The eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final. New York New Jersey Stadium, July 20, 12:30 AM IST. Both squads have trained, both managers have spoken, and now the wait is almost over. Here is everything you need to know before kick-off.
Watch Spain vs Argentina live in India on ZEE 5 — the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final, July 20, 12:30 AM IST. ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription Quarterly Plan at ₹799 or the Annual Plan at ₹1,699 and don’t miss a moment.
Spain — Team News
Spain go into the Final with a full squad to choose from. No fresh injury concerns from the semi-final win over France, no suspensions, no late fitness doubts. Luis de la Fuente has the luxury of selecting the same eleven that have carried Spain this far — and every indication is that he will do exactly that.
Pedri remains available and pushing for a starting role, though Fabián Ruiz’s semi-final performance makes it difficult to justify a change in the double pivot. Mikel Merino is the reliable option from the bench. On the wide left, Ferran Torres and Álex Baena are competing for the role, with Baena starting in recent matches.
Spain — Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
GK: Unai Simón
RB: Pedro Porro | CB: Pau Cubarsí | CB: Aymeric Laporte | LB: Marc Cucurella
DM: Rodri | DM: Fabián Ruiz
RAM: Lamine Yamal | CAM: Dani Olmo | LAM: Álex Baena
ST: Mikel Oyarzabal
What De la Fuente Said
Luis de la Fuente has spent the last forty-eight hours doing what he always does before big matches — projecting calm. At Saturday’s pre-match press conference, he was measured, almost unhurried, as if the Final were simply the next step in a process rather than the culmination of everything. He spoke at length about Argentina’s quality, going out of his way to acknowledge the challenge. “We respect Argentina enormously,” he said.
What was more revealing was what he said about Spain. He did not speak about tactics in any specific sense — he rarely does publicly. Instead he returned, as he always does, to identity. The idea that this Spain team plays a particular way, holds to a particular set of principles, and that those principles do not change regardless of the opponent. “Our identity does not change because of who is on the other side,” he said. “We press, we move the ball, we create. That is who we are.”
It is a message that functions as both philosophy and instruction. Spain’s players do not need a new game plan for Argentina. They need to execute the one they already know — better than they have ever executed it.
Argentina — Team News
Argentina also report no injury concerns. Messi trained fully on Saturday and is fit to start — there were no signs of fatigue after his semi-final against England, where he covered significant ground and registered two assists. Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul are both available and expected to feature.
The main question for Scaloni is formation. Argentina used a 4-4-2 against England but have not been fixed to any single shape throughout this tournament. Against Spain’s possession-heavy 4-2-3-1, they might continue with their 4-4-2 to increase their presence in midfield. Julián Álvarez is expected to lead the line; his pressing intensity and off-ball movement suit the high-pressure game Scaloni wants to play better than Lautaro Martínez’s more static profile.
Argentina — Predicted XI (4-4-2)
GK: Emiliano Martínez
RB: Nahuel Molina | CB: Cristian Romero | CB: Lisandro Martínez | LB: Nicolás Tagliafico
LM: Enzo Fernández, LCM: Alexis Mac Allister, RCM: Leandro Paredes, RM: Giuliano Simeone
ST: Julián Álvarez | ST: Lionel Messi
What Scaloni Said
Lionel Scaloni is not a man who gives much away. He sat at the press conference table on Saturday with the same quiet intensity he brings to the touchline — attentive and precise. He spoke warmly about the squad, about what this group has been through together since 2022, about the bond that has formed across two World Cups. “The players understand the responsibility,” he said, “and they embrace it. That is what makes this group special.”
On Spain, he was respectful but not deferential. He acknowledged their quality in possession, described them as “a magnificent team,” and then almost immediately pivoted to what Argentina can do about it. He talked about pressing intelligently, about using spaces, about being patient when Spain have the ball. “It will be a very tactical match,” he said. “Spain want to control the ball. We have to be intelligent.” That last word — intelligent — came up more than once. It is clearly the lens through which he is approaching this game.
The most pointed moment came when Messi was raised. Scaloni barely paused. “His condition is excellent,” he said. “He is ready.” Short sentences, total certainty. For a manager who chooses his words carefully, that was as close to a declaration of intent as you are going to get the night before a World Cup Final.
One Match Left
Two managers. Two philosophies. One trophy. Spain’s identity is built on process — the belief that if they do what they do well enough, results follow. Argentina’s is built on collective will and individual brilliance, with Messi as the point at which those two things meet. Ninety minutes, possibly more — at the New York New Jersey Stadium, and it all gets decided.
Spain vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final — live on ZEE 5, July 20, 12:30 AM IST. Be there.
Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.
