How can Argentina and Messi beat Spain and Yamal to defend World Cup?
Despite Lionel Messi’s presence, Argentina enter the 2026 final as underdogs to Spain and their starlet Lamine Yamal. Four years after their triumph in Lusail
Despite Lionel Messi’s presence, Argentina enter the 2026 final as underdogs to Spain and their starlet Lamine Yamal. Four years after their triumph in Lusail Stadium at Qatar 2022, Argentina have the chance to become only the third side to defend a World Cup crown. They may be led by the legendary Lionel Messi, they may be champions of South America – indeed, the holders may well be the comeback kings of the tournament – but they are not the favourites. Standing in their way of claiming a first for more than half a century, since Brazil defended their title in 1962, are the European champions – and pre-tournament favourites – Spain. Al Jazeera Sport looks at why the defending champions are seen as the outsiders for Sunday’s final and what chance they have to upset the odds. Why are Spain favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 final? Spain came into the 2026 edition as the number one ranked team in the world and the favourites to lift the trophy, but they lost that mantle mid-campaign to the attacking endeavour of France. The star turns of Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele were ably supported by Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola, with the latter’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate and starlet of French football, Desire Doue, demoted to his supporting act. Going into the semifinal clash between the European giants, the French were firmly the favourites to lift the title – as long as they could see off the Spanish. They could not. Spain did not give the French a sniff in their 2-0 win and Mbappe, Dembele and co ploughed lone and desperate furrows in their limited attempts to lay the foundations for their team to find their footing. Having been held by debutants Cape Verde in their opening game of the tournament, the spotlight was on the Spanish thereafter. They limped past Uruguay, Portugal and Belgium and failed to fire overall – until they met the French. Now Spain’s confidence is restored – if it was ever even in doubt. What are Spain’s strengths that should concern Argentina? The question is perhaps easier answered in terms of where are their weaknesses? There don’t appear to be many and that is why their underwhelming performances up to the semifinal were such a surprise.
Coming into the tournament, coach Luis de la Fuente attempted to rally his troops – and the country – by talking of a “united” Spain. No Real Madrid player was named in the Spanish squad for the tournament, which threw open the question about the credentials of the European champions’ current set-up. Eight of the 26-man squad play for Barcelona, who last season defended the domestic title with ease. “For me, the greatest team there is – the very greatest – is the Spanish national team,” de la Fuente said. “I don’t look at where players come from or their background. What matters are Spanish players who are proud to represent their country’s national team and to be part of a united nation.” It is not only a Catalonia conundrum for de la Fuente to solve. Of the starting semifinalists in midfield and attack for the Spanish, Fabian Ruiz is the pivot in midfield for Champions League holders PSG, Alex Baena is Atletico Madrid’s darling on the flank, Rodri is Manchester City’s 2024 Ballon d’Or-winning maestro, and the lone frontman, Mikel Oyarzabal, is putting Real Sociedad on the map for the global audience. The 29-year-old’s five goals at the tournament so far may well give him an iconic status in Spanish football history, if the trophy can be secured. Then there is Spain’s Barcelona-based spine. Lamine Yamal is the new poster boy of world football – despite a quiet campaign off the back of a pre-tournament hamstring injury – and, alongside Real-rival Mbappe, is seen as successor to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the global superstars of the sport. The 19-year-old provided many a star turn to help the Spanish win Euro 2024, but his adoring fans await his moment of magic at the World Cup. Dani Olmo is the orchestrator of attacks, slotting between the defensive duo in midfield and looking to feed the wingers and the striker. Pau Cubarsi, at only 19 years of age, has made himself a fixture for club and country in the heart of defence. The might of the Spanish is perhaps best exemplified by the fact that one of the most sought-after talents in the game, Athletic Bilbao’s 24-year-old winger, has hardly had a look-in, despite his key role in their Euro 2024 campaign.
The BriefWire