Premier League legend Alan Shearer has offered his take on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup final, backing Argentina to secure victory against Spain. The highly anticipated match between Luis de la Fuente’s Spain and Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina is set to take place on Sunday, July 19, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
While Shearer acknowledged that predicting the outcome is difficult, he emphasized Argentina's fighting spirit. Reflecting on their tournament performance, he noted their ability to overcome deficits, such as being 2-0 down to Egypt and 1-0 down against England. Shearer remarked that regardless of personal preference, the team’s "gutsy" nature is admirable. He further stated that having Lionel Messi on the roster ensures they always remain a threat, leading him to favor Argentina in the final.
Shearer also praised Spain's technical prowess, particularly their performance in the semi-finals against France. He drew comparisons to Spain's 2010 campaign, noting that despite an early tournament struggle against Cape Verde, their ability to manage the game and maintain possession remains exceptional. He stated that he would not be worried about Spain despite any early setbacks, describing their style of play as unbelievable.
In contrast to Shearer’s prediction, Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazario has tipped Spain to win the tournament with ease. The two-time World Cup winner suggested that the championship was always destined to be decided between France or Spain and expects the Spanish side to defeat Argentina convincingly.
Historically, the two nations have met in the FIFA World Cup only once, with Argentina winning 2-1 in 1966. Spain enters the final on an impressive 37-game unbeaten streak, having dominated France 2-0 in their semi-final match. Earlier this year, the two teams were scheduled to meet in the Finalissima in March, but that fixture was canceled due to regional tensions in the Middle East.
Shearer said, as quoted by Tribal Football:“Honestly, I think it's such a difficult one to predict.
But again, they got beaten off Switzerland in 2010, I think, when they won it as well.
