World Cup Final: Spain vs. Argentina official line-ups, Juventus player starts
Quick summary
Official line-ups for the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina have been announced, with a Juventus player included in the starting XI.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceJuventus winger Nico Gonzalez starts the 2026 World Cup Final with Lionel Messi for Argentina, with Lautaro Martinez and Nico Paz on the bench against Lamine Yamal’s Spain.
It kicks off at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
Argentina are defending the title they won in 2022 in Qatar, although their path to the Final has been scrappy, with a series of comeback and late victories.
Lautaro Martinez was Capocannoniere in Serie A this season with Inter and scored the last-gasp winner against England in the semi-final , but he is once again dropped in favour of Julian Alvarez.
Como star Nico Paz is also on the bench, but the big change is seeing Juventus winger Nico Gonzalez chosen ahead of Giuliano Simeone – brother to Torino striker Giovanni, and born in Italy when his father Diego was at Lazio.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 15: Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina scores his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) Spain have been getting stronger as the tournament went on, drawing the opener with Cape Verde, needing late goals to get the better of Uruguay, Portugal and Belgium.
They put on a masterclass to sweep favourites France aside 2-0 in the semi-final, and Mikel Oyarzabal has five goals in the World Cup so far.
There were a few concerns over Lamine Yamal’s left thigh, but the Barcelona talent has shaken off the knock to play with Dani Olmo and Alex Baena.
Former Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz is once more picked instead of Pedri.
If Argentina win, they will go level with Italy and Germany by winning the World Cup four times, behind only Brazil with five.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates with teammates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Spain vs. Argentina line-ups Spain: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Argentina: E Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister, Nico Gonzalez; Messi, J Alvarez
19-07-2026 20:00
Final
MetLife Stadium
Spain
Argentina
vs
Season Analytics
Spain
Positions
Argentina
SEASON TOTAL ESP HOME 3 1 0 6 1 0 Last matches 14-07-2026
France
W
0 - 2
10-07-2026
Belgium
W
2 - 1
06-07-2026
Portugal
W
0 - 1
02-07-2026
Austria
W
3 - 0
27-06-2026
Uruguay
W
0 - 1
10-07-2026
Belgium
W
2 - 1
02-07-2026
Austria
W
3 - 0
21-06-2026
Saudi Arabia
W
4 - 0
15-06-2026
Cape Verde
D
0 - 0
SEASON TOTAL ARG AWAY 2 0 0 7 0 0 Last matches
1 - 2
W
England
15-07-2026
3 - 1
W
Switzerland
12-07-2026
3 - 2
W
Egypt
07-07-2026
3 - 2
W
Cape Verde
03-07-2026
1 - 3
W
Jordan
28-06-2026
1 - 2
W
England
15-07-2026
1 - 3
W
Jordan
28-06-2026
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What happened
The official team sheets for the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina have been released ahead of kickoff. A Juventus player features in the starting lineup, highlighting club representation on the biggest international stage. The line-ups confirm tactical choices and key selections for both national teams as they compete for the title.
Chance analysis
Official line-up announcements directly inform pre-match prediction models by confirming available personnel and tactical shape. The inclusion of a Juventus player in the starting XI confirms his availability and selection priority. For betting and fantasy markets, these confirmed line-ups are the final piece of information before kickoff and materially affect expected team output.
Confirmed line-ups set the tactical framework and player availability for the World Cup Final, directly affecting match prediction inputs.
Use the confirmed line-ups to update expected goals, formations, and player-level projections for the World Cup Final.