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Spain and Argentina set for World Cup final showdown in New York

The European side enters the match with a 37-game unbeaten streak, while Argentina seeks to secure back-to-back titles in the concluding fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Author
Adrian Cole
Political Correspondent
Published
Draft
Source: Al Jazeera Global News · original
Why is Argentina’s football team so white?
Tournament favourite Spain faces Argentina in Sunday’s decider

Spain and Argentina are scheduled to contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, 19 July 2026, in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. The match represents the culmination of the tournament, with Spain aiming to solidify their status as a global football power and Argentina pursuing a historic quadruple of international trophies for Lionel Messi.

Spain enters the final as the clear tournament favourite, riding a 37-match unbeaten streak. Their defensive structure has been formidable, having outscored opponents 13-1 throughout the competition. The European side has recorded six clean sheets and conceded just four goals since their World Cup qualifying campaign began last September.

Argentina, by contrast, has relied on offensive output, outscoring their opponents 19-7. However, they have yet to keep a clean sheet during the tournament. Analysts suggest the final will hinge on whether Spain can leverage their defensive solidity to neutralise Argentina’s late-game momentum and Messi’s creativity.

The final follows the third-place playoff, where England defeated France 6-4 to secure third place. Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal in the 90+8th minute of that match, which also marked Didier Deschamps’ final game as manager of the French national team.

Betting markets reflect Spain’s dominance, listing them as the favourite at -154 on FanDuel Sportsbook. The outcome in New York will determine whether the European side adds another major title to their collection or if Argentina achieves a historic double of World Cup victories.

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