Spain vs. Argentina Live streaming: How to watch the World Cup final, odds, predictions
The 2026 World Cup final will take place on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, and it will be one of the most memorable matches. This is Luis de la Fuente’s place Spainprobably the best team of the tournament after being beaten France in the semi-finals, they will meet In Argentina and Lionel Messi in what may be his last match at the World Cup. Spain has won the World Cup only once, lifting the trophy in 2010, and will be playing in the second final on Sunday. Argentina, three-time world champions, won in 1978 with Mario Kempes, 1986 under the inspiration of Diego Armando Maradona, and most recently in 2022. Victory on Sunday will make La Albiceleste the third nation in history to retain the World Cup, following Italy (1934 and 1938). Brazil (1958 and 1962). Here’s what you need to know:
How to watch Spain vs. Argentina
Date: Sunday, July 15 | Time: 3pm ET
Location: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, NJ
TV: FOX (Eng), Telemundo (Spa) | Live streaming: Fubo (Try it for free)
Possible: Spain +125; Draw +200; Argentina +254
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You’ve probably seen it by now, but back in 2007, Barcelona star Lionel Messi proposed a photoshoot where she was bathing a small child. The Argentine star will see that child again. For five months then, he was a rising Spanish star Lamine Yamal. On Sunday, nearly two decades later, they will meet in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium between Spain and Argentina. A game that will not only decide the new world champions but also decide who will win the 2026 Ballon d’Or between Messi and Yamal. But first, how did Messi and Yamal end up together in that photo shoot?
It all started in the fall of 2007, when Diario Sport, a Catalan newspaper, partnered with UNICEF, one of Barcelona’s charity partners, to produce the 2008 calendar, a format that was very popular throughout Europe at the time. The idea was to shoot the first group photos with children from the Barcelona area. To make it happen, UNICEF created a competition in the Rocafonda area in the Spanish city of Mataró, near Barcelona, and Yamal’s parents participated and were chosen to be part of it.
Lionel Messi and baby Lamine Yamal’s cute photo came to be as Argentina, Spain prepare for World Cup final
Francesco Porzio
“At that time, no one would have thought that this kid would become what he is now and you would never have known that Messi would become,” Joan Monfort, then a freelance photographer for the Associated Press, told The Athletic in a 2024 interview.
“We are talking about 2007. Messi was just starting at Barca at that time. Destiny plays an important role in these things. Messi is a naive, shy man. He was leaving the locker room and suddenly he found himself in another locker room with a plastic tub full of water and a child. It was complicated. He didn’t even know how to start holding him. At first it wasn’t difficult. But, little by little, it started to happen and in the end, a very beautiful picture.”
The photo went viral again in 2024 when Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, re-shared it on social media, telling a story and comparing his son to the Argentine legend. Even UNICEF took to social media on Thursday, posting a photo saying, “Yes, those photos you saw are real. More than 18 years ago, a child named Lamine Yamal and his mother, Sheila, met Lionel Messi in a fund-raising photo shoot for UNICEF. Today, their success on the field inspires millions. Off the field, both Yamal use the name Messi and Lamal.”
Trump to attend the finals
It is expected that the American president Donald Trump will present the world cup to the winners of this competition, but he has never attended the 102 World Cup games so far, and he has missed the American games as well. However, his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under media scrutiny, especially after FIFA sent off Folarin Balogun who was sent off ahead of the round of 16 tournament. In Belgium. The decision, according to Trump himself, was made following his request. Mauricio PochettinoThe team lost 4-1 against Belgium and were eliminated by the Red Devils.
2026 World Cup Final: US President Donald Trump to attend; FIFA will introduce championship rings
Francesco Porzio
Spain vs. Argentina predicted the start of the players
Spain: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian RuizÁlex Baena; Dani OlmoMikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal.
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian RomeroLisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis McAllister, Enzo Fernández, Thiago Almada; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.
Spain vs. Argentina pick, prediction
Spain have looked the better and more complete team throughout the tournament, but Argentina’s recent performances have been the highlight. Magic appears again. Select: Argentina 2, Spain 1
Golazo 48 Nations: Follow the World Cup all summer long
Golazo 48 Nations is your one-stop access to all of the World Cup, covering wall-to-wall coverage across the CBS Sports Golazo Network. From the first whistle to the last match, the entire Golazo team will guide the fans throughout the tournament.
Each day begins with Morning Footysetting the stage with the latest news, storylines, and previews before the games start. Since then, Golazo Matchday again Golazo Matchnight bring reaction and analysis as the action unfolds. Fans can sing along to the installation SMNT corresponds to Call It What You Want team, and reactions to some of the marquee matchups.
The day wraps up with Score linea comprehensive nightly summary of every result, moment, and story from every tournament. In total, Golazo Network will deliver up to 12 hours of programming each matchday, available across Golazo Network and its YouTube channel.
