The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is not far away and anticipation is rapidly increasing.
Current European champions Spain are aiming to win their second World Cup, 16 years after their first win in South Africa. But standing in their way is South American giant Argentina, who are aiming to become the third country to win consecutive World Cup titles.
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Statistics provider Opta predicts that Spain are favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, with a 59.56 percent chance of lifting the trophy in New Jersey. La Roja has also been chosen by several former players and pundits.
Former England striker Michael Owen said Spain, who are ranked second in the world, were “deserving” of the tournament.
“Spain don’t have the best individual players and I think France probably doesn’t either… but as a team Spain are everything England isn’t. They’re brave and brave with the ball,” Owen told The Straits Times.
“Spain are a great team who pass the ball with confidence and play great football as a group.”
Former Barcelona and Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played in two World Cups with Sweden, predicts Spain will dominate the final, which comes two years after winning Euro 2024.
Spain dealt with France very well (in the semi-finals). I believe they can deal with this Argentina,” said Zlatan, who is currently a pundit for US broadcaster FOX Sports.
“Argentina is not a team that fights back. Spain is going to do what they have to do. They will play collectively… I believe Spain will dominate that game.”
Spain are also John Terry’s favorites for glory, with the former England captain telling Sport Uncensored that Luis de la Fuente’s side have “too much going for Argentina”.
Former goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who captained Spain during their first World Cup victory in 2010, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bring home a second goal while sharing a photo of another star half-stitched on the top of his badge.
The stars represent all World Cups won by the team.
(Translation: And why not?)
While most consensus centers on a Spanish victory, some believe Argentina also has a chance, however slight.
One of England’s best strikers in history, Alan Shearer, backed the reigning champions on the podcast The Rest is Football, saying: “If there’s one team that can do it in terms of stopping them (Spain), it’s Argentina in terms of their mentality and cohesion.”
“They were down and in trouble many times and still managed to come out victorious and that’s what should be admired about them.
“When you have genius on your side, there’s always a chance,” he added about Messi.
But how can Argentina beat favorites Spain in the title race?
British soccer pundit Micah Richards believes the answer is a low block transition. This is a strategy in which a team sits closest to the goal and, after winning the ball, rapidly transitions from a compact defensive form to an offensive counter-attack.
“Give the ball to Messi, where (Julian) Alvarez and (Lautaro) Martínez make terrible balls. Do what they did against England,” he added.
“I think Argentina need to stay in the game and switch on when the momentum changes, just like they did against England.”
Meanwhile, England’s other great player, Gary Lineker, stuck with his pre-tournament choice of Spain, but added that Argentina were a “very strong-willed” opponent, making predictions a very tough choice.
“You can’t go against that little guy (Messi). He’s so good. It’s going to be a really, really close game. It’s really 50-50.”
Unlike others, New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani refused to choose a side.
“Everyone I root for lost,” he said with a laugh. “So at this point I feel like no matter what I say, I’m going to lose.
“I’m going to give you the classic politician answer. I’m excited and looking forward to a good game.”
