The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup final between reigning champion Argentina and European titleholder Spain has drawn varied predictions from former football stars, with a slight majority favoring the Spanish side, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday. The clash in New Jersey marks a historic encounter as the South American giants attempt to secure back-to-back world titles against a resurgent European powerhouse.
Sports analytics provider Opta currently lists Spain as the favorite, giving Luis de la Fuente’s squad a 59.56 percent probability of lifting the trophy. Spain is seeking its second World Cup title, 16 years after its maiden victory in South Africa. Meanwhile, Argentina aims to become only the third nation in football history to win consecutive World Cup tournaments, heavily relying on their collective resilience.
Former England striker Michael Owen identified Spain as the most deserving team of the tournament. Speaking to The Straits Times, he praised their collective approach, noting that while they may lack standout individual superstars compared to other nations, their brave and courageous ball movement sets them apart on the pitch.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Swedish international, also expects Spain to dictate the tempo of the final. The Fox Sports pundit stated that Spain handled France effectively in the semifinals and should be able to manage Argentina. He argued that since Argentina does not rely primarily on a counterattacking style, Spain will likely impose its collective passing game and dominate possession. Former England captain John Terry echoed these sentiments, suggesting Spain possesses too much quality for the South American side. Former Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas also expressed deep confidence on social media that his country would secure a second star on its jersey.
Despite the strong backing for Spain, several prominent figures believe Argentina remains highly dangerous. Alan Shearer backed the reigning champions, emphasizing their mental toughness on The Rest is Football podcast. He noted that Argentina has consistently found ways to win despite facing intense pressure throughout the tournament. Shearer added that having Lionel Messi on the pitch means Argentina always retains a realistic chance of victory.
Football analyst Micah Richards suggested that Argentina could exploit a low-block transition strategy, absorbing pressure deep in their own half before rapidly launching attacks through forwards like Julian Alvarez. Gary Lineker, while maintaining his pre-tournament prediction for Spain, admitted the final is essentially a balanced contest due to Argentina`s gritty style of play. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined to pick a winner, jokingly stating that his preferred teams tend to lose and he simply hopes for a highly entertaining match.
