Spain vs Argentina World Cup Final Preview: Messi and Yamal Meet for the First Time, With the Trophy on the Line

Spain and Argentina meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. It is the first time the two nations have ever met in a World Cup final.

In fact, Spain and Argentina have met just once before at a World Cup, all the way back in 1966. Away from the World Cup, their most recent clash came in a 2018 friendly, which Spain won 6-1. Lionel Scaloni was on Argentina's coaching staff that day. Neither current head coach had even been born the last time these two sides met at a World Cup.

Argentina arrive as defending champions, chasing a second straight title. Their route to the final has been anything but smooth. They needed extra time to beat Cape Verde and Switzerland, and came from behind late to beat Egypt and now England. Lionel Messi leads the tournament with eight goals and 12 career World Cup assists, both all-time records, and has now scored 21 World Cup goals in total, also a record.

Spain have been the tournament's most controlled side. After a goalless draw with Cape Verde in the group stage, they have won six straight, including a 2-0 win over France in the semi-final. Lamine Yamal, still only 19, has been central to their run and will now face Messi on the biggest stage of all. There is a personal story behind that meeting too. As a baby, Yamal appeared in a photo with Messi at a charity event, a picture that went viral after his father shared it years later.

Spain are looking for their second World Cup title, having won it in 2010. Argentina want a third overall, and a second in a row under Scaloni.