19/07/2026 14:16 - Deportes
World football will experience a historic day on July 19, 2026, when the Argentine national team—the reigning champions of CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation)—faces Spain, the reigning champions of UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations), in the World Cup final. The venue will be the imposing MetLife Stadium in New York (home to NFL teams and a key venue for the 2026 tournament), marking the first time the reigning champions of both confederations meet in a World Cup final.
The match, which is projected to be refereed by Slavko Vinčić, pits an Argentine side—affectionately known locally as 'La Scaloneta' due to their coach Lionel Scaloni—that arrives as the tournament's top scorer with 19 goals, against a Spain that boasts the tournament's best defense, with 6 clean sheets (matches without conceding a goal) and only 1 goal conceded in the entire competition.
Messi's Legacy: Lionel Messi is preparing to play his third World Cup final, a historic milestone that matches him with world football legends like Brazil's Cafú. The hopes of millions of Argentines rest on the captain to defend the title won in 2022.
The history between both national teams shows absolute equilibrium. In 14 matches played, Argentina and Spain share 6 victories each and have drawn on 2 occasions.
The last World Cup clash between them dates back to July 12, 1966, when Argentina won 2 to 1 in an unforgettable duel. Will 'La Scaloneta' repeat history almost 60 years later?
The city that never sleeps dressed in light blue and white. On July 18, 2026, around 20,000 Argentine fans took over the iconic Times Square for a massive 'banderazo'—a traditional Argentine fan rally where thousands gather with flags, drums, and songs—on the eve of the final. The event featured former footballers like Maximiliano Moralez and Sebastián Battaglia, along with typical food stalls and a strong local security operation.
The euphoria is such that ticket resale for the final exceeded $7,000. Meanwhile, coach Lionel Scaloni remained focused, stating he will not change his personality or his way of working whether he wins or loses the defining match.
Even from the world of motorsports, the emotion was felt. Argentine Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto showed all his support for the National Team before starting 11th at the Belgian F1 Grand Prix this same weekend, proving that Argentine sentiment transcends borders and sports. #F1
| Data | Argentina | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Previous victories | 6 | 6 |
| Goals in the tournament | 19 (Top scorer) | - |
| Goals conceded | - | 1 (Least beaten) |
| World Cup finals for Messi | 3 | - |
Source: Imago.com.ar
Alfredo S. Quiroga
