New York City: Argentina prepares for World Cup final against Spain

By Arjun Nair / 18.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 18 July 2026 — 4 min read

Argentina’s path to the final

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, captain Lionel Messi, and goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez met with the media in New York City on Friday, two days before Argentina‘s second consecutive World Cup final appearance. Few anticipated Argentina would reach this stage, especially with an older core of players and a 39-year-old talisman. However, the team delivered a series of intense and unpredictable performances, culminating in a notable semi-final victory over England, setting up a match against Spain on Sunday.

Argentina‘s journey to the final has been described as chaotic and highly emotional. Scaloni, Martinez, and Messi all discussed this aspect on Friday. Scaloni highlighted the team’s origins, stating, “The best thing we have is that we’ve grown up in rough places playing ball. Playing soccer and not thinking about what other people say. The pressure stays to the side, it’s not worth worrying about.” He emphasized the need to continue playing as they have since the beginning, focusing on the game without dwelling on potential outcomes.

Messi echoed these sentiments, adding, “We grew up playing football with a lot of passion and with a lot of desire, all the time, wherever – in the school, the street, we played with little teams in our neighborhoods. We never thought of pressure. It always felt natural, the act of playing, of competing.” He also noted the team sport aspect, acknowledging that the opponent always plays well and that winning is not always guaranteed. Messi shared a personal lesson from his youth: “But since we were little, I learned that you lose more than you win. That made me grow a lot as a person and player.”

Unlike Argentina, Spain‘s approach to the tournament has been characterized by a more controlled style of play, centered on possession and a well-organized defense. This contrasts sharply with Argentina‘s more unpredictable route to the final. Spain, along with England and France, were largely expected to reach the final, while Argentina, despite being a dominant side, may not have faced the same level of expectation.

Facing Spain in the final

Argentina will face a formidable challenge in Spain, a team that efficiently defeated the World Cup favorites in the semi-finals. Scaloni expressed his concerns about the Spanish side, stating, “If Spain leaves the hotel, I am already concerned. Once they are on the bus and they leave the hotel, I am concerned. They are a great team. Everything concerns me about Spain.”

While Argentina are the defending World Cup champions, and Spain last won the tournament in 2010, Scaloni does not believe Argentina‘s recent experience provides a significant advantage. He pointed out that Spain also has players who have competed on major global stages. “They also have players who have played in globally big stages,” Scaloni noted. “And they are top players for their teams. So when it comes to pressure, when the ball starts rolling, players forget about this and they just focus on playing.” He mentioned Spain‘s participation in a Euro final and a Nations League final as evidence of their considerable experience, concluding, “I don’t think being in a final again plays in our favor.”

This final marks Argentina‘s second consecutive appearance, highlighting their consistent performance on the world stage. The team’s journey has been marked by a blend of raw passion and strategic play, qualities that have allowed them to overcome significant hurdles and reach the pinnacle of the tournament once more.

Messi’s legacy and the final match

The upcoming match on Sunday could potentially be Lionel Messi’s final game in an Argentina jersey. Both Martinez and Scaloni have been frequently asked about Messi’s legacy and his current feelings throughout the tournament. Scaloni initially deflected a reporter’s question about Messi’s state, suggesting they ask Messi directly, but then acknowledged the profound significance of this final for the legendary player.

Scaloni paid a heartfelt tribute to Messi, describing him as “pure history” and a “legend.” He emphasized the remarkable achievement of reaching a final at 39 years of age, urging everyone to appreciate Messi‘s presence while he is still actively playing. Scaloni drew a parallel with the late Diego Maradona, stating, “With Diego [Maradona], we miss him. But Messi is still with us. He is the history, he is the legend, and together with this group of people who have brought us these wonderful years, we’ll always remember him.” This sentiment underscores the deep respect and admiration the coach and the team hold for their captain as they head into the decisive match.

The press conferences for both Argentina and Spain took place on July 17, 2026, in New York, United States, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Source: theguardian.com