… as Spain face Argentina
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will conclude with a blockbuster final on Sunday as Spain take on defending champions Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal set to face each other for the first time at senior international level.
Spain and Argentina booked their places in the 2026 World Cup final after overcoming France and England respectively, setting up a meeting between two of world football’s most successful nations in the tournament’s showpiece match.
The final will also mark the first senior international meeting between Argentina captain Messi and Spain’s teenage sensation Yamal, adding another compelling storyline to one of the most anticipated World Cup finals in recent years.
A photograph that came full circle
Their meeting has attracted global attention because of a famous photograph taken when Yamal was an infant.
During a UNICEF charity calendar shoot organised by Diario Sport, Messi was photographed holding and bathing the future Spain forward.
The image resurfaced during Euro 2024 after Yamal’s father shared it on social media and has since become one of football’s most recognisable photographs.
Nearly two decades later, the pair will line up on opposite sides in a FIFA World Cup final.
Spain arrive in dominant form
Spain have been among the tournament’s most consistent teams.
After beginning their campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, Luis de la Fuente’s side responded by winning six consecutive matches.
La Roja defeated Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 before edging Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16. They then beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals before eliminating France 2-0 in the semi-finals to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup final.
Spain have conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, underlining the defensive solidity that has complemented their possession-based style of play.
Victory on Sunday would hand Spain a second FIFA World Cup title after their triumph in South Africa in 2010.
Argentina chase back-to-back world titles
Argentina’s route to the final has been far more demanding.
Lionel Scaloni’s side advanced through the group stage with victories over Algeria, Austria and Jordan before facing a series of difficult knockout fixtures.
The defending champions required extra time to eliminate Cape Verde in the Round of 32, repeated the feat against Egypt in the Round of 16 and again needed extra time to overcome Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Argentina eventually defeated England 2-1 in the semi-finals to reach a second consecutive World Cup final and move within one victory of retaining the title.
Having lifted the trophy in Qatar four years ago, Argentina are aiming to become back-to-back world champions with Messi seeking another major achievement in what is expected to be the final World Cup appearance of his career.
A final between two football giants
Sunday’s final brings together two teams that have been among the standout performers of the expanded 48-team tournament, which has featured 104 matches across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm local time (8:00 pm BST) at New York New Jersey Stadium, where either Spain will lift the World Cup for the second time or Argentina will successfully defend the title.
