- Spain vs Argentina lineups: Lionel Messi starts for La Albiceleste as they face Lamine Yamal’s La Roja in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
- The blockbuster showdown will be played at MetLife Stadium tonight, with kick-off scheduled for 10:00 pm EAT.
- Argentina are aiming to defend the World Cup crown they won in 2022, while Spain are chasing their first world title since lifting the trophy in 2010.
Lionel Messi starts tonight for Argentina as they take on Lamine Yamal’s Spain in the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Making his sixth appearance at the World Cup, joining Cristiano Ronaldo as one of only two players to reach that milestone, Messi’s aim is to help Argentina defend their title and become only the third nation, alongside Brazil and Italy, to win back-to-back World Cup championships.
Messi also has a chance to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer after Kylian Mbappe of France overtook him with a brace against England.
ALSO READ: Spain vs Argentina: 2026 World Cup final preview, team news, current form & h2h
Sitting one goal behind, Messi will need two goals tonight to reclaim the top spot while also boosting his chances in the Golden Boot race, with Mbappe now leading on 10 goals and Messi on eight.
Having become the only player to score in every knockout round of the 2022 World Cup, Messi will once again be looking to find the back of the net in what could be his final World Cup, potentially hanging up his boots with two World Cup titles to his name.
Official Spain vs Argentina lineups
Argentina start with Emiliano Martinez in goal, while the centre-back pairing of Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez remains unchanged.
Gonzalo Montiel replaces Nahuel Molina at right-back after his impressive impact off the bench, while Nicolas Tagliafico retains his place at left-back ahead of Facundo Medina.
The midfield features Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister in the centre, with Rodrigo De Paul and Nico Gonzalez providing width and tireless industry on the flanks.
Lionel Messi spearheads the attack alongside Julian Alvarez, with Montiel the only change from the semifinal.
- Argentina starting XI vs Spain (4-4-2): Emiliano Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico González; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.
CLICK LINK TO PLACE YOUR LIVE BET ON THIS GAME!
Spain start with Unai Simón in goal, with the centre-back pairing of Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi anchoring the defence. Marc Cucurella retains the left-back role, while Pedro Porro offers attacking impetus from the right.
The midfield revolves around Rodri, who dictates the tempo, with Fabian Ruiz alongside him adding composure and an impressive passing range.
Further forward, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Álex Baena provide creativity, movement, and flair behind striker Mikel Oyarzabal, who has emerged as Spain’s in-form goalscorer.
- Spain starting XI vs Argentina (4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal.
The stakes could not be higher, with monumental history awaiting whoever lifts the trophy.
For Argentina, victory would secure a legendary back-to-back World Cup triumph, a feat not achieved in the men’s game since Brazil in 1962, while also providing the perfect fairytale ending to Lionel Messi’s international career.
Defeat, however, would bring a heartbreaking end to one of football’s greatest eras.
For Spain, lifting the trophy would complete a historic European Championship and World Cup double, officially ushering in a new global powerhouse.
A loss, meanwhile, would deny a dazzling young generation a place among football’s immortals.
Their most recent meeting came in an international friendly in March 2018, when a clinical Spain thrashed Argentina 6-1 in Madrid, inspired by an Isco hat-trick.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026