Spain backed by ESPN panel for World Cup final against Argentina
Spain and Argentina meet Sunday in East Rutherford, with Lionel Messi chasing another crown and ESPN’s writers largely siding with La Roja.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Spain enter Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina with most of ESPN’s panel picking the European champions to stop Lionel Messi and the reigning world champions.
The match is set for 3 p.m. ET in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with ESPN’s scoreboard listing FOX as the broadcaster. After a month that cut the field down by 46 teams, including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, the final leaves Argentina and Spain as the last teams standing.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden wrote that Spain’s route began with a flat 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, but Luis de la Fuente’s side has since tightened up. According to Ogden, Spain conceded its first and only goal of the tournament in a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Belgium, then beat France 2-0 in the semifinal in Dallas.
Ogden identified Mikel Oyarzabal as Spain’s standout player. The Real Sociedad forward has five goals in the tournament, including three in the knockout rounds, after also scoring the winner for Spain against England in the Euro 2024 final.
Argentina’s path, Ogden wrote, has looked calmer on paper than it has felt on the pitch. The world champions did not face a team ranked inside FIFA’s top 15 until the semifinal against fourth-ranked England, but they needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32 and then defeated Egypt 3-2 in a round-of-16 match after Egypt claimed VAR decisions contributed to an “injustice.”
Switzerland pushed Argentina hard in the quarterfinal before the match shifted following a red card to Breel Embolo, according to Ogden. England were five minutes from the final before Argentina scored twice late to win the semifinal 2-1.
Messi remains the main man for Argentina. Ogden noted that the 39-year-old is level with Kylian Mbappé on eight goals in the Golden Boot race. Lautaro Martínez has scored three times at the tournament, while Enzo Fernández has two goals, with both scoring against England.
Where the final could turn
ESPN analyst Sam Tighe framed the matchup as Spain’s control against Argentina’s more frantic style. He pointed to Spain’s semifinal win over France, where Rodri and Fabián Ruiz helped limit Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé.
Tighe wrote that Argentina are unlikely to give Spain the same midfield comfort France allowed. He said Lionel Scaloni’s team crowd the middle to connect quickly with Messi and use small fouls to break opponents’ rhythm.
Predictions and odds
Seven of ESPN’s eight listed writers picked Spain to win. Jeff Carlisle, Bill Connelly, Rob Dawson, James Olley, Mark Ogden, Beth Lindop and Gabriele Marcotti all backed Spain by varying scorelines. Lizzy Becherano was the lone panelist to choose Argentina, predicting a 2-1 win.
ESPN listed DK Sports odds, correct at publication, with Spain at +115 and Argentina at +285. A draw after 90 minutes was listed at +200.
If the panel is right, Spain will add a World Cup title to its European crown. If Messi and Argentina find another late escape, the holders will leave New Jersey as back-to-back world champions.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.