Spain vs. Argentina Final Prediction: FIFA World Cup Odds, Betting Picks
It’s the first ever World Cup final between two continental champions as defending champion Argentina faces Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday.
Winners of the Copa America, La Seleccion are also looking to become to first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil in 1962.
La Roja are the defending European champions and seek a second World Cup title after winning in 2010.
This has all the makings of a classic World Cup final as the elite offence of Argentina faces the stout defensive structure of Spain.
Check out our full list of live 2026 World Cup betting odds.
Spain vs. Argentina FIFA World Cup: How to Watch and Match Info
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
How to watch in Canada: TSN, TSN+, CTV, Crave
Weather: High of 28°C with a risk of thunderstorms, wind about 16 kph
Spain vs. Argentina Betting Odds
These are the top two teams in the FIFA world rankings. However, the top-ranked Argentinians are actually listed as +250 underdogs to win in 90 minutes. No. 2 Spain is a +125 favourite and a regular time draw is listed at +200.
The total is set at 2.5, with the Over priced at +120. That essentially says oddsmakers view Spain’s defensive ability outweighing Argentina’s offence. While Argentina has scored a tournament-high 19 goals, Spain has recorded clean sheets in six of seven World Cup games while allowing just one goal in the tournament.
Neither team is a stranger to the World Cup final. Argentina is the defending World Cup champions and this will be their third appearance in the last four finals. La Roja is also a relatively recent winner, taking the World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa.
Spain vs. Argentina Predicted Starting XI Lineups
Spain Starting XI: 4-2-3-1
Unai Simon
Pedro Porro | Pau Cubarsi | Aymeric Laporte | Marc Cucurella
Rodri | Fabian Ruiz
Lamine Yamal | Dani Olmo | Alex Baena
Mikel Oyarzabal
Argentina Starting XI: 4-2-2
Emiliano Martinez
Nahuel Montiel | Cristian Romero | Lisandro Martinez | Nicolas Tagliafico
Rodrigo De Paul | Leandro Paredes | Enzo Fernandez | Alexis Mac Allister
Lionel Messi | Julian Alvarez
Spain FIFA World Cup Odds and News
Spain has been an absolute wonder defensively at this tournament. La Roja previously went 649 minutes without conceding a goal before Belgium broke through in the quarterfinals. Spain’s six clean sheets is a new men’s tournament record.
Up front, Mikel Oyarzabal leads the team with five goals, including the winner he scored on a penalty in Spain’s 2-0 semifinal win over France. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has also been dangerous, although he is still sitting on just one goal at this World Cup.
There was some concern when Yamal was seen with a bandage on his leg at training on Thursday, although all reports indicate he will be fine for the final. The same goes for Pedro Porro, who scored in the semi’s against France. While Yamal and Porro didn’t practice Thursday, they are expected to be in the Starting XI on Sunday.
Argentina FIFA World Cup Odds and News
Argentina might go down as one of the greatest teams ever if they win on Sunday. La Seleccion can become the first team in soccer history to win four straight major tournament after winning Copa America in 2021 and 2024 as well as their 2022 World Cup title.
Lionel Messi has been the catalyst for Argentina’s offence as he sits tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe atop the Golden Boot race with eight goals apiece. However, Lautaro Martinez has increasingly come up clutch with key goals in the quarterfinals and semis, while Messi didn’t find the back of the net in either of those games.
Argentina is expected to be fully healthy for the final. Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes both dealt with cramping in the quarterfinals, but they were fine to start Argentina’s 2-1 comeback win over England in the semis.
Spain vs. Argentina Player Odds and Props
Lamine Yamal anytime goal (+250)
I’m going back to the well with a Yamal anytime goal. The 19-year-old has been all over the pitch with a team-high 23 attempts at goal; he is bound to break through.
As good as Messi is at finishing, he’s also an elite distributor, sitting second in the tournament with four assists. These last two games have shown the Inter Miami star doesn’t need to score to produce offence.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Bracket and Futures
Let’s take the three-way moneyline out of the equation and makes things simpler: Spain is -165 to win the World Cup and Argentina is +120.
The Golden Boot race is dead even between Messi and Mbappe at -120 each. You have to think there is more value on taking Messi with Argentina playing for glory, while Mabappe and France can’t be overly motivated to win or even care about the third-place game.
Spain vs. Argentina Score Prediction
Final score prediction: Spain 2 | Argentina 1
Argentina has easily provided the most dramatic finishes at this year’s World Cup throughout the knockout round. However, they’ve relied on that drama because of some atrocious defensive structure.
Spain hasn’t shown any weaknesses in this tournament and La Roja should pour cold water on Argentina’s hopes of going back-to-back.