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The lineups for the World Cup final have been confirmed as Spain stick with their tried and tested formula but Argentina opt to ring the changes.
The current European champions and the reigning world champions are going head to head in a fascinating encounter in New Jersey, as this historically large World Cup plays its 104th and final match.
Spain are the favourites after brilliantly beating France 2-0 in a surprisingly one-sided semi-final, so perhaps it is no surprise that Luis de la Fuente has opted for an unchanged starting XI from that fixture.
Ahead of the final, De La Fuente had said that Tottenham full-back Pedro Porro was dealing with muscle tightness but he is deemed fit to start and Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal has had his workload managed throughout this World Cup following hamstring and groin injuries but he too is fine to play from the off.
Yamal will be joined in attack by Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo, while Man City defensive midfielder Rodri – described as the “real player of the tournament” by our Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly – captains the side.
Lionel Messi, of course, captains Argentina as they hunt back-to-back titles but Lionel Scaloni makes three changes from the side that started the semi-final victory over England.
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Pedro Porro is fit to start for Spain despite muscle tightness (Reuters)
Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone and Leandro Paredes all drop to the bench, with right-back Gonzalo Montiel and midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Nico Gonzalez starting instead.
Messi’s partner up top will once more be Julian Alvarez, while the much-maligned duo of Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez are the starting centre-backs again.
Teams for Spain v Argentina in World Cup 2026 final
Spain XI: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri; Baena Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Olmo.
Subs: Raya, Garcia, Pubill, Grimaldo, Garcia, Llorente, Merino, Gavi, Zubimendi, Pedri, Torres, Pino, Williams. Munoz, Iglesias.
Argentina XI: E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Lis. Martinez, Tagliafico; Gonzalez, Enzo, De Paul, Mac Allister; Alvarez, Messi.
Subs: Musso, Rulli, Senesi, Otamendi, Medina, Molina, Paredes, Barco, Lo Celso, Palacios, Almada, Simeone, Paz, Lopez, Martinez.
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