Spain and Argentina have named their starting line-ups ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, with kick-off scheduled for 8 p.m. Nigerian time.
Defending champions Argentina are bidding to retain the World Cup crown and claim a fourth world title, while European champions Spain are aiming to lift the trophy for the second time after their maiden triumph in 2010.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has retained the side that defeated France in the semi-finals, with captain Rodri anchoring the midfield alongside Fabián Ruiz, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo provide the creative spark behind striker Mikel Oyarzabal.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has also gone with an experienced line-up led by captain Lionel Messi, who partners Julián Álvarez in attack. Emiliano Martínez starts in goal behind a defence marshalled by Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez, while Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister feature in midfield.
Spain XI: Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Álex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
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Argentina XI: Emiliano Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Nicolás González; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.
The final pits two of the tournament’s outstanding teams against each other, with Spain entering on the back of an unbeaten run, while Argentina are seeking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
