​The World Cup final is almost here, with the big moment just days away. On Sunday, July 19, two teams will step onto the MetLife Stadium pitch to crown a new world champion after a grueling path to glory. Four teams remain in contention: Argentina, France, Spain, and England. They are, in FIFA’s rankings, the four highest-rated nations, which sets the stage for some intensely contested semifinals and a dramatic final.
Before the final on Sunday, France will collide with Spain, while Argentina takes on England in the other semi, each winner earning a coveted place in the showpiece match. Here’s a look at the four potential World Cup final pairings in order of how they might play out on paper.
Indisputably, any final matchup we end up with would be compelling, so ranking them last doesn’t tell the full story. A scenario that would feature France reaching its third consecutive final and England springing a shock to beat Argentina would be notable for its own reasons, even if it wouldn’t spark as much drama as some other combinations.
If France were to face Argentina, you’d have a rematch of the 2022 final, a clash rich with history and familiarity. If England met Spain, you’d get a different dynamic entirely, a meeting between two teams that haven’t shared the field in a high-stakes finish for a while. This hypothetical pairing would feature stars like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane, but there may be more enticing combinations still out there.
Pitting Spain’s 19-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal against one of football’s all-time greats in Lionel Messi would be a marquee showdown, a storybook contest that could define a generation of players. Argentina has navigated its knockout rounds by the skin of its teeth, needing extra time in both the quarterfinals and a previous round against Switzerland. A match between Argentina and Spain could be tightly contested, with Argentina’s stubbornness facing a resilient, low-scoring Spanish defense that has conceded only a single goal all tournament.
That said, the spectacle of 2022’s France-Argentina final was a display of sheer drama and attacking brilliance. There’s no obligation that the most entertaining final is the one that would be played, but in a tournament held once every four years, fans crave moments that leave a lasting impression, not a straightforward, low-scoring verdict. The memory of a 1-0 victory winning the championship in a tight affair is valid and meaningful, yet audiences often seek the kind of high-octane, goal-filled theater that creates lasting headlines and viral moments.
From a purely hypothetical standpoint, a final featuring Mbappé versus Messi would be a storyline for the ages. Mbappé’s speed and precision against Messi’s vision and artistry would present a chess match of the highest order, with France and Argentina both carrying legitimate title aspirations. Argentina’s path this year has shown moments of vulnerability in the knockout rounds, which could tilt the balance in favor of France, making them the favorites in a potentially blockbuster final. Should that matchup materialize, it would be a repeat of a clash that has already produced unforgettable memories, while also offering a fresh chapter that could redefine legacies on the world stage.