The FIFA World Cup final is here, and football's biggest prize comes down to two nations with very different stories to tell.
Spain arrive as deserved favourites after producing the tournament's most complete football, conceding just one goal on their way to the final and overcoming several of the competition's strongest sides.
Standing in their way is an Argentina team that has repeatedly found a way through difficult moments - and one final opportunity for Lionel Messi to create another unforgettable World Cup memory.
Ahead of Sunday's showdown, 11 Striver writers have made their predictions for the final.
Patrick Finlay, Robert Osborne, Sam Bunce, Precious Damian, Sulayman Salahudeen, Mark Kinyanjui, Selim Ben Hmida, Alex Younge, Jude Mercer, William Barker and Krishnan Iyer have all submitted their picks, predicting the winner, scoreline, first goalscorer, Player of the Match and the tournament's individual awards, alongside one bold prediction each.
While Spain are the clear favourites among our panel, there is still plenty of debate over how the final will unfold. Some expect Spain's control and structure to prove decisive, while others believe Argentina's experience and resilience could produce one final surprise.
Here's how the Striver.Football team sees the 2026 FIFA World Cup final unfolding.
Striver Writers' World Cup Final Consensus
| Prediction | Consensus |
|---|---|
| Predicted World Cup winners | Spain (9), Argentina (2) |
| Most common scoreline | Spain 2-1 Argentina |
| Most common first goalscorer | Mikel Oyarzabal (6 votes) |
| Most selected Player of the Match | Rodri (3 votes) |
| Golden Ball | Lionel Messi (9 votes) |
| Golden Boot | Lionel Messi (6), Kylian Mbappe (5) |
| Golden Glove | Unai Simon (11 votes) |
| Best Young Player | Lamine Yamal (7), Pau Cubarsi (4) |
Spain Backed To Complete Their Rise
Spain enter the World Cup final as favourites for a reason, and that belief is reflected across the Striver panel.
Nine of our 11 writers have backed Luis de la Fuente's side to lift the trophy after a campaign built on control, consistency and defensive excellence.
A common theme among the predictions is Spain's ability to dominate matches through midfield. Rodri's return to full fitness has been viewed as a major advantage, with several writers expecting him to dictate the tempo and limit Argentina's ability to build attacks.
Spain's structure, movement and ability to maintain possession have made them the most difficult team to disrupt throughout the tournament.
The emergence of Lamine Yamal has also been central to the optimism around Spain. The teenager has combined creativity with composure on the biggest stage, while the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo have provided the movement and quality required to unlock defences.
However, the panel also recognises the challenge Argentina present. The defending champions have repeatedly found solutions in difficult moments, and several writers believe Lionel Messi's presence means they can never be written off.
The expectation is for a competitive final, but the majority believe Spain's balance and control will ultimately prove decisive in their pursuit of a second World Cup title.
World Cup Final predictions
| Writer | Winner | Score | First goalscorer | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Finlay | Spain | 2-0 | Alex Baena | Rodri |
| Robert Osborne | Spain | 2-1 (AET) | Mikel Oyarzabal | Lamine Yamal |
| Sam Bunce | Spain | 2-1 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Rodri |
| Precious Damian | Spain | 2-1 | Mikel Oyarzabal / Dani Olmo | Lamine Yamal |
| Sulayman Salahudeen | Argentina | 2-1 | Julian Alvarez | Julian Alvarez |
| Mark Kinyanjui | Spain | 2-1 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Fabian Ruiz |
| Selim Ben Hmida | Argentina | 2-1 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Enzo Fernandez |
| Alex Younge | Spain | 2-1 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Rodri |
| Jude Mercer | Spain | 2-1 | Lionel Messi | Dani Olmo |
| William Barker | Spain | 2-1 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Lamine Yamal |
| Krishnan Iyer | Spain | 3-2 (AET) | Lionel Messi | Rodri |
But Nobody Is Betting Against Lionel Messi
| Award | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Golden Ball | Lionel Messi (9 votes), Lamine Yamal (1), Kylian Mbappe (1) |
| Golden Boot | Lionel Messi (6), Kylian Mbappe (5) |
| Golden Glove | Unai Simon (11) |
| Best Young Player | Lamine Yamal (7), Pau Cubarsi (4) |
While Spain are the overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy, the belief in Messi's individual brilliance remains almost universal among the writers.
Despite being on the verge of his final World Cup appearance, Messi continues to command respect after another decisive tournament for Argentina. Most contributors believe his influence, creativity and ability to deliver in defining moments could see him claim another major individual honour - even if opinions differ on whether Argentina can complete the ultimate team achievement.
The Golden Ball race is the clearest reflection of Messi's standing. Nine writers have backed the Argentina captain to be named the tournament's best player, with many highlighting his goals, assists and leadership throughout the campaign.
The Golden Boot vote is far closer, with Messi and Mbappe receiving almost equal support. Meanwhile, Unai Simon is the unanimous choice for the Golden Glove after Spain's remarkable defensive record, while the Best Young Player award is expected to be decided between Barcelona's teenage stars Lamine Yamal and Cubarsi.
Read More: Ranked: The 10 Greatest FIFA World Cup Finals Of All Time
Read More: Spain vs Argentina: Young Players To Watch In The World Cup 2026 Final
Our Writers' Bold Predictions For The Final
The World Cup final rarely follows the script, and our writers are expecting plenty of drama in the biggest match of the tournament.
From potential red cards and late goals to Messi creating history and Spain completing a dominant campaign, here are the bold predictions ahead of the final.
| Writer | Bold prediction |
|---|---|
| Patrick Finlay | Argentina receive multiple red cards, including members of the bench |
| Robert Osborne | Both teams finish with 10 men |
| Sam Bunce | Both sides score from the penalty spot |
| Precious Damian | Argentina see a red card in extra time |
| Sulayman Salahudeen | Argentina become the first team since 1962 to retain the World Cup |
| Mark Kinyanjui | Argentina concede a penalty through Romero or Otamendi |
| Selim Ben Hmida | Argentina complete another dramatic comeback |
| Alex Younge | Spain win comfortably despite the scoreline |
| Jude Mercer | Messi scores first before Spain complete a comeback |
| William Barker | Messi will score to extend his World Cup goals record, but Spain will win with a late goal. |
| Krishnan Iyer | Messi scores in his final World Cup appearance before Spain win after extra time |
The Final Verdict
The Striver.Football writers are largely in agreement on one thing: this World Cup final has the potential to define an era.
Spain arrive as the team that has looked the most complete throughout the tournament, combining defensive discipline, midfield control and attacking creativity. Their rise under De la Fuente has placed them on the verge of another historic achievement and nine writers believe they will complete that journey.
But Argentina have shown throughout this tournament that they cannot be dismissed. They have found solutions in difficult moments, carried the experience of defending their title and still possess the greatest match-winner of his generation in Lionel Messi.
Whether it is Spain's new generation taking the next step or Messi producing one final World Cup miracle, Sunday's final promises to deliver a fitting conclusion to the biggest tournament in football.
One thing is certain: history will be made.
