After about a month of competition, 46 teams have successively stopped, including the three co-host countries Canada, Mexico and the United States, along with big names in world football such as Brazil and Germany.
Now, only the reigning world champion Argentina and the reigning European champion Spain are present in the final in New Jersey, where the best team in the world will be determined.
Spain
La Roja started their 2026 World Cup campaign not very smoothly when they were unexpectedly held to a 0-0 draw by Cabo Verde. However, after that stumble, they quietly but bravely moved forward. Luis de la Fuente's team only conceded one goal throughout the tournament, in the 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals.
All doubts about Spain's ability to go deep were dispelled after a convincing 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals in Dallas. Although underestimated when Les Bleus showed impressive form from the beginning of the tournament, La Roja still created a superior performance to affirm the class of the EURO 2024 champion.
Mikel Oyarzabal continues to prove the value of a "silent hero". The Real Sociedad striker scored 5 goals on the journey to bring Spain to the final.
It was Oyarzabal who scored the decisive goal to help La Roja defeat England in the EURO 2024 final in Berlin. At this World Cup, he continued to maintain his form with 3 goals right from the group stage, making a great contribution to bringing the team to the final match. Not possessing the reputation like many teammates, but the 29-year-old striker once again proved his value with decisive goals.
Argentina
In theory, Argentina has a fairly favorable path when they do not have to face any team in the top 15 FIFA until the semi-finals, where they face England. However, the reality is completely opposite.
Cabo Verde dragged Argentina into extra time in the round of 32, before accepting a 2-3 defeat. In the round of 16, Egypt reacted strongly, saying that VAR decisions contributed to them losing to Argentina with a score of 2-3.
In the quarter-finals, Switzerland had a chance to drag the match into a penalty shootout, even potentially creating a shock, but Breel Embolo's red card changed the situation. In the semi-finals, England opened the score before Argentina scored 2 consecutive late goals to complete the comeback. That was not an easy journey, but also a clear proof of the bravery of Lionel Scaloni's army.
At the age of 39, Lionel Messi is still the "soul" in Argentina's playing style. El Pulga not only dispels all doubts about his ability to participate in the tournament but also continues to play the leading role of the national team.
Messi entered the final with 8 goals, equaling Kylian Mbappe's record in the Golden Boot race. However, Argentina's success does not only come from their captain.
Lautaro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez also continuously shined in important moments. Lautaro scored 3 goals, Enzo scored two goals, in which both scored in the 2-1 victory over England in the semi-finals.
