Spain and Argentina meet in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium (3 p.m. ET), and both projected lineups are close to settled. Luis de la Fuente is expected to name an unchanged XI from the 2-0 semifinal win over France — the biggest storyline being who’s not in it: Pedri, dropped for the Rodri–Fabián Ruiz double pivot two games ago, and Nico Williams, back from injury but likely a bench weapon behind Álex Baena.
Lionel Scaloni, who rotated against England, has two genuine decisions: Rodrigo De Paul (who transformed the semifinal off the bench) or Giuliano Simeone in midfield, and Julián Álvarez or semifinal-winner Lautaro Martínez alongside Messi — with Scaloni historically preferring to hold Lautaro back as the late hammer. The projected XIs are below.
2026 World Cup Final
Predicted Lineups: Spain vs. Argentina
Projected 4-3-3s for Sunday’s final — confirmed XIs drop about an hour before kickoff
4-3-3Both Shapes
1Spain Change Max
2Argentina Calls
~2 PMXIs Official (ET)
Spain Predicted XI (4-3-3)
Per the consensus of major outlets as of Saturday, July 18.
| Pos |
Player |
Notes |
| GK |
Unai Simón |
Ever-present behind the record six clean sheets |
| RB |
Pedro Porro |
Scored in the semifinal; won the job from Marcos Llorente |
| CB |
Pau Cubarsí |
|
| CB |
Aymeric Laporte |
|
| LB |
Marc Cucurella |
|
| CM |
Rodri |
Anchors the double pivot |
| CM |
Fabián Ruiz |
Kept his place after Pedri was dropped |
| AM |
Dani Olmo |
|
| RW |
Lamine Yamal |
The 19-year-old faces Messi’s Argentina |
| ST |
Mikel Oyarzabal |
Spain’s top scorer with five goals |
| LW |
Álex Baena |
Holding off the returning Nico Williams |
Argentina Predicted XI (4-3-3)
| Pos |
Player |
Notes |
| GK |
Emiliano Martínez |
The 2022 shootout hero |
| RB |
Nahuel Molina |
|
| CB |
Cristian Romero |
|
| CB |
Lisandro Martínez |
|
| LB |
Nicolás Tagliafico |
|
| CM |
Leandro Paredes |
The holding role |
| CM |
Enzo Fernández |
Scored the semifinal equalizer vs. England |
| CM |
Alexis Mac Allister |
|
| RM/CM |
De Paul or Simeone |
Scaloni’s big call: De Paul changed the semifinal off the bench |
| FW |
Lionel Messi |
His third World Cup final, at 39 |
| ST |
Álvarez or Lautaro |
Lautaro scored the semifinal winner as a sub |
The Pedri Question
De la Fuente’s boldest tournament decision has been benching one of the world’s best midfielders for balance — and two clean sheets later, it’s hard to argue. A recall for the final would be a genuine surprise.
Scaloni the Tinkerer
Argentina’s coach has named a different XI in nearly every knockout game, molding the shape to the opponent. Against Spain’s possession machine, expect the more technical midfield — which favors De Paul over Simeone.
The Lautaro Formula
Twice this tournament Lautaro Martínez has decided a match as a substitute, including the semifinal winner. Scaloni saving his most in-form striker for minute 60 is a feature, not an accident.
The Bottom Line
Expect Spain unchanged and Argentina to make one or two tweaks toward control — De Paul in, and a genuine coin-flip up front. We’ll post the confirmed teams when they drop about an hour before kickoff in our official starting XI tracker, and the full viewing details are in our TV and streaming guide.
