Messi World Cup prediction, lineups, channel

Lionel Messi and Argentina will try becoming the first team since 1962 to defend its World Cup crown, facing Spain in a dream final matchup on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Messi, 39, has eight goals at this World Cup but the title holders come up against European champion Spain, which has shockingly conceded just once in its seven matches at this tournament.

"For me, he's the greatest player of all time," Spain midfielder Rodri said. "But Argentina is much more than just Messi."

Argentina has won the World Cup three times in its history – 1978, 1986 and 2022 – while Spain is trying to win its second, the first coming in 2010 in South Africa.

"Both Argentina and Spain are setting out to play a match where brilliance, talent and good football will prevail over any other factor," Spain coach Luis De La Fuente told reporters.

Follow for live updates:

Where to watch Argentina vs Spain

TV channel: Fox

Live stream: Fubo or the Fox One App

Spanish language: Telemundo and Peacock

Watch World Cup final with Fubo

What time is Argentina vs Spain game?

The game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.

Where is Argentina vs Spain game?

The 2026 World Cup final is being held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Argentina vs Spain prediction, expert picks

Seth Vertelney: Spain 2-0 Argentina

Argentina was heading out of the World Cup against England before the Three Lions simply stopped possessing the ball. Spain will have no such issues, and if La Roja can score first, Argentina's ability to come back may finally be stifled.

Jon Arnold: Spain 1-2 Argentina

The winner of this matchup will be the team that is able to get on the ball and find the right space more often. While Spain's midfield is fearsome, so, too, is Lionel Messi, who exits the grandest stage trophy in hand.

Jesse Yomtov: Spain 0 - 1 Argentina

Lionel Messi goes out on top with his second World Cup title as Argentina finds a moment of magic to crack Spain's history-making defensive unit.

Victoria Hernandez: Spain 2 - 1 Argentina

Argentina's late surges have worked thus far. But Spain has shown they take control of matches and will do so again. The way they handled a very talented France squad shows they are hungry and focused to win this World Cup.

Argentina vs Spain odds

Argentina lineup today

Lineups will be announced approximately an hour before kickoff

Spain lineup today

Lineups will be announced approximately an hour before kickoff

2026 FIFA World Cup bracket

Round of 16

July 4: France def Paraguay - Philadelphia

July 4: Morocco def Canada - Houston

July 5: Norway def Brazil - East Rutherford

July 5: England def Mexico - Mexico City

July 6: Spain def Portugal - Arlington

July 6: Belgium def USA - Seattle

July 7: Argentina def Egypt - Atlanta

July 7: Switzerland def Colombia - Vancouver

Quarterfinals

July 9: France def Morocco - Foxborough

July 10: Spain def Belgium - Inglewood

July 11: England def England - Miami

July 11: Argentina def Switzerland - Kansas City

Semifinals

July 14: Spain def France - Arlington

July 15: Argentina def England - Atlanta

Final

July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

2026 World Cup prize money

Champion: $50 million

Runner-up: $33 million

3rd place: $29 million (England)

4th place: $27 million (France)

5th-8th place: $19 million

9th-16th place: $15 million

17th- 32nd place: $11 million

33rd-48th place: $9 million

World Cup winners list

2022: Argentina 🇦🇷

2018: France 🇫🇷

2014: Germany 🇩🇪

2010: Spain 🇪🇸

2006: Italy 🇮🇹

2002: Brazil 🇧🇷

1998: France 🇫🇷

1994: Brazil 🇧🇷

1990: West Germany

1986: Argentina 🇦🇷

1982: Italy 🇮🇹

1978: Argentina 🇦🇷

1974: West Germany

1970: Brazil 🇧🇷

1966: England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

1962: Brazil 🇧🇷

1958: Brazil 🇧🇷

1954: West Germany

1950: Uruguay 🇺🇾

1938: Italy

1934: Italy

1930: Uruguay 🇺🇾

Spain vs Argentina stadium

The 2026 World Cup final is being held at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets.

Lionel Messi stats

Argentina’s Lionel Messi has eight goals in the 2026 World Cup and 21 in his World Cup career.

Who won the last World Cup?

Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in the final on penalty kicks.

Fans arrive at MetLife Stadium

Argentina a 'real nuisance,' ex-Spain coach says

Former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has warned the national team not to underestimate Argentina ahead of the World Cup final, describing their opponents as a "real nuisance" and urging Spain to remain cautious.

Del Bosque led Spain to World Cup victory in 2010, when they beat the Netherlands 1-0 in South Africa.

"Argentina are a tough team to play against — a real nuisance, if I may use the word — and they know exactly what they need to do," del Bosque told the El Pais newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.

"I see the final as favoring Spain, but they need to be wary of the Argentines, given how difficult they are to face and their experience," he said.

– Reuters

What time is World Cup final CST?

The World Cup final kicks off at 2 p.m. Central Time.

Spain vs Argentina last match

The last meeting between Spain and Argentina was a 2018 friendly in Madrid, a 6-1 Spain victory months before the 2018 World Cup.

Isco scored a hat trick with Diego Costa, Thiago Alcantara and Iago Aspas also scoring for La Roja.

Lionel Messi did not play in the game and Nicolás Otamendi scored the only goal for Argentina.

Where is the next World Cup?

The 2030 World Cup is being co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco - with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each hosting one match in South America to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural World Cup.

What jerseys are Argentina and Spain wearing today?

FIFA confirmed that Spain and Argentina will both wear their home kits for the World Cup final. Both teams will wear the colors they are most associated with, creating an instantly recognizable kit matchup.

Argentina will wear its traditional light blue and white vertical stripes, paired with white shorts and socks.

Spain will be in its red jerseys with navy blue shorts and socks.

Who has the most World Cups?

Brazil has won the World Cup five times, the most of any country.

Germany and Italy each have four titles, while Argentina has won three world championships.

Spain World Cup roster

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

Argentina World Cup roster

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético Madrid)

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid)

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid), Nico González (Atlético Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel López (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)

World Cup hosts

2034 – Saudi Arabia

2030 – Spain, Portugal, Morocco (+ Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay)

2026 – Canada, Mexico, United States

2022 – Qatar

2018 – Russia

2014 – Brazil

2010 – South Africa

2006 – Germany

2002 – Japan, South Korea

1998 – France

1994 – United States

1990 – Italy

1986 – Mexico

1982 – Spain

1978 – Argentina

1974 – West Germany

1970 – Mexico

1966 – England

1962 – Chile

1958 – Sweden

1954 – Switzerland

1950 – Brazil

1938 – France

1934 – Italy

1930 – Uruguay

Argentina vs Spain Pacific Time

The World Cup final kicks off at 12 p.m. PST.

Spain vs Argentina location

The Argentina-Spain World Cup final is being held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

How many times has Spain won the World Cup?

Spain won its only World Cup in 2010, defeating the Netherlands on Andres Iniesta's goal in extra time.

When is the next Women's World Cup?

The next FIFA Women's World Cup will be in 2027 – with Brazil hosting for the first time.

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