Spain vs Argentina LIVE: World Cup final 2026 match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Setting the stage: Spain take on Argentina in the World Cup finalPAHistory will be made tonight as Spain and Argentina meet in what promises to be a blockbuster World Cup final. Spain were impressive against France to reach the final of this competition for just the second time in their history, and can become the first nation to ever complete a Euros and World Cup double on two separate occasions.Argentina, the reigning world champions, came from behind to beat England in the semi-final, keeping alive the dream of becoming only the third nation ever to win back-to-back World Cups, following the Italy team of 1934 and 1938, and their fierce South America rivals Brazil who achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962.Lionel Messi can further etch his name into football immortality when he leads Argentina out at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, though he will be up against the man many view as his successor in Lamine Yamal, and there's an incredible backstory involving the pair. A first World Cup meeting between the two nations for over 60 years will result in one lifting aloft the richest prize in football. Follow Spain vs Argentina LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.Spain vs Argentina latest newsWhat the experts think: Yorke, Heskey and SheringhamDwight Yorke: Messi can beat Spain with his genius"Argentina have started to huff and puff a bit but they have managed every test that’s been thrown at them and they’ve come back into games when they’ve needed to, fighting back to get themselves into another World Cup final. It’s been quite remarkable, really."I think it would be quite extraordinary but Messi can do it, and he is a player who understands the history of these things and the game. This game has the making of it for Messi, and history tells us he will want to repeat that history, and if he does I think it would elevate him again, especially if he goes on to win the World Cup."That would be two World Cups, one more than Maradona won, and I think that would put the debate to bed. It would be the only way to put this massive discussion to bed, and it would. Big time."Emile Heskey: Argentina must win in 90 minutes or Lionel Messi will fade"For Lionel Messi, I think the goal is to get it done in 90 minutes. He isn’t at that same level in extra-time and that’s normal."I played until I was 38, and he is 39. I was playing in the Championship, while he is playing in the World Cup."It's a totally different level. He's a phenomenal player. To perform and score the way he is at his age confirms he is the GOAT."Teddy Sheringham: Messi he can do it again this year"I was lucky enough to go to the World Cup final in 2022 and Lionel Messi was sensational that night."It was a work of art every time he touched the ball. He didn’t go around all over the pitch. He just found space and his touch was phenomenal. You don’t lose that, no matter how old you get, and his awareness on the football pitch was just amazing. I was so glad I was there to see it for myself. I’m sure he’s still performing like that week in, week out for Inter Miami now too, and long may it continue."Can he do it again with Argentina this summer, four years on, four years older? I would probably say no but who knows."The trio were speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest World Cup odds.Spain vs Argentina score predictionSpain have quietly gone about their business all tournament and were mightily impressive in the semi-final win over France.However, this Argentina team just has a knack of producing when it matters in the big moments, thus making this a difficult one to call.The fact that retaining the World Cup has only been done twice before shows how hard it is to do, but we think Argentina will make history as Lionel Messi bows out on top.Messi's chances of another Ballon d'Or win revealedTipster Mark O'Haire using Grosvenor Sport's World Cup odds has said: "Lionel Messi now has strong odds to win the Golden Ball, almost irrespective of the result on Sunday. It's still completely insane to me that a 39-year-old guy who's only 5'7 can have so much influence on a football match."It would not surprise me at all if he does decide to call it quits at the end of this competition. Maybe just internationally, he may feel he's got another year or two playing in the MLS, we know he was wanting to walk away after the last World Cup at one stage he did retire from international football before being persuaded back. Obviously the Argentinian shirt is a major pull for those players.“In terms of the Ballon d'Or, it's not quite as clear cut. He is the favourite, but most firms don't make him odds on. Winning the World Cup will absolutely solidify his position as the Ballon d'Or favourite. It does tend to go to someone who's won the Champions League or the World Cup."So if Argentina were to lose the final, his price would drift. If they were to win it, he would be a firm favourite to win the Golden Ball and the Ballon d’Or.”GettyArgentina team news: No injury concernsLionel Scaloni has the dream scenario of having the full complement of players available for the World Cup final.The means the biggest selection dilemma is who partners Lionel Messi in attack as Lautaro Martinez is pushing to start ahead of Julian Alvarez after scoring the winner in the semi-final.Goalkeepers: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano MartinezDefenders: Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel MolinaMidfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo FernandezForwards: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro MartinezGettyBallon d'Or claimRodri and Lamine Yamal will be front-runners for the 2026 Ballon d’Or if Spain win the World Cup.That is the view of expert tipster Mark O’Haire, using Grosvenor Sport's World Cup odds: “Yes, absolutely. Rodri's price to win the Ballon d’Or has already crashed following his performance in the semi-final against France."I mean Yamal is second-favourite already going into the final. The Ballon d’Or does tend to go to someone who's won the Champions League or the World Cup, so it's very much led by medals and achievements."So if Spain do win the World Cup, I'd expect both of their prices to be cut further. Right now Yamal is second favorite. He's around 7/4 to 7/2 depending on where you bet. Rodri is 8/1 to 12/1."A fair difference of opinion amongst the bookmakers, Messi's still a strong favourite, still, but either Rodri or Yamal would be a contender for sure."GettySpain team news: Lamine Yamal latestLamine Yamal trained separately on Thursday, but there is a growing confidence he will be available for selection.The same applies to Pedro Porro after he missed the aforementioned training session with a minor muscular issue.Goalkeepers: David Raya, Joan Garcia, Unai SimonDefenders: Marc Pubill, Alex Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc CucurellaMidfielders: Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Gavi, Alex Baena, Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, PedriForwards: Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Victor Munoz, Borja IglesiasGettyHow to watchTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live simultaneously on ITV1 and BBC One, with coverage starting at 6.45pm and 7pm BST respectively.Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via ITVX and the ITV website, as well as BBC iPlayer and the BBC website.Live blog: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog.Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer / ITVX app and their websites.GettyImagesSpain vs Argentina - World Cup final LIVEHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Spain vs Argentina!After five weeks of non-stop action and 103 matches, we have arrived at the 2026 World Cup final where the reigning European champions face the holders - who are also South America's finest.Will it be a second Euros and World Cup double for La Roja, or will Argentina retain football's biggest prize and become just the third nation to do so?We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up, closing ceremony and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the New York/New Jersey Stadium. Stick with us!PA