Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final

The journey to the finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has certainly been eventful, marked by two contrasting semi-finals.

In a surprising twist, Spain defeated the tournament favorites, France, with an impressive 2-0 scoreline.

Meanwhile, on the following day, Argentina found themselves on the edge of defeat against England. But thanks to Lionel Messi, who worked his magic in stoppage time, they secured a remarkable 2-1 comeback, earning a spot in the finals once again.

As we approach Sunday’s final in New Jersey, there’s a unique vibe in the air.

Gone are the old rivalries and burdens of political tensions.

No modern conflicts mark the relationship between these two teams. Instead, Spain and Argentina have cultivated a refreshing mutual respect.

They also have a shared language and a football philosophy that emphasizes technical skill, along with a history filled with players who’ve both played in the same leagues and cities.

Sunday’s final is shaping up to be more of a familial reunion than a typical match, as both sides compete for the Jules Rimet Trophy.

The two teams have faced each other 14 times, each boasting six wins and two draws.

Interestingly, over the last sixty years, their records are perfectly balanced with three wins and three losses each.

The only World Cup encounter happened back on July 13, 1966, in Birmingham, where Argentina topped Spain 2-1 in the group stage, allowing them to move forward in the tournament.

The last meeting of these two teams took place in March 2018, when Spain outplayed Argentina, winning decisively with a score of 6-1, and Messi was sidelined due to injury.

At that time, Lionel Scaloni was an assistant coach under Jorge Sampaoli in Argentina, while Julen Lopetegui managed the Spanish squad until a surprising resignation shifted the narrative before the World Cup.

Now, eight years later, Scaloni faces not just the country he resides in, but also the coach he looks up to, Luis de la Fuente.

“Spain is an excellent team,” Scaloni remarked. “They deserved their semi-final win against France, who are tough to beat. Everyone is aware of their style. We’ll prepare accordingly and hope the fans enjoy the game.”

De la Fuente expressed enthusiasm about going up against his old friend, sharing, “European soccer differs greatly from South American soccer. I’m really excited to play against Argentina, who were considered one of the big favorites before the World Cup. This will be a showdown between two strong teams.”

No player illustrates the connection between Spain and Argentina better than Messi.

Having moved to Barcelona’s renowned academy at 13, he spent 21 years with the club, earning a special place in many hearts. There were even attempts to encourage him to play for Spain instead of Argentina.

Diego Simeone followed a similar trajectory, making his mark at Sevilla and Atletico Madrid before becoming the iconic coach at Atletico, while his son Gilano now plays in Spain under Argentina’s flag.

A number of Argentine players have thrived in Spain’s La Liga, further intertwining these football cultures.

Moreover, Spanish players grew up idolizing Messi. This match will also be especially significant, marking the first international encounter between Messi and the rising Spanish star Lamine Yamal, a 19-year-old seen as Messi’s potential successor at Barcelona.

“It’s set to be a very special match,” Messi reflected. “They’re a terrific team with incredible players. I know them well, having played against many of them during my time at Barça, and some are still with the club. This final has a unique significance.”