Finalissima 2026: Spain & Argentina set for pre-World Cup showdown
The upcoming Finalissima between Spain and Argentina on March 27 will provide a useful insight into two of the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.
For fans inclined towards betting, Spain are rated as 9/2 shots to emerge victorious this summer, while Argentina can be backed at 17/2.
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Their betting experts will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the clash between the European Champions and the Copa America winners as they strive to lay down an early World Cup marker.
With that in mind, read on as we preview what promises to be an informative showdown in Qatar between two of the best teams in international football.
Introducing the Finalissima
The Finalissima was previously called the European/South American Nations Cup. Scheduling issues resulted in the fixture being played on just two occasions.
France defeated Uruguay 2-0 in 1985, while Argentina triumphed 5-4 on penalties against Denmark after a 1-1 draw eight years later.
The competition was subsequently shelved until 2022 when Argentina secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Italy at Wembley Stadium.
They will now attempt to make it three-in-row, but are unlikely to find things easy against the team currently ranked number one in the world by FIFA.
How the teams qualified
Spain secured their spot in the Finalissima after delivering one of the most dominant campaigns in European Championship history.
Their 2-1 victory over England in the final was their seventh win at the tournament. No other team had previously achieved the feat at the European Championship.
Spain have continued to excel since then, reaching the final of the 2024/25 Nations League and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup without breaking sweat.
Argentina booked their place in the final courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the decisive game of the 2024 Copa America tournament in Miami.
They made history by claiming their 16th continental title, consolidating their status as the tournament’s most successful nation of all time.
Star forward Lionel Messi will undoubtedly garner plenty of attention as he continues his preparations for a final tilt at the World Cup this summer.
Implications for the 2026 World Cup
The two sides will be eager to claim victory in the Finalissima to send a message to the world about their aspirations for the bigger test that lies ahead.
There is nothing to separate the two teams heading into the game, with each side recording six victories in their previous 14 meetings (D2).
Spain triumphed 6-1 in a friendly in the most recent meeting in 2018, although Argentina fielded a weakened team on that occasion.
Both teams will be eager to demonstrate their wellbeing when they go head-to-head in the Finalissima at the Lusail Stadium on March 27.
Spain have been handed a favourable group stage draw in North America, while Argentina should also have little difficulty progressing to the knockout stage.
While the Finalissima will ultimately have little bearing on the outcome this summer, both teams will hope to garner a psychological advantage by lifting the trophy.
Spain have received widespread praise for their performances over the past few years, and confidence is rarely in short supply whenever they play.
Argentina have arguably gone under the radar a little, and may feel aggrieved that they are not rated as favourites to retain the World Cup this summer.
Those underlying narratives set up what should be a fiercely fought Finalissima clash in Qatar.
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