Kathmandu, July 19: Defending champions Argentina will face Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, with the two football powerhouses battling for the biggest prize in international football.
Argentina are chasing a fourth FIFA World Cup title and a successful defence of the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022. A victory would make Lionel Scaloni’s side the first men’s team since Brazil (1958 and 1962) to win back-to-back World Cups. Italy remains the only other nation to have defended the title, achieving the feat in 1934 and 1938.
Captain Lionel Messi has once again inspired Argentina’s campaign. The 39-year-old has scored eight goals and provided four assists in seven matches, playing a decisive role in guiding La Albiceleste to another World Cup final.
Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semi-finals, providing two assists as his side secured a place in the title decider.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi is currently second in the Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists. France’s Kylian Mbappe moved to the top of the standings after scoring twice in France’s 6-4 victory over England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff. Mbappe now leads the race, while Messi will have one final opportunity to reclaim top spot when Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final.
Argentina have maintained a perfect record throughout the tournament. After comfortably progressing through the group stage, they overcame Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England in the knockout rounds to book their place in the final.
Spain, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the tournament’s most complete teams under head coach Luis de la Fuente. The 2010 world champions have conceded just one goal in seven matches, showcasing one of the strongest defensive records in the competition.
After opening their campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0 to top their group. They then cruised past Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32, edged Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16, defeated Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals and beat France 2-0 in the semi-finals to reach the final.
Forward Mikel Oyarzabal leads Spain’s scoring charts with five goals, while 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal has impressed throughout the tournament despite scoring just once.
The final will also mark the first-ever international meeting between Messi and Yamal, adding another fascinating storyline to an already highly anticipated contest. It also pits the reigning South American champions, Argentina, against the reigning European champions, Spain.
Head-to-head
Spain and Argentina have met 14 times across official competitions and friendlies. Both nations have won six matches each, while two encounters ended in draws.
The two sides have met only once at the FIFA World Cup, with Argentina claiming a 2-1 victory in the 1966 group stage.
Their most recent meeting came in a 2018 international friendly in Madrid, where Spain recorded a stunning 6-1 victory over Argentina, with Isco scoring a hat-trick.
After eight years, the two football giants will renew their rivalry on the biggest stage of all, with the FIFA World Cup trophy at stake.
