Spain and Argentina, the top two teams in the Fifa rankings, are set to face off in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday. The match brings together two footballing powerhouses with contrasting styles and recent histories. Here we break down the key factors that could decide the game, from the referee to historical omens.
Who is the referee?
Slavko Vincic will become the first Slovene to referee a World Cup final. The 46-year-old officiated the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley, where Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0, and the Euro 2024 semi-final in which Spain beat France 2-1. His first World Cup match was Argentina’s opening loss to Saudi Arabia in 2022. At the current tournament, Vincic showed Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié a red card for covering his mouth in the 95th minute against Mexico. He has averaged 2.33 yellow cards per game.
Advantage Spain?
Thirteen of the past 14 World Cup and European Championship finals – men’s and women’s – have been won by the side who played their semi-final first. On the other occasion, the semi-finals were played on the same day. Spain’s men started the streak by beating Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final. Argentina also benefited from extra rest in 2022, having four days to France’s three. This time, Spain have had an extra day’s rest.
Staying away
No Argentinian president has attended a national team World Cup match for 36 years, and current president Javier Milei will not break that streak. He has watched all seven games from his presidential residence, telling a Buenos Aires radio station there is “no way” he is travelling to New Jersey. The superstition dates back to 1990 when Carlos Menem visited the Argentina squad before their shock opening loss to Cameroon. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, and King Felipe VI plan to attend.
History beckoning
An Argentina victory would make them the third country to win back-to-back World Cups and the first this century. Italy won in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. If Spain triumph, they would become the fourth men’s side to hold both the Euros and the World Cup simultaneously, after West Germany (1972, 1974), France (1998, 2000), and Spain themselves (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012).
Attack v defence?
Argentina have scored the most goals of any team (19) by some margin, with Spain in fourth on 14. However, Spain have conceded the fewest goals (1), while Argentina have let in seven.
Rings for the winners
In a nod to US sports tradition, the winners will be presented with rings. Thirty rings will be made for the world champions, with an additional 1,996 available for public sale. The design features a mini World Cup trophy on one side, while the other will “reflect the identity of the winning team”, as per Fifa’s website. Players and coaches will receive temporary rings initially, with bespoke rings customised and presented later.
Cancelled Finalissima
The sides were scheduled to meet in the Finalissima in Qatar this year, but the match was called off due to the war in the Middle East. Uefa stated: “After much discussion between Uefa and the organising authorities in Qatar, we can announce that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar on 27 March.” No alternative venue was agreed upon.
Who needs club coaching experience?
The final will be contested by two managers without top-division club experience. Luis de la Fuente, dismissed after 11 games at third-division Alavés, has coached Spain at various age groups since 2013. Lionel Scaloni has primarily managed the Argentinian national team, aside from six matches with the Under-20s. Both have already won the Euros, Copa América, or World Cup, demonstrating that elite club experience is not mandatory for international success.
Minutes on the pitch
Spain may be fresher, having finished all their games in 90 minutes. Argentina have played extra time twice and logged 794 minutes compared to Spain’s 717. In Qatar, Argentina also played an extra 30 minutes in the quarter-final, raising questions about energy levels in a squad that is four years older.
Rare outdoor match for Spain
While temperatures are not expected to be extreme, the National Weather Service issued an air-quality alert due to wildfire smoke from Canada. The New York Office of Emergency Management reported “very unhealthy” air-quality levels in the city on Thursday, but conditions have improved. Spain have played only one of their seven matches in a fully outdoor stadium, while Argentina have played three times outdoors, including two games where temperatures reached 32C.
World Cup history
The sides have met once at the World Cup, with Argentina winning 2-1 in 1966. Luis Artime scored both goals for the South Americans.
