Spain vs Argentina.After a month of extraordinary football, the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final arrives. Spain — with just two goals conceded in eight matches — face defending champions Argentina at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on Sunday, 19 July 2026 (19:00 UTC / 22:00 EAT ). Messi has 8 goals and a record 12 World Cup assists. Our prediction: Spain to win or draw (1X). Full preview and markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Final |
| Date & kick-off | Sunday, 19 July 2026 at 19:00 UTC / 22:00 EAT |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA |
| How they got here | Spain: beat France 2-0 in the SF (Oyarzabal, Porro). Argentina: beat England 2-1 in the SF (Enzo Fernández 85’, Lautaro 90+’; both assisted by Messi). |
| Historic significance | Spain seek a second World Cup title (first was 2010 in South Africa). Argentina seek back-to-back titles — first nation to achieve this since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. |
| Format | 90 minutes. If level: 30 minutes extra time, then penalties. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
The best defence vs the best attack
The 2026 World Cup Final pits the tournament’s most miserly defence against its most prolific attack. Spain have conceded just two goals in eight matches — and Unai Simón is on course to win the Golden Glove award after six clean sheets. Luis de la Fuente’s European champions beat France 2-0 in the semi-final through goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, their eighth successive win. Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte have been outstanding in central defence. Rodri controls the midfield tempo from deep alongside Fabián Ruiz, who starts in place of Pedri — a notable selection change. Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 during the tournament, and Alex Baena provide the attacking width behind Oyarzabal.
Argentina, meanwhile, have scored a tournament-record 19 goals across eight matches and are on a 14-match winning streak. Lionel Scaloni’s side came from behind once again to beat England 2-1 in the semi-final, with Enzo Fernández scoring in the 85th minute before substitute Lautaro Martínez headed the winner deep in stoppage time. Both goals were assisted by Lionel Messi, who now holds the all-time World Cup assists record with 12 — alongside his eight tournament goals and 21 career World Cup goals.
Lautaro is pushing for a start here after his decisive impact from the bench, with Giuliano Simeone likely to make way. Julián Álvarez operates on the left flank, with Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández in the midfield alongside De Paul. Emiliano Martínez starts in goal despite managing just two clean sheets — but his penalty shootout record (he saved three in the 2022 final) makes him a formidable last line of defence.
Argentina are seeking back-to-back World Cup titles — something no nation has achieved since Brazil’s back-to-back in 1958 and 1962. The weight of history is on both sides of this final.
Team news and expected line-ups
Spain: Unchanged apart from Fabián Ruiz replacing Pedri in midfield. No injury concerns. Yamal and Oyarzabal lead. Simón in goal (6 clean sheets).
Argentina: Lautaro pushing for start (Simeone likely drops). Messi leads (8 goals, 12 assists). Álvarez on left flank. Enzo and Mac Allister in midfield. Confirm XI from official team sheet.
| Spain (4-3-3) | Argentina (4-3-3) |
| Unai Simón (GK) | E. Martínez (GK) |
| Porro (RB) | Montiel (RB) |
| Cubarsí (CB) | Romero (CB) |
| Laporte (CB) | L. Martínez (CB) |
| Cucurella (LB) | Tagliafico (LB) |
| Rodri (DM) | De Paul (DM) |
| Fabián Ruiz (CM) | Enzo Fernández (CM) |
| Yamal (RW) | Mac Allister (CM) |
| Olmo (AM) | Lautaro / Álvarez (RW) |
| Baena (LW) | Messi (AM) |
| Oyarzabal (ST) | Álvarez / Lautaro (ST) |
Key stats
- Spain: beat France 2-0 in SF (Oyarzabal and Porro). W8 in all 8 WC matches.
- Spain: 2 goals conceded in 8 tournament matches. Unai Simón: 6 clean sheets. On course for Golden Glove.
- Spain: seek their second World Cup title (first: 2010, South Africa, 1-0 vs Netherlands).
- Fabián Ruiz: starts in midfield ahead of Pedri. Confirm from official team sheet.
- Lamine Yamal: turned 19 during the tournament. One of the tournament’s defining performers.
- Spain form: W W W W W W W W — eight from eight.
- Argentina: beat England 2-1 in SF (Enzo 85’, Lautaro 90+’; both Messi assists).
- Argentina: 19 tournament goals — a World Cup record for any edition.
- Argentina: 14-match winning streak. Last defeat: Ecuador, September 2025.
- Lionel Messi: 8 tournament goals. 21 career World Cup goals (all-time record). 12 all-time WC assists (new record).
- Emiliano Martínez: penalty shootout specialist. Saved three in the 2022 World Cup final shootout.
- Argentina seek back-to-back World Cup titles — first since Brazil 1958 and 1962.
- Argentina form: W W W W W W W W — eight from eight.
- H2H: Spain W3 Argentina W2 from last 5 meetings. Most recent: Spain 6-1 Argentina (March 2018, Isco hat-trick).
- No draw has ever occurred in a Spain vs Argentina meeting.
Head-to-head
Spain hold the advantage in the recent head-to-head, winning three of the last five meetings. Their most memorable recent encounter was a stunning 6-1 demolition of Argentina in a March 2018 international, inspired by an Isco hat-trick. No meeting between Spain and Argentina has ever ended in a draw — every match has produced a winner.
| Date | Result |
| 27 March 2018 | Spain 6–1 Argentina (Isco hat-trick) |
| 11 October 2010 | Argentina 4–1 Spain |
| 14 November 2009 | Spain 2–1 Argentina |
| 11 October 2006 | Spain 2–1 Argentina |
| 17 November 1999 | Spain 0–2 Argentina |
Current form
| Team | Tournament record |
| Spain | W W W W W W W W — 2 conceded in 8 matches; 6 clean sheets |
| Argentina | W W W W W W W W — 19 goals in 8 matches; 14-match winning run |
Our prediction
This final matches the tournament’s two contrasting identities: Spain’s impenetrable structure vs Argentina’s irresistible attacking flow. The key tactical question is whether Messi, Álvarez, Enzo and the Argentina attack can unlock a defence that has conceded just twice in eight matches.
Spain’s experience in high-pressure finals, their defensive record, and the individual quality of Yamal, Oyarzabal and Rodri makes them the analytical favourites heading into the match. Argentina’s late-game comebacks against Egypt, England and Switzerland have shown their character under pressure, but Emiliano Martínez in goal and their 14-match unbeaten run provide a platform to believe.
Spain’s superior defensive record and the head-to-head trend — with no draw ever in any Spain vs Argentina meeting — supports the 1X position. A Spain win is the analytical favourite, but Argentina’s quality makes a 90-minute draw entirely plausible.
Our prediction: Spain to win or draw
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 2200hrs UTC on 19/07/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Spain vs Argentina Final event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the 2026 World Cup Final kick off?
Kick-off is at 19:00 UTC / 22:00 EAT (Sunday, 19 July 2026) on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
Who has the most assists in World Cup history?
Lionel Messi set a new all-time World Cup assists record at this tournament with 12 assists. He already holds the record for most World Cup goals with 21 career goals across six tournaments.
Has Spain ever won the World Cup before?
Yes, once. Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final through Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time goal. That remains their only World Cup title.
Would Argentina winning be a historic achievement?
Yes. Back-to-back World Cup titles would make Argentina the first nation to defend the trophy since Brazil won consecutively in 1958 and 1962. It would also be a record fourth World Cup title for Argentina overall.
Have Spain and Argentina ever drawn?
No. Every meeting between Spain and Argentina has produced a winner. No draw has ever occurred in the history of this fixture, making the match particularly decisive.
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