World Cup final 2026 predictions: Why Spain will beat Argentina for FIFA title

There remains just one competitive match left in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With the expanded 48-team tournament whittled down to just two, Spain and Argentina are all that remain, with just 90 minutes (or more) now separating the two sides from eternal glory.

The matchup is a mouth-watering affair which pits Lionel Messi against his prodigal Barcelona son Lamine Yamal in a winner-take-all tilt of epic proportions.

The Sporting News takes a look at who will come out on top in the matchup, as well as what has to happen for either team to lift the famous trophy.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Odds, spread for Spain vs. Argentina World Cup final
• Printable World Cup bracket
• World Cup prize money breakdown

Who will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup final?

Spain took advantage of France's biggest weakness, which was a lack of midfield superiority.

That same weakness applies to Argentina, who have been frail in midfield all tournament long. For the final 30 minutes against an exhausted England, they were able to assert their dominance in the middle of the pitch, but prior to that, it had been incredibly herky-jerky all tournament long.

Spain's biggest strength is Argentina's biggest weakness, and just as that drowned France, it will do so to Argentina as well.

Score prediction: Spain 2-0 Argentina

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

Why Spain will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup final

At various points against far inferior opponents, the Argentina midfield has been carved to shreds. Cape Verde was able to do it effectively, as was Egypt. While both those teams were playing on the counter, it still serves to show that Argentina's weakness is in the middle of the pitch.

To make matters worse for the defending champions, they lack any kind of attacking width whatsoever. Lionel Scaloni attempted to get width against England from Giuliano Simeone, but all he did was pick up five fouls, get caught offside once, miss with two crosses, and deliver one pass into the final third.

Spain will be happy to pack the midfield once again, as they did against France, and allow their full-backs to bomb forwards.

England also offered a strong game plan to deny Lionel Messi touches deep in their defensive half, one which Spain could emulate easily. Djed Spence and Anthony Gordon were able to get way high up the pitch, forcing Messi to drop back and receive the ball. Additionally, Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi were strong in possession on Messi's side, keeping him from getting dangerous touches.

With the marauding Marc Cucurella and a defensive-minded Alex Baena on that wing (or potentially speedster Nico Williams instead), Spain should have no problem copying this approach.

MORE: Lionel Messi, Argentina add to World Cup comeback history

Why Argentina can win the 2026 FIFA World Cup final

Lionel Messi is still an all-time great playing at all-time great levels.

More importantly, however, Argentina press much better and more actively than France, which should disrupt Spain's play in midfield a lot more than they were troubled in the semifinal.

Argentina disrupted England with immense physicality early in the match, but even they were still undone by a quick inside-out move that saw Declan Rice take a vital touch on Anthony Gordon's goal. The Albiceleste will need more than just fouling to throw Spain off its game.

That's where Enzo Fernandez comes in. The Chelsea man was having an extremely poor World Cup before he buried a critical goal against England, one which seemed to electrify Fernandez. If he can carry that spark into the final, Argentina could be a changed team.

Otherwise, they may be sunk.