LIVE | FIFA World Cup 2026 final: Spain vs Argentina
· The South African
The curtain comes down on FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday, 19 July as Spain and Argentina meet in a blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time).
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It will be the first World Cup final to pit the reigning European champions against the reigning Copa América champions, with both nations chasing a place in football history.
READ | World Cup final: Kick-off times around the world
Spain’s defence has been the benchmark
Spain have been one of the standout teams of the tournament, conceding just one goal and never trailing in any of their seven matches.
Their 2-0 semi-final victory over France was their sixth clean sheet of the tournament – a World Cup record – and extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches in regulation time (27 wins, 10 draws).
After opening their campaign with an unexpected goalless draw against Cape Verde, Spain have responded with six consecutive victories, eliminating Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France on their route to the final.
Victory on Sunday would not only crown Spain world champions but also establish the longest unbeaten run by a European national team.
Argentina chasing back-to-back titles
Defending champions Argentina booked their place in a third World Cup final in four tournaments after coming from behind to beat England 2-1 in the semi-finals.
It was another dramatic knockout-stage performance from Lionel Scaloni’s side, who have either required extra time or produced late comebacks in each of their four knockout victories.
Argentina head into the final on a 14-match winning streak, equalling the longest ever by a South American nation.
Should they retain the trophy, they would become only the third country to win consecutive FIFA World Cups.
Head-to-head evenly balanced
Historically, there is little to separate the two footballing giants.
Spain and Argentina have each won six of their 14 previous meetings, with two matches ending in draws.
Argentina claimed the only previous World Cup meeting between the sides, winning 2-1 in 1966, although Spain recorded an emphatic 6-1 victory in their most recent encounter, a friendly played in 2018.
Players to watch
Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal heads into the final with five goals at the tournament after opening the scoring against France in the semi-finals.
For Argentina, Lautaro Martínez has made a major impact from the bench, contributing a goal involvement in each of his last three substitute appearances, including the winning goal in the 2024 Copa América final.
Neither side has reported any major injury concerns ahead of the showpiece.
What to expect
Spain’s disciplined defence meets an Argentina side that has developed a habit of producing late drama, setting the stage for a fascinating final between two of international football’s most successful nations.
With the World Cup trophy on the line, both teams have the opportunity to add another chapter to their rich footballing histories in what promises to be a fitting finale to the 2026 tournament.
Prediction
Argentina 2-1 Spain
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