The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its conclusion with Spain and Argentina meeting in the tournament’s 102nd and final fixture. The winners will leave with football’s biggest honour after a campaign that has brought together the world’s strongest national teams.

Argentina arrive as the reigning world champions after lifting the trophy in 2022 and now have the opportunity to defend their title successfully. Only Italy, with triumphs in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil, with consecutive victories in 1958 and 1962, have previously retained the World Cup.

Spain entered the contest carrying the status of European champions and are chasing a second world title after their success in 2010. The final also creates a unique occasion, as the current Copa América holders face the reigning UEFA European champions in a World Cup final for the first time.

Adding further significance, it is also the first World Cup meeting at any stage between the teams occupying the top two places in the FIFA World Rankings, with Argentina ranked first and Spain second.

👉   Serie A players called up for  🇦🇷    the Argentina National team:

• Inter forward Lautaro Martinez.
• Como forward Nico Paz.

Spain rely on consistency and defensive strength

Spain are preparing for only the second World Cup final in the nation’s history after winning the competition in 2010. Across all major tournaments, they have celebrated victory in five of their six finals, including four successes from five appearances in European Championship finals.

One of Spain’s biggest strengths throughout the competition has been their defensive control. Opponents have generated only 0.31 expected goals per match, the best figure recorded at this tournament and a mark matched only by Uruguay’s performance at the 1990 World Cup since records dating back to 1966.

That defensive dominance has produced six clean sheets, already the highest total achieved by any team during a single World Cup. Their overall consistency is reflected in an unbeaten sequence of 37 matches in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in March 2024.

If Spain avoids defeat in the final, they will establish the longest unbeaten run ever recorded by a European national side. Those numbers are among the reasons they are considered favourites by many, including the Opta supercomputer.

Last 5 Spain matches stats

Argentina pursue another place in history

Argentina will contest the seventh World Cup final in their history, with only Germany having appeared in more. Their previous record includes titles in 1978, 1986, and 2022, alongside runner-up finishes in 1930, 1990, and 2014.

Lionel Scaloni’s side have enjoyed a flawless campaign, winning each of their seven matches in the tournament. Victory in the final would make them the first nation since Brazil in 2002 to finish a World Cup with seven wins from seven games.

Their winning streak stretches even further beyond the competition. Argentina had already claimed seven consecutive victories before arriving at the finals, meaning success against Spain would produce a 15-match winning run and establish a new record for a South American national team.

Despite those perfect results, Argentina have shown moments of vulnerability during the tournament, leaving many observers believing they still face their toughest examination in the final.

Last 5 Argentina matches stats

Records, stars and rivalry add extra intrigue

Much of the attention is expected to centre on Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. If both are named in the starting line-up, they will become the first opposing starters in a World Cup final separated by more than two decades in age. Messi has completed a tournament-leading 25 dribbles, the highest total ever recorded by a player aged over 30 in a single World Cup, while Yamal’s 22 successful dribbles equal the best figure ever achieved by a teenager alongside Kylian Mbappé in 2018.

Messi is also set to make history by becoming only the second player to feature in three World Cup finals after Cafu. At 39 years and 25 days, he would additionally become the oldest outfield player to appear in the showpiece. Yamal, meanwhile, would become the third-youngest player ever to play in a World Cup final at 19 years and six days.

Rodri is another major figure to watch after completing 655 passes during the tournament, already the highest total recorded in a single World Cup edition. His performances have placed him among the contenders for the Golden Ball should Spain claim the title.

The nations have rarely met at the World Cup, with Argentina winning their only previous tournament encounter 2-1 in the 1966 group stage. Since the beginning of this century, Spain has won three of their four meetings with Argentina, while the latest clash between the sides ended in a 6-1 Spanish victory in a friendly played in March 2018.

Past H2H Results

Prediction and expected outcome

Spain and Argentina arrive in the World Cup final with outstanding records, making this one of the most evenly matched championship games in recent history. Argentina have won all seven of their matches in the tournament and are chasing back-to-back world titles, while Spain combines an exceptional unbeaten run with the tournament’s strongest defensive record, having conceded very few chances and kept six clean sheets. The battle between Lionel Messi’s experience and Lamine Yamal’s youthful brilliance could prove decisive, but Spain’s ability to dictate possession and control matches may give them a slight tactical advantage. Argentina, however, possess the confidence and resilience of reigning champions and have consistently found ways to win throughout the competition. The most likely outcome is a tense, tactical contest decided by fine margins, with extra time or even penalties remaining a realistic possibility.

Prediction: Spain 2-1 Argentina

Expected outcome: A closely contested final in which Spain’s defensive organisation and control of possession ultimately prove decisive against Argentina’s determined challenge. The margins between the teams are extremely small, making every moment significant, but Spain appear slightly better equipped to edge the contest and lift their second FIFA World Cup trophy.

The FIFA World Cup third-place play-off is often considered the least desirable fixture of the tournament. The match carries a strange atmosphere: it is played by two teams that came within one step of the final but now have to fight for a bronze medal instead of the trophy.

England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted that neither side would have preferred to be involved in this game. “None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match,” he told reporters, explaining that both teams had wanted to compete in the final after giving everything to reach that stage.

France boss Didier Deschamps showed a more determined approach ahead of his final match in charge of the national team. The French coach insisted that third place was still worth competing for, although he accepted the disappointment of missing out on the main prize.

The starting line-ups chosen by both managers are likely to reveal how seriously each team approaches the contest. Rotation is expected, but there remains an opportunity for several players to improve their personal World Cup records.

✅    Serie A players called up for   🇫🇷    the France National team World Cup Squad:

• AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan
•  AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone
• AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot
• Inter forward Marcus Thuram

France search for a strong finish after Spain’s defeat

France arrived at the semi-final stage after a comfortable run through the tournament, but their journey ended against Spain. Deschamps’ team had not previously faced an opponent capable of limiting the attacking threat of their front four, but Spain’s midfield quality and disciplined defence proved decisive.

The French side managed only 0.31 expected goals against Spain, their lowest total recorded in a World Cup match. The performance highlighted the difficulties they faced when coming up against a team able to control possession and reduce their attacking influence.

Despite the setback, Deschamps has the chance to end his time as France manager with a positive result. His achievements with the national team have already placed him among the most significant figures in French football.

Last 5 France matches stats

England reflect on missed opportunity against Argentina

England were closer than France to reaching the final, which made their semi-final exit even harder to accept. Their match against Argentina was a tight contest for long periods, with the balance shifting after Anthony Gordon gave the Three Lions the lead in the second half.

However, England was unable to build on that advantage. Instead of maintaining pressure, they moved deeper and allowed Argentina’s key players more influence. During the 30-minute period after taking the lead and before Enzo Fernández’s equaliser, England had only 12% possession.

That approach proved costly as Argentina responded and Lionel Messi played a decisive role, adding two more assists to his World Cup record. England were left to reflect on another missed chance at reaching the final stage.

The third-place match will also bring back memories of previous occasions when England competed for bronze. The Three Lions lost this fixture against Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018.

Last 5 England matches stats

World Cup history, records and key names before the final meeting

France has reached the third-place play-off for the fourth time in their history. They defeated Germany in 1958, lost to Poland in 1982, and beat Belgium in 1986. Each of those matches produced at least five goals.

The game could provide one final opportunity for Harry Kane to add to his World Cup record. The England forward has scored 14 goals in the competition, placing him level with Gerd Müller and one behind Ronaldo Nazario, who has 15.

Kylian Mbappé also enters the match with a chance to increase his impressive tally. The French forward has scored 20 World Cup goals, while Lionel Messi leads the competition’s all-time scoring list with 21. Mbappé’s age gives him the possibility of chasing the record in the future, although football remains unpredictable.

The history between France and England at the World Cup has been closely contested. The teams have met three times in the tournament, with England winning the first two encounters — 2-0 in 1966 and 3-1 in 1982 — before France claimed a 2-1 victory in the 2022 quarter-finals.

Overall, England have won only one of their last nine matches against France, with two draws and six defeats. In competitive meetings, the Three Lions have not beaten France since their 3-1 World Cup victory in 1982, recording two draws and two losses since then.

Past H2H Results

Prediction and expected outcome

France heads into this third-place play-off as slight favourites due to their recent World Cup success, individual quality, and greater experience in high-pressure matches. Didier Deschamps’ side have consistently shown the ability to compete at the highest level, and players such as Kylian Mbappé provide the attacking threat needed to punish any defensive mistakes. England, however, have plenty of reasons to believe they can finish the tournament strongly. The Three Lions were close to reaching the final and possess enough talent across the squad to trouble France, especially if they approach the game with more attacking intent than they showed after taking the lead in the semi-final. Both teams are expected to make changes, which could create a more open and unpredictable contest than their previous knockout matches. France may have more attacking firepower, but England’s motivation to avoid another disappointing third-place finish could make this a closely fought encounter.

Prediction: France 2-1 England

Expected outcome: A narrow French victory in a match where both teams are likely to rotate their squads but still compete seriously for a positive ending to their World Cup campaigns. France’s experience in this type of fixture and their attacking quality could prove decisive, although England have enough talent to make the contest competitive until the final whistle. A draw would not be a major surprise, but France appears to have a slight advantage based on their ability to produce moments of individual brilliance.