Spain and Argentina are poised to meet in the 2026 men's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, concluding a 39-day tournament that has delivered heartbreak, joy, and controversy.
This marks the culmination of the largest FIFA World Cup in history, featuring 48 competing nations. Spain is vying for its second World Cup title, while Argentina aims to secure back-to-back championships.
Spain entered the tournament as a favorite, currently riding a 37-game unbeaten streak. Argentina has won three consecutive international tournaments going into this World Cup, with Lionel Messi being the heartbeat of the team.
Spain, known as La Roja, has lifted the World Cup trophy only once before, on July 11, 2010, in Johannesburg, South Africa, defeating the Netherlands 1-0. Notably, Spain is one of only two teams, alongside Argentina, to have lost their opening World Cup match and gone on to win the title. They were also the first European nation to win a World Cup staged outside of Europe.
The current Spanish squad represents a new generation, with key figures like Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, and Iker Casillas having transitioned out. Coach Luis de la Fuente has integrated younger talent, including 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi and 21-year-old Dean Huijsen, whom de la Fuente previously coached at the U-19 and U-21 levels.
Nineteen-year-old Lamine Yamal has emerged as a standout player for Spain, having been instrumental in their 2024 Euro title victory. Fifteen members of Spain's World Cup squad were also part of that Euro-winning team. Yamal expressed his excitement, stating, "I think that I have very high expectations… I see that the country is excited. I am very excited…. I feel good. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm going to enjoy it a lot."
Spain enters the final on a remarkable 37-match unbeaten run in regulation time, matching Italy's all-time world record. Their defense has been exceptionally strong throughout the tournament, conceding only one goal in seven matches, that being against Belgium in the quarterfinals. Goalkeeper Unai Simón has maintained a clean sheet for a record 650 minutes, the longest scoreless streak in the tournament's history.
Mikel Oyarzabal, 29, is another key player for Spain, having scored five goals in the World Cup, equaling David Villa's record for the most goals by a Spaniard in a single tournament. Oyarzabal and Yamal are closely matched in their attempts on goal, with 22 and 23 respectively.
Argentina, the defending champions, are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles. Italy also achieved this feat in 1934 and 1938.
Led by Lionel Messi, Argentina secured their third World Cup title by defeating France in the Qatar final, ending a 36-year drought. Messi has further solidified his legacy during this tournament, becoming the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 21 goals across six tournaments. At 39 years old, he is currently tied with Kylian Mbappé for the tournament's leading scorer with eight goals and has the most attempts on goal with 34.
Messi also holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup appearances with 32 matches, making him one of only two players, alongside Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, to have played in six World Cups.
Enzo Fernández, who was 21 in 2022, became the youngest Argentinian to score for the national team at a World Cup since Messi. In the semifinal against England, Fernández scored a crucial equalizer assisted by Messi.
Coach Lionel Scaloni has introduced new talent to support Messi and bolster the defense, including Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, while leaving out nine players from the 2022 winning squad. Martinez scored the winning goal in the semifinal against England with a header from a Messi pass, securing Argentina's place in their seventh World Cup final.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, the reigning Golden Glove winner, is recognized as one of the world's top keepers, known for his psychological tactics. He is also the only goalkeeper to have won the Best FIFA Goalkeeper award twice, in 2022 and 2024.
