The stage is set for the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with only two teams left in the hunt for glory.
Throughout the tournament, 46 teams participated, among them co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, alongside traditional giants like Brazil and Germany, all of whom have been eliminated in the past month.
Now, only the defending world champions Argentina and the current European champions Spain remain, vying for victory in the final showdown in New Jersey on Sunday.
– Assessing every team that exited the World Cup
– Golden Boot leaderboard: Who will be the top scorer?
– The FIFA president’s extraordinary World Cup journey
How did we arrive at this point? Who have been the standout players? What unforgettable moments have occurred?
ESPN’s Mark Ogden provides an update on these questions, while Sam Tighe analyzes the key areas where the final could be decided. Our team of writers, who have closely followed the tournament, share their predictions for the victor, and we’ll provide the latest betting odds from DK Sports.
Spain vs. Argentina (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET | East Rutherford, New Jersey)
SPAIN
Path to the Final: The European champions have been somewhat under the radar throughout this tournament, beginning with a surprising 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. Despite this lackluster start, Spain has diligently progressed, with their first and only goal conceded during a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Belgium. They quashed any doubts regarding their potential with a commanding 2-0 semifinal win against France in Dallas, rivaling last year’s Euro 2024 champions.
Key Player: Mikel Oyarzabal has been the unsung hero for Spain, netting five goals throughout their World Cup campaign. His pivotal strike in the Euro 2024 final against England and his contributions in the knockout stages have propelled the team into the final. Though he may not possess the star quality of others, Spain would not have reached this point without his pivotal goals.
Memorable Moment: Pedro Porro secured victory with a goal in the 2-0 triumph over France, not just for its significance, but for the composure he displayed. As a defender, his confident finish illustrated Spain’s ability to impact from all areas of the team.
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ARGENTINA
Path to the Final: On paper, Argentina had a smooth journey to the final, not facing a top-15 FIFA-ranked team until their semifinal clash with England. However, their road has been anything but straightforward; Cape Verde took the match to extra time before losing 3-2 in the round of 32, and VAR decisions played a pivotal role in Egypt’s contentious exit in the round of 16, despite the scoreline ending 3-2 in Argentina’s favor. A hard-fought quarterfinal against Switzerland nearly went to penalties, but a red card for Swiss striker Breel Embolo turned the tide. Argentina’s semifinal encounter with England was just as dramatic, with the world champions coming back from a 1-0 deficit to score two late goals and secure their spot in the final.
Key Player: Lionel Messi, the ageless superstar, continues to be the focal point for Argentina. After leading Argentina to victory at Qatar 2022, doubts about his participation faded as he not only played but thrived. He enters the final tied with Kylian Mbappé with eight goals in the quest for the Golden Boot. While Messi is the cornerstone of the team, players like Lautaro Martínez and Enzo Fernández have also made significant contributions, each scoring crucial goals, including both players’ efforts in the victory over England.
Memorable Moment: For Argentina and Messi, moments of brilliance have defined their campaign, but Lautaro’s headed goal against England will be forever etched in the national memory. Winning a tense and emotional semifinal with a header from a Messi cross will be a highlight in Lautaro’s career and a cherished moment for Argentina. — Ogden
Key Match Factors
The essence of the World Cup is to unite diverse footballing styles and pit them against each other, making the clash between Spain and Argentina an apt conclusion for this tournament; it presents a fascinating contrast of poise versus intensity.
Spain garnered global attention with their authoritative performance against France in the semifinals, emerging victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, largely due to their midfield mastery by Fabián Ruiz and a standout performance from Rodri, which rendered the French attack ineffective.
On the other hand, Argentina excels at controlling the midfield and quickly linking up play to enable Messi’s creativity. They also strategically disrupt their opponents’ rhythm with tactical fouls. Can Spain maintain their composure against this relentless approach?
This truly is the pivotal question for the match. It’s not just about sustaining performance for 60 or 70 minutes but maintaining focus for the full 90. Argentina has a history of staging late-game surges, as seen in their outings against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England.
Remarkably, Messi and his teammates produce magic when under pressure as the clock runs down. This match promises excitement to the very end. — Tighe
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Predictions
Becherano: Argentina 2-1 Spain. Given how they’ve played throughout the tournament, it’s hard to envision Argentina not fighting their way to the trophy. They’ve discovered ways to secure wins, proving that success doesn’t always rely on excellent performance. The game may not be a showcase of beautiful football from either side, but Argentina could pull off a repeat as champions.
Carlisle: Spain 2-1 Argentina. While Argentina’s survival instincts are impressive, they have yet to face a team with Spain’s technical prowess. Spain is likely to control possession, much as they did against other opponents, earning them their second World Cup title.
Connelly: Spain 4-1 Argentina. Argentina’s late-game heroics could prove exhilarating, but either you knock them out decisively or you risk being ousted yourself. We’re optimistic about the former outcome, though the latter remains a strong possibility.
Dawson: Spain 3-1 Argentina. While Argentina’s knockout matches have featured high drama, Spain’s stability will allow them to take an early lead and withstand Argentina’s late-game efforts to secure victory.
Hamilton: Argentina 1-3 Spain. Spain will avoid the mistakes made by England, aiming to score and then secure another goal, much as they did against France. Argentina will have chances, but this final is Spain’s to claim; their control in significant matches combined with their excellent form gives them the edge. While Argentina has managed miraculous escapes, this may be a task too great.
Olley: Spain 2-0 Argentina. Spain seems to be hitting their stride at the right moment, blending camaraderie and poise to best an Argentine side that has perhaps enjoyed some fortune throughout their journey.
Ogden: Spain 3-1 Argentina. My past predictions during the knockout stage have been off, and I need to redeem myself with this final pick — I’m backing Spain. Although Argentina has Messi and a passionate fan base at MetLife Stadium, Spain’s finesse with the ball and their depth of quality can prevail. They’re also capable of adapting to physical play, as displayed against France.
Lindop: Spain 2-1 Argentina. Both teams share a history of recent successes, but Spain’s superior quality should see them through. Argentina has faced some luck at times, and I predict that Spain’s disciplined possession-oriented approach will overwhelm the reigning champions.
Marcotti: Spain 2-1 Argentina. Aware of Messi’s capabilities to defy expectations, I still believe that if Spain maintains their possession as effectively as they did against France, it will be challenging for Argentina to create scoring opportunities as they struggle against De la Fuente’s tactics.
Betting Odds (via DK Sports, accurate as of publication)
Spain: +115
Argentina: +285
The odds for a draw after 90 minutes stand at +200.