Del Bosque: Argentina is 'pesky,' but Spain is favored in World Cup final

Vicente del Bosque, the coach who led Spain to their sole World Cup title in 2010, believes the current Spanish team is superior to all others in the 2026 tournament. He described Argentina as an "uncomfortable, pesky team" but ultimately favored Spain in the final.

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Argentina is an uncomfortable, pesky team if you allow me the word, they know what they have to do. Just look at the comeback in the semifinal against England. I see the final as favorable to Spain, but they will have to take into account some things about the Argentines due to their discomfort and experience.

Del Bosque praised Spain's consistent performance, stating they controlled games and offered few chances to opponents. "If we have to talk about something, it's about Spain," he said, highlighting their dominance and confidence throughout the competition.

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Our team has had a composure at all times that other teams have not had. It has played well, it has had control of the game and has barely given the opponents chances to score. If we have to talk about something, it's about Spain.

While acknowledging the generational clash between Lionel Messi and Spain's Lamine Yamal, Del Bosque expressed a nuanced view of Yamal's current impact. "He is a very attractive player. He has everything to be an excellent player and he will be. It's a pleasure to watch him: the depth, the dribbling, the way he opens up the field... and precisely because of what is always expected of him, we also expected a little more now," he commented.

“

He is a very attractive player. He has everything to be an excellent player and he will be. It's a pleasure to watch him: the depth, the dribbling, the way he opens up the field... and precisely because of what is always expected of him, we also expected a little more now.

Reflecting on Spain's sustained success, Del Bosque attributed it to a strong development structure. "Something must have been done right in Spain when we are there in both men's and women's football," he noted. He pointed to excellent coaching education, youth competitions, and a functional infrastructure as key factors in their enduring footballing prowess. The coach also emphasized the consolidation of a playing style based on possession and dominance, with all players contributing to an "extraordinary job."

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Something must have been done right in Spain when we are there in both men's and women's football. There has been very good work in the training of coaches, in the youth categories, in youth and cadet competitions, many matches are played. There is a structure and it works.