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Spain face Argentina on Sunday 19 July 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium in the FIFA World Cup final. Read our Spain vs Argentina prediction, team news, likely lineups and betting tips.
| Bookie | Selection | Best Odds | Market | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Argentina to lift the trophy | 13/10 | Spain vs Argentina | Place Bet |
|
Spain 1-1 Argentina | 5/1 | Spain vs Argentina | Place Bet |
|
Under 3.5 Goals | 1/4 | Spain vs Argentina | Place Bet |
|
Both teams to score, under 3.5 goals, and Lionel Messi to have a shot on target | 5/2 | Spain vs Argentina | Place Bet |
Date of Tips: 16/07/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (14:35 16/07/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
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Spain face Argentina on Sunday 19 July 2026 in the FIFA World Cup final, with kick-off at 8pm BST at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Spain vs Argentina prediction talk does not get much bigger than this. Spain are trying to lift the trophy for the first time since their famous 2010 triumph, while Argentina stand one win away from becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup. You have the reigning European champions against the reigning world champions, Lamine Yamal against Lionel Messi, and two teams that have found very different ways to reach the biggest game in football. Spain have looked calm and controlled. Argentina have survived chaos and produced late magic. So, which style wins when everything is on the line?
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Date: Sunday 19 July 2026
Kick-off Time: 8pm BST
Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium
Spain Manager: Luis de la Fuente
Argentina Manager: Lionel Scaloni
Spain arrive in the final after producing one of their most complete performances of the tournament against France.
Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled the semi-final, defended with real discipline and took their chances when they arrived. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Lamine Yamal was brought down, before Pedro Porro doubled the lead with a clever finish in the second half.
Oyarzabal has become one of Spain’s most important players at this tournament. The Real Sociedad forward gives the team intelligent movement through the middle and remains their likely penalty taker when he starts.
Yamal will continue on the right. The Barcelona winger may still be a teenager, but there is nothing nervous about the way he plays. He wants the ball, attacks defenders and keeps creating moments in the biggest matches.
Spain also have a decision to make on the opposite flank. Álex Baena has started recently, but Nico Williams will be pushing hard for a place after appearing from the bench in the last two rounds. Williams gives Spain more speed and direct running, which could be useful against Argentina’s experienced defence.
Rodri and Fabián Ruiz are expected to continue in midfield after controlling the France game. Pedri has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent matches, while Mikel Merino remains a dangerous option after scoring decisive goals earlier in the knockout stages.
Spain’s defence has been outstanding throughout the tournament. Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte have formed a strong partnership in the middle, while Marc Cucurella and Porro offer energy from full-back. Dani Olmo, Yamal and Porro are among the main free-kick and corner options.
Argentina needed a remarkable late turnaround to reach the final.
Lionel Scaloni’s side trailed England until the 85th minute, when Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández fired a superb equaliser from distance. Lionel Messi then created the winner in stoppage time, delivering the cross that Lautaro Martínez headed past Jordan Pickford.
Messi did not score in the semi-final, but he still decided it. That has been the story of his career. Even when he cannot find a way through himself, he creates something for someone else.
The Inter Miami forward remains Argentina’s penalty taker and first choice for direct free kicks. His movement between midfield and attack will be one of Spain’s biggest concerns.
Scaloni must decide whether to start Julián Álvarez or reward Martínez for his match-winning contribution against England. Álvarez has usually partnered Messi, but Martínez has made a serious case for promotion.
Rodrigo De Paul could return to the midfield after making a positive impact from the bench in the semi-final. He may join Fernández, Leandro Paredes and Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in a compact four.
There could also be a change at right-back. Nahuel Molina struggled against England’s left side, so Gonzalo Montiel may come into the team. Montiel knows all about World Cup finals after converting Argentina’s winning penalty against France in Qatar.
Spain probable XI (4-2-3-1)
GK: Unai Simón
DF: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
MF: Rodri, Fabián Ruiz
AM: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams
FW: Mikel Oyarzabal
Baena could retain his place ahead of Williams, while Merino and Pedri give De la Fuente high-quality midfield options from the bench.
Argentina probable XI (4-4-2)
GK: Emiliano Martínez
DF: Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico
MF: Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister
FW: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez
Lautaro Martínez will be pushing to start after scoring the semi-final winner, although his impact from the bench may convince Scaloni to keep him in that role.
This is only Spain’s second World Cup final.
Their first came in South Africa in 2010, when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time goal against the Netherlands completed one of the greatest periods in Spanish football history. That side won two European Championships and a World Cup in the space of four years.
The current group now has the chance to build its own legacy. Spain won Euro 2024 and can complete another European Championship and World Cup double by beating Argentina.
Argentina are far more familiar with this stage. They have won the trophy three times and are now appearing in a second consecutive final. Winning again would place this team alongside the great Italian side of the 1930s and Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 champions.
The countries have a perfectly balanced overall head-to-head record, with six wins apiece and two draws. Recent meetings have been rare, though, so there is little direct history for either manager to use.
The tactical battle should centre on possession.
Spain will want to control the ball through Rodri, Fabián and Olmo. They will try to stretch Argentina with Yamal and Williams before creating space around the edge of the area.
Argentina may be happy to defend in a compact shape and let Spain have controlled possession away from dangerous areas. Romero and Lisandro Martínez will attack crosses aggressively, while Paredes and De Paul will try to disrupt Spain’s midfield rhythm.
Messi’s positioning could cause Spain a real problem. If he drops deep, Rodri must decide whether to follow him or protect the space in front of the defence. Follow Messi too far and Álvarez can run into the gap. Leave him alone and he can turn towards goal.
At the other end, Argentina must find a way to stop Yamal. Tagliafico will need help from Mac Allister or Paredes, because leaving the Barcelona winger one against one for 90 minutes feels risky.
Set pieces could also become important in a tight final. Anyone looking at that side of the match can find more tournament insight through our latest corners tips.
Spain have been the more controlled team throughout the tournament.
Their defence has rarely been opened up, and they limited France to very little in the semi-final. Argentina will have to work harder for chances than they did during the closing stages against England.
Argentina still have the greater experience of World Cup finals. Messi, Romero, Martínez, Mac Allister, De Paul and Fernández were all part of the team that won in Qatar.
The match could become tight for long periods. Spain should have more possession, but Argentina may create the more dangerous counter-attacking moments.
Oyarzabal and Messi are the likely penalty takers, while Yamal and Álvarez are two players capable of finding space if the game starts to open up.
This feels incredibly close.
Spain have probably played the better football across the tournament. Their defensive record is excellent, Rodri controls matches and Yamal gives them a threat that few defenders can handle.
Argentina have not always looked as convincing, but they refuse to disappear. They came from behind against Egypt and England, while Martínez and Fernández have delivered when Messi has needed support.
Finals are often decided by one moment. A mistake, a penalty, a set piece or a bit of quality from a player who has spent most of the game on the edge of it.
Spain may control the ball, but Argentina know how to live without it. Scaloni’s side have more experience of this exact occasion, and Messi has continued to find ways to influence matches even when he does not score.
It may take extra time, but Argentina could just find one more moment and retain the trophy.
Match Prediction: Argentina to lift the trophy. Bet with bet365.
The scorelines that stand out are:
Spain’s defensive strength makes a wide-open game unlikely, but Argentina have scored late goals throughout the knockout rounds.
Correct Score Prediction: Spain 1-1 Argentina after 90 minutes, with Argentina winning after extra time or penalties.
Correct Score Prediction: Spain 1-1 Argentina. Bet with bet365.
World Cup finals tend to be cautious, especially during the opening hour.
Spain will not want to leave space for Messi and Álvarez, while Argentina will try to prevent Yamal and Williams from attacking isolated defenders.
Over/Under Prediction: Under 3.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
If you are building a selection for the World Cup final, consider:
The match should be tight, but each team has enough attacking quality to find one goal. Messi will remain central to almost everything Argentina create.
Bet Builder Tip: Both teams to score, under 3.5 goals, and Lionel Messi to have a shot on target. Bet with bet365.
Key Stats
Spain beat France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final.
Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored Spain’s semi-final goals.
Spain are appearing in their first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 2010.
Argentina beat England 2-1 after scoring twice in the closing stages.
Enzo Fernández equalised before Lautaro Martínez scored Argentina’s stoppage-time winner.
Lionel Messi assisted both Argentina goals against England.
Argentina are attempting to win consecutive World Cups.
Only Italy and Brazil have previously retained the men’s World Cup.
Spain are the reigning European champions.
Argentina are the reigning world champions.
Spain and Argentina have each won six of their previous meetings, with two draws.
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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
Argentina may have a slight edge because of their experience and ability to produce decisive late moments, although Spain have arguably been the more consistent team.
Spain vs Argentina kicks off at 8pm BST on Sunday 19 July 2026.
Spain won their only World Cup title in 2010. Argentina have won the competition three times, most recently in 2022.
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