How do Spain and Argentina stack up? World Cup final teams by the numbers.

The 2026 men's World Cup final pits Spain against Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking the culmination of a 39-day tournament that has delivered heartbreak, joy, and controversy. Forty-eight nations competed in this expanded FIFA World Cup, with Spain aiming for its second title and Argentina seeking to defend its championship.

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Spain came into the tournament as the favorite.

Spain has been a dominant force, entering the final with an impressive 37-game unbeaten streak. "Spain came into the tournament as the favorite," Paul Tenorio of The Athletic told CBS News. However, Argentina presents a formidable challenge, having won three consecutive international tournaments. "Argentina is Argentina. They've won three consecutive international tournaments going into this World Cup, and they've done it with the best player of all time, [Lionel] Messi being kind of the heartbeat of the team," Tenorio added.

Spain's journey to the final showcases a generational shift. While they lifted their only World Cup trophy in 2010, the current squad features emerging talents like 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi and 21-year-old Dean Huijsen. Lamine Yamal, at just 19, has been a standout player, having also led Spain to the 2024 Euro title. "I think that I have very high expectations," Yamal told CBS News' Jon Wertheim. "I see that the country is excited. I am very excited…. I feel good. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm going to enjoy it a lot."

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Argentina is Argentina. They've won three consecutive international tournaments going into this World Cup, and they've done it with the best player of all time, [Lionel] Messi being kind of the heartbeat of the team. You can tell that the Argentina players are playing for Messi.

Argentina, on the other hand, is described as playing "for Messi," with the team's performance deeply intertwined with their star player. This dynamic adds another layer of narrative to the final, as the team rallies around their legendary captain in pursuit of consecutive World Cup glory.

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I think that I have very high expectations. I think it's been a long time since Spain was a serious contender to win the World Cup. I see that the country is excited. I am very excited…. I feel good. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm going to enjoy it a lot.