Today marks the final day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the climax of this month-long tournament is just around the corner. The showdown between Spain and Argentina is set for this Sunday afternoon, and millions will be tuned in to witness which team will take home the title.
There’s certainly a level of excitement and tension surrounding both Spain and Argentina. For Lionel Messi, it seems this is likely his final World Cup appearance, while Spain eyes Lamine Yamal as a potential successor to Messi, not just for Barcelona but also for the national squad. So, what can we expect as the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals kick off?
Mark Schofield: The tournament has seen its fair share of superstars. Erling Haaland has won over American fans with his unique mix of charisma and skill. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé continues to set records with impressive performances, and Jude Bellingham’s outstanding play has propelled England deep into the knockout stages. And then there’s Messi—he’s just Messi.
However, Spain, despite having talented players, has really stood out as a cohesive unit. It’s not merely about individual talent; it’s how they’ve come together as a team that’s made them a force.
While Lamine Yamal is certainly a newcomer to watch, let’s not forget Mikel Oyarzabal—the Real Sociedad forward who leads Spain in goals. Their buildup play has consistently been excellent, a hallmark of Spanish football, but it was particularly notable during their second goal against France, which was a sheer delight following a brilliant touch from Dani Olmo.
Interestingly, they are yet to concede a goal throughout the tournament.
As it stands, Messi and Argentina seem on a clear path to another title. After strong matches against Egypt and England, one might think they have it in the bag, despite not having played a perfect game yet. However, going up against Spain will be a different challenge altogether.
Consider Luis de la Fuente, the coach for Spain, who has only faced two defeats in his tenure—one was a penalty shootout loss to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.
The other? A friendly loss to Colombia.
James Deiter: There’s always a strong emotional aspect when discussing a match like this, but I need to set aside the romantic notion of Argentina for a moment and be pragmatic. The fact is, Spain has been playing at a level that feels significantly higher than the competition.
If we were to go back to mid-June and suggest that Lamine Yamal wouldn’t play a substantial role, most people would have assumed Spain would be out by the round of 16 or quarter-finals. Instead, La Roja delivered an extraordinary performance that left everyone dumbfounded.
Just take a look at what happened to France in the semi-finals—they were gushing with talent but found themselves completely thwarted by the Spanish defense. It wasn’t that France collapsed; rather, Spain constructed a defense that wouldn’t yield. The world-class players gave it their all, creating plenty of chances, yet managed only four shots on target. If even Mbappé and Dembele struggled, it makes one wonder how others might fare.
If Ramal gets a yellow card, the risks will shift dramatically. That could alter Spain’s strategy, potentially stunting their game plan as the minutes tick away. It’s worth pondering whether Argentina can exploit the flanks and capitalize on opportunities in the box, similar to the chances they had near the end of the match against England. This will be a whole new challenge, and I think Spain just might find a way to pull it off.
