This Sunday, Argentina has a rare chance to achieve what no World Cup champion has managed in over 60 years: defend their title in the subsequent tournament. The Albiceleste will face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Guided by Lionel Scaloni, Argentina has become only the sixth team in history to reach the final after winning the previous championship. This exclusive club includes Italy (1934-1938), Brazil (1958-1962), Argentina (1986-1990), Brazil once more (1994-1998), and France (2018-2022).
However, history does not favor the defending champions. Out of these five teams that reached the final as reigning champions, only Italy and Brazil succeeded in retaining the title: Italy with victories in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil with their wins in Sweden 1958 and Chile 1962.
The other three attempts ended in defeat. Argentina was beaten by Germany 1-0 in Italy 1990 after their victory in Mexico 1986. Brazil lost to host France 3-0 in the 1998 final, after winning the trophy in the United States in 1994. France could not defend their 2018 title in Russia, losing on penalties to Argentina in Qatar 2022.
If the Albiceleste triumph over Spain this Sunday, they will become the third team to win back-to-back World Cups, ending a wait of over six decades since Brazil's achievement in 1962.
The Personal Stakes for Lionel Messi
The match also holds personal significance. Lionel Messi, at 39, is playing in what he has described as "likely his final World Cup match." The Argentine captain leads the tournament's Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists, and he is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals. By reaching this final, Messi matches Cafu as the only player to appear in three World Cup finals (2014, 2022, and 2026).
Argentina advanced to the final by defeating England 2-1 in the semifinals on July 15 in Atlanta, with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez. Meanwhile, Spain eliminated France 2-0 on July 14 in Dallas, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, boasting the tournament's best defense by conceding only one goal throughout the competition.
This is also the first time the two nations will meet in a World Cup final, a historic first for the tournament.
The FIFA-appointed referee for the match is Slovene Slavko Vincic. The MetLife Stadium, with its 82,500-seat capacity, will host a clash that the world of football has awaited for more than six decades.
Argentina's World Cup Journey
How many World Cup finals has Argentina played?
Argentina has played in six World Cup finals, including the 2026 final against Spain.
Who are the top performers for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi is leading the team with eight goals and four assists, while Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez have also been key contributors.
What is the significance of this World Cup final for Lionel Messi?
This final is likely Lionel Messi's last World Cup match, marking his potential retirement from international play on the biggest stage.