​Four years after their triumph in Lusail Stadium at Qatar 2022, Argentina have the chance to become only the third side to defend a World Cup crown.They may be led by the legendary Lionel Messi, they may be champions of South America – indeed, the holders may well be the comeback kings of the tournament – but they are not the favourites.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStanding in their way of claiming a first for more than half a century, since Brazil defended their title in 1962, are the European champions – and pre-tournament favourites – Spain.Al Jazeera Sport looks at why the defending champions are seen as the outsiders for Sunday’s final and what chance they have to upset the odds.Spain came into the 2026 edition as the number one ranked team in the world and the favourites to lift the trophy, but they lost that mantle mid-campaign to the attacking endeavour of France.The star turns of Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele were ably supported by Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola, with the latter’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate and starlet of French football, Desire Doue, demoted to his supporting act.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGoing into the semifinal clash between the European giants, the French were firmly the favourites to lift the title – as long as they could see off the Spanish.They could not.Spain did not give the French a sniff in their 2-0 win and Mbappe, Dembele and co ploughed lone and desperate furrows in their limited attempts to lay the foundations for their team to find their footing.Having been held by debutants Cape Verde in their opening game of the tournament, the spotlight was on the Spanish thereafter.They limped past Uruguay, Portugal and Belgium and failed to fire overall – until they met the French.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow Spain’s confidence is restored – if it was ever even in doubt.Spain’s Lamine Yamal fouls France’s Kylian Mbappe during their semifinal [File: AFP]The question is perhaps easier answered in terms of where are their weaknesses? There don’t appear to be many and that is why their underwhelming performances up to the semifinal were such a surprise.Coming into the tournament, coach Luis de la Fuente attempted to rally his troops – and the country – by talking of a “united” Spain.No Real Madrid player was named in the Spanish squad for the tournament, which threw open the question about the credentials of the European champions’ current set-up.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEight of the 26-man squad play for Barcelona, who last season defended the domestic title with ease.“For me, the greatest team there is – the very ‌‌greatest – is the Spanish national team,” de la Fuente said.“I don’t look at where players come from or their background. What matters are Spanish players who are proud to represent their country’s national team and to be part of a united nation.”It is not only a Catalonia