shape" ahead of the final, adding: "We need to play at our very best to try and win." Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes both featured from the start against England after overcoming cramps suffered in the quarter-final win over Switzerland, and both are expected to be available again. The more pressing concern for Argentina is not injury but fatigue: they have played 30 minutes of extra time across the knockout rounds, a physical toll that Spain have avoided entirely.

The central duel is clear. Spain want to control possession, they have averaged 63.9% across the tournament, press in compact lines and funnel Argentina away from the areas where Messi causes damage. Argentina want to absorb, transition quickly through Mac Allister and De Paul, and get Messi and Álvarez into the spaces behind Spain's high line. Whether Scaloni's 4-4-2 can disrupt Spain's rhythm as effectively as it has disrupted England and Switzerland will define the match.

Spain v Argentina kicks off at 20:00 BST on Sunday, 19 July. In the UK, the match is live on both BBC One (coverage from 19:00) and ITV1 (coverage from 18:45), with streams available via BBC iPlayer and ITVX respectively. In the United States, Fox Sports has the broadcast rights. In Australia, the final is live on SBS.