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It all comes down to this: Spain and Argentina will face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday in the most important match in the world. This is a clash between two elite national teams who both put in remarkable performances in their respective semi-final victories.
It pits the reigning European champion, undefeated in his last 14 matches in major tournaments (13 wins and one draw) against a team whose success is unprecedented, like the two-time defending champion of the Copa América and the reigning World Cup champion.
Here’s everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup final:
Spain vs. Argentina: How to Watch
Winning a major international tournament is extremely difficult, as it requires world-class talent, high-level training, no days off, and even a bit of luck. On Sunday, Argentina will attempt to win their fourth consecutive major tournament, which would be an unprecedented feat.
Of course, this feat was made possible thanks to Lionel Messi, widely considered the greatest player of all time.
What is striking about Messi’s career is that the bulk of his international success began at the age of 34 with the 2021 Copa América, when he was named the tournament’s best player, leading Argentina to its first title since 1993. Then he won the World Cup in 2022 at the age of 35, where he was again named the best player. Argentina repeated the Copa América title in 2024 in the United States despite Messi scoring just one goal and leaving the final injured.
Now playing at the 2026 World Cup, Messi has once again continued to dominate the tournament at the age of 39. He scored Argentina’s first five goals in the tournament and only three of the team’s 14 goals in the final five matches. What’s so impressive is that in the last five games he played his best because he elevated his teammates.
Against England, Messi took advantage of England’s defensive shift after the Three Lions took a 1-0 lead. He then contributed to Enzo Fernández’s 85th-minute equalizer and Lautaro Martinez’s injury-time winner. Messi instead helped balance the team’s attack and give it more versatility.
Argentina has an incredible amount of talent and Messi has helped make it all reach its full potential. Lionel Scaloni also makes this team play with a raw intensity and a desire to win that has not been matched. Argentina have been vulnerable at times in this tournament, such as being two goals behind Egypt late, or being 1-0 down to England in the 85th minute. But Argentina excelled when their backs were against the wall.
If there’s any team that can match Argentina’s intensity, it’s Spain. La Roja played a near-perfect match in their 2-0 victory over France in the semi-final. What makes Spain great is that all the players are deeply committed to the system put in place by coach Luis de la Fuente.
No team in this tournament can pass and move as well as Spain. Once Spain has possession, it is extremely difficult to win it back. Then, on the defensive side, Spain knows how to close spaces and force turnovers.
In Spain, everyone plays a role in their system, but Rodri is the glue that keeps the team going. Against France, Manchester City’s central midfielder made a world-class shift in terms of connecting the ball from midfield to attack. Then defensively, he forced France into turnovers. He also won a significant percentage of his duels to keep Spain in possession.
The Spanish attack is led by teenager Lamine Yamal and veteran striker Mikel Oyarzabal, who has spent his entire career at Real Sociedad, unlike top clubs where elite center forwards play. Oyarzabal has been a perfect center forward for the Spanish system, and he usually finds a way to score big goals. Yamal, on the other hand, is a teenage superstar from Barcelona who is on the verge of becoming the next global superstar. Of course, if the winger can now participate in the World Cup, he will embark on a path reserved only for the greatest players.
The architect of Spain’s rise was de la Fuente. The team was completely dedicated to their vision. During his tenure, Spain have won all seven of their matches at Euro 2024 and have now won six out of seven at this World Cup. The only blemish he has in a major tournament leading Spain is a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.
But de la Fuente has created a team that is extremely difficult to break down. In seven matches, La Roja has only conceded one goal. In the semi-final, world-class attackers Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé never looked dangerous. De la Fuente’s team is as prepared as any team this decade to contain Messi.
This game has no clear favorites. Just two great teams led by world stars. This will be an extremely competitive match and the winner will be a worthy champion.
Players to watch
Forward · Argentina
Everyone must watch Lionel Messi in this match because this could be the last chance to see the greatest player of all time play an important match for his country. He is looking to win his fourth consecutive major title for the Albiceleste and add to his record 21 career World Cup goals. At 39 years old, Messi continues to improve. With his two assists against England, he now has eight goals and two assists in this tournament. He became the first player to total more than 10 goals in consecutive World Cups after scoring seven and assisting on three goals in 2022.
Midfielder · Argentina
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández has a crucial assignment on Sunday. As a central midfielder, he will be tasked with going against the heart of the Spanish system in midfield, where Rodi and Fabian Ruiz usually dictate play on their terms. Fernandez had a great performance against England. Even beyond his goal, Fernandez was very effective in his passing where he made few errors, changed points of attack and regularly placed the ball in dangerous positions. He needs to be just as effective against Spain for Argentina to have a good chance.
The 19-year-old central defender could be the best central defender in the world after what he showed in this tournament. Already a regular starter for Barcelona, Cubarsí has been even more impressive with Spain as he is one of the main reasons why his side have conceded just one goal in their seven World Cup matches. Managing Argentina will require another big effort, but if he succeeds he will be widely considered a global superstar and the world’s most valuable player at his position.
Manchester City’s central midfielder is the engine of the Spanish system. He is a tireless worker who is so effective on both sides of the ball. It will present Argentina with the toughest test they have faced at this World Cup. If he can control the midfield and force Argentina to continue the match like France did, Spain has an excellent chance of winning. For La Roja, it starts with him.
