World Cup Final: Spain vs Argentina Lineups & Preview
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey – Spain and Argentina have revealed their starting lineups for today’s 2026 World Cup final, with Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente opting for consistency while Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni rings in three tactical changes for the title defense.
Seeking their second world title, Spain will field the exact same starting eleven that secured victories over Belgium in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-finals. De la Fuente’s 4-2-3-1 formation remains anchored by goalkeeper Unai Simón, protected by a back four of Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, and Cucurella. Rodri and Fabián Ruiz will control the engine room, providing the platform for a creative trio of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Álex Baena to support lone striker Mikel Oyarzabal.
In contrast, defending champions Argentina have shaken up their roster. Scaloni has introduced Gonzalo Montiel, Rodrigo de Paul, and Nicolás González into the starting lineup, replacing Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, and Giuliano Simeone. The inclusion of González is particularly notable, as the winger had not started a single match in the tournament prior to today’s final.
A Clash of Legacies
Argentina is chasing history as they look to become only the third nation to successfully defend a World Cup title, joining the elite company of Italy (1934–38) and Brazil (1958–62). Eight of today’s starters were part of the 2022 winning squad that defeated France on penalties, though veterans like Nicolás Otamendi and Ángel Di María make way for Lisandro Martínez and Nico González.
For Spain, the prize is equally prestigious. A victory at MetLife Stadium would see them join Germany as the only European nations to lift the trophy on American soil. While “La Roja” has been clinical, winning every match since an opening draw against Cape Verde in regulation time, they have relied on late-game heroics from Mikel Merino to survive narrow scares in the knockout rounds.
Icon vs. Prodigy
The final serves as a poetic passing of the torch between two eras of FC Barcelona brilliance. Lionel Messi, now 39, enters his record-equaling third World Cup final in the form of his life, boasting eight goals and four assists in this tournament alone. On the opposite side stands 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, the teenager now wearing the iconic number 10 shirt once synonymous with Messi’s reign in Spain.
The road to the final has been a grueling one for the “Albiceleste.” Unlike Spain’s 90-minute victories, Argentina has survived four consecutive knockout scares, requiring extra time or late comebacks against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England.
The 23rd World Cup final kicks off at 3:00 PM local time (20:00 GMT), with Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic officiating the historic encounter.
Image: Pexels – Oguz Dik
