The World Cup 2026 final stage is now set, with Spain and Argentina preparing to battle it out for football’s biggest prize when they meet at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday night.
Spain vs Argentina
Sunday 19 July, 20:00
New York New Jersey Stadium
Spain will head into the World Cup 2026 final for just the second-ever time, having only previously appeared in their 2010 triumph over the Netherlands, and they will be the favourites to secure the title for a second time.
Although they have not been the most exciting team to spectate during the tournament, Luis de la Fuente’s men have certainly been efficient about their business, particularly in the defensive department.
No team has conceded fewer than their one goal throughout the tournament – conceding against Belgium in the quarter-finals – while they have also become the first team in World Cup history to keep six clean sheets in a single tournament.
While the defence has been their strong point, Spain are still undeniably brilliant in attack, with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal frequently combining in technical attacks, with Mikel Merino frequently adding a clinical edge from the bench.
Alongside Rodri and either Fabian Ruiz or Pedri in midfield, Spain have been able to dominate possession and slowly pick their opposition apart, and that is expected once again when they take on Argentina.
The reigning World Cup champions have had to show plenty of resilience to reach this stage, including coming from behind in three of their four knockout matches to eventually secure their place in the final.
That has been Lionel Scaloni’s team’s biggest strength, putting in maximum effort and intensity until the final whistle, but that may come back to haunt them against a Spain side capable of tiring them out and picking them apart with their quick, incisive passing.
While Spain may look to exploit their defensive weaknesses, highlighted by conceding six goals during the knockout rounds, Argentina do have the superstar Lionel Messi to cause plenty of problems going the other way.
Messi is the top scorer at the World Cup with eight goals and has also registered four assists, and the Argentina captain will be desperate to lead his team to back-to-back World Cup victories in what could prove to be the final game for his country.
Team News
Pedro Porro is the only doubt for Spain due to a slight muscle issue, but the full-back, who has scored two goals at the World Cup, is still expected to be fully fit and available to start against Argentina.
Elsewhere, the remainder of the team that started the semi-final against France is likely to feature once again, with the only doubt being whether Ruiz or Pedri take the starting role next to Rodri in midfield.
Meanwhile, Argentina are anticipated to be without any injury worries and could name a similar side to the one that defeated England.
One change could see Giuliano Simeone replaced in the starting 11 by Rodrigo De Paul, who came off the bench to great effect in the semi-final against the Three Lions.
Spain Predicted XI: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Yamal, Olmo, Baena, Oyarzabal
Argentina Predicted XI: E Martinez, Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez
Bet9ja Tips
Spain are the stronger team on paper and have produced the more convincing performances on their route to the World Cup, particularly showing their quality at both ends in the semi-final win against France.
Given their formidable defensive record combined with their fantastic technical attack, we are backing De la Fuente’s side to control possession, limit Argentina to very few chances while creating several of their own.
With that in mind, we are backing the European champions to add another World Cup trophy to their cabinet. You can get odds for Spain to win of 2.37 at Bet9ja – 5KNZBHC.
Yamal may not have had the greatest World Cup in terms of goal contributions, scoring just one goal on Spain’s route to the final, but the young winger could have a starring role if Spain are to win the final.
The ageing Nicolas Tagliafico is naturally better offensively than in defence and was a clear weakness in Argentina’s defence in the eventual victory against England, and Yamal has the ability to exploit such vulnerabilities throughout the final, leading us to believe the winger will get the better of the full-back and find the back of the net in this game. You can get odds for Yamal to score of 3.50 at Bet9ja – 5KNZGY9.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Spain win: 2.37, Draw: 3.10, Argentina win: 3.60 – inside 90 minutes
