Spain and Argentina have both reached the final of the 2026 World Cup after campaigns marked by outstanding results and balanced performances, setting up a highly anticipated showdown for the current edition's title.

Spain entered the competition as a prominent candidate after winning the 2024 European Championship. They began their campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, before regaining their balance with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, then beat Uruguay 1-0 to top their group with seven points.

Spain continued their strong displays in the knockout stages, defeating Austria 3-0 in the round of 32, then eliminating Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16, before overcoming Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals. They secured their place in the final by beating France 2-0 in the semifinals, maintaining defensive solidity and an upward trajectory throughout the tournament.

In contrast, Argentina, the defending champion, started their campaign with three consecutive wins: 3-0 against Algeria, 2-0 against Austria, and 3-1 against Jordan, achieving a perfect record and topping their group with nine points.

The knockout stages featured great excitement in Argentina's journey. They beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32, then came from behind to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling round of 16 match, before overcoming Switzerland 3-1 in the quarterfinals. They booked their final spot by beating England 2-1 in the semifinals.

Throughout Argentina's campaign, captain Lionel Messi played a decisive role in many matches, either by scoring or assisting, while Spain relied on collective performance and tactical discipline.

All eyes are now on the final showdown between the European champion and the title holder. Spain seeks to reclaim the world title for the second time in its history, while Argentina aims to retain the trophy and add another world title to its record.