Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026

Time: 10:00 PM (Turkey Time)

Introduction

Tomorrow, the UEFA Euro 2024 champions Spain will face former World Cup champions Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford.

Baby Yamal vs Messi

Back in 2007, at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, a young 20-year-old Lionel Messi took part in a charity photoshoot for UNICEF, as Barcelona were one of its sponsors.

During the session, Lionel Messi bathed a few babies, including Lamine Yamal.

No one could have imagined that 19 years later, the baby Lionel Messi bathed would become a World Cup finalist and one of the players expected to receive Messi’s legacy after he retires.

Messi’s Reaction

Today, Fabrizio Romano shared a quote from Messi expressing his reaction to the famous 2007 photo of him bathing baby Lamine Yamal. Messi called it “crazy”, adding:

“That pic with Lamine… it’s something crazy. Life is full of surprises!”

Spain’s 2026 World Cup Fixture

• Group Stage: Spain 0–0 Cape Verde
• Group Stage: Spain 4–0 Saudi Arabia
• Group Stage: Spain 1–0 Uruguay
• Round of 32: Spain 3–0 Austria
• Round of 16: Spain 1–0 Portugal
• Quarter Finals: Spain 2–1 Belgium
• Semi Finals: Spain 2–0 France
• Final: Spain vs Argentina?

Argentina’s 2026 World Cup Fixture

• Group Stage: Argentina 3–0 Algeria
• Group Stage: Argentina 2–0 Austria
• Group Stage: Argentina 3–1 Jordan
• Round of 32: Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde
• Round of 16: Argentina 3–2 Egypt
• Quarter Finals: Argentina 3–1 Switzerland
• Semi Finals: Argentina 2–1 England
• Final: Argentina vs Spain?

Spain vs Argentina Predictions

According to Polymarket, Spain have a 60% chance of winning, while South American giants Argentina have a 40%chance of lifting the trophy.

Do not fool yourself with these stats and try to bet—you have a high chance of losing your money!

My Perspective

In my perspective, the match will be balanced in both the first and second halves. The match will be determined in extra time.

Players like Messi and Yamal will shine, while Rodri and Mac Allister will act as the bridge between defence and attack.

Argentina will win the match, with Messi scoring a single goal in the last minute, sealing the victory against Spain and lifting the World Cup trophy for the second time before he retires from the national team.