MetLife Stadium’s 2026 World Cup Final matchup is mesmerizing. Sunday, July 19’s battle of Spain vs. Argentina is a clash of brand new rivals vying for sport’s most prestigious crown.
Spain is the invincible squad that hasn’t been beaten without a tiebreaker since March 2024. Standing in La Roja’s way is Argentina’s magician Lionel Messi, who crafted yet another comeback win for the defending champs in the semifinals.
Spain is a slight favorite to win the 2026 World Cup Final, inspiring a market of 1.63x returns at PrizePicks compared to Argentina’s lively underdog market of 2.22x. Meanwhile, the Third-Place game predictions at PrizePicks hint at a potentially fun shootout in France vs. England today.
On scroll, we’ll dive into our World Cup Final and Bronze Final previews for this weekend’s closing pair of matches, including predictions for World Cup 2026’s conclusion.
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2026 World Cup Final and Third-Place Game Schedule, Favorites to Win for July 18-19
Before getting into predictions for the 2026 World Cup Final and the preceding Bronze Final, let’s look at the full weekend schedule, including kickoff times and stadiums, winner payouts, markets, and totals for both matches via PrizePicks.
Team Picks markets are settled after full-time (90 minutes + stoppage). Extra time and penalties are not included.
Find all World Cup markets in the PrizePicks app.
France vs. England – World Cup Third-Place Match – July 18, 2026
Date: Saturday, July 18
Kickoff Time: 5 p.m. ET
How to Watch France vs. England: FOX (English) / Telemundo (Spanish)
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium), Miami, Florida
- Winner Payout: France 1.51x | England 2.43x
- Spread: France -1.5 (3.03x)
- Total Goals: Over 2.5 (2.08x) - Under 2.5 (1.69x)
Spain vs. Argentina – World Cup Final – July 19, 2026
Date: Sunday, July 19
Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET
How to Watch Spain vs. Argentina: FOX (English) / Telemundo (Spanish)
Venue: MetLife Stadium (New Jersey Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Winner Payout: Spain 1.63x | Argentina 2.22x
- Spread: Spain -1.5 (4.16x)
- Total Goals: Over 2.5 (2.17x) | Under 2.5 (1.63x)
Payouts show potential returns on correct PrizePicks Team Picks predictions. For example, a 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect more likely outcomes. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.
Spain or Argentina? France or England? Pick World Cup winners on PrizePicks now!
France vs. England – World Cup Bronze Final Prediction on Total Goals
France is the Bronze Final’s clear favorite at PrizePicks, possessing a 1.51x return on successful winner picks. England’s less optimistic 2.43x winner pick has a solid explanation, though.
France is resolute in the face of losing 0-2 to Spain in Tuesday’s semifinal. The arrival of Bastille Day and the 10-year Nice truck attack anniversary meant French players kept the outcome in perspective. Les Bleus still intend to medal in three straight World Cups.
England, by contrast, is mired in a den of despair after blowing a 1-0 lead to lose to Argentina. Manager Thomas Tuchel, hyped by many as the Three Lions’ savior following England’s brilliant qualification run, must now answer loud criticism from UK supporters over the letdown.
Tuchel’s shift into a counterattacking shape in Wednesday’s second half was no surprise. What shocked fans was how the coach slowed down his team’s pace by inserting six defenders, leaving England without enough speed to counter Argentina’s deadly late possessions.
ST Harry Kane and MF Jude Bellingham combined for 0 touches in Argentina’s box, They were offered no help from swift Bukayo Saka, kept on the bench by Tuchel despite his 3 assists in World Cup 2026.
Whether England or France claims “consolation” bronze is of little concern for many PrizePicks users prowling the over/under (3.5) total goals market. Those who favor the “over” may predict a shootout of Kane vs. Kylian Mbappé, scoring on disenchanted defenders.
France vs. England matchups have averaged 3 total goals in the last 7 FIFA and UEFA games, per 11v11. France won Qatar 2022’s quarterfinal 2-1 on a goal from former ST Olivier Giroud.
Bronze Final matches can be high-scoring because they don’t always feature hard tackling. France’s last third-place match in the World Cup was a 4-2 triumph over Belgium in 1986.
Cinderella teams defend hard for bronze, as illustrated by Croatia and Morocco’s 23 combined fouls at Qatar 2022. 2018’s England-Belgium tilt had just 16 fouls, per ESPN.
Bronze Final goals also count in the Golden Boot race, letting the tied Mbappé and Messi have a “remote” duel as an encore to 2022. Marcus Rashford is projected to sprint on England’s left flank opposite Ousmane Dembélé, a matchup that could produce fireworks.
Rashford has performed just 209 minutes while scoring once, versus Dembélé’s 5 goals in 595.
Will it be too hot to play much offense in Miami? Probably not. Forecasts call for temperatures in the 80s, drizzling rain, and a breeze that can keep players cool while posing problems for GKs. Reece James’ injury could chill the efficiency of England’s defense on a warm evening.
England’s tactics may shift abruptly in the backlash against Tuchel. England held the ball for just 39% against aging Argentina, compared to France winning possession 46-45% vs. Spain, per FIFA. Tuchel may not want to go down as England’s coach who tied Kane’s boots together.
France’s high final-third press in Les Bleus’ loss to Spain showed that coach Didier Deschamps is always thinking of the counter. Deschamps, managing his farewell game for Les Bleus, may also lean toward forward attacking numbers. Who wants a 0-0 draw on their way out?
France GK Mike Maignan and rival Jordan Pickford may be busy making saves, but either man could anchor an aggressive out-from-the-back attack if his team trails 2-1. It’s fair to weigh the possibility of some action on goals in a Bronze Final of fantastic forwards and fading back lines.
Lock in your France vs. England prediction on PrizePicks before kickoff!
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Spain vs. Argentina Prediction for World Cup Final: Who Will Win?
Sunday’s finale of Spain vs. Argentina is a rare matchup. It was 1966 when La Roja and La Selección last met in the FIFA World Cup. Since that year’s 2-1 group-stage win for Argentina, there is no meaningful counter of clashes between Sunday’s warring giants.
Argentina’s tiebreaker triumph over France to win the last World Cup couldn’t have come in a more different scenario than this World Cup Final in New Jersey. It was a rematch of Russia 2018’s knockout-stage loss for Argentina, contested far across the globe at Qatar 2022.
Argentina has won three World Cups, while Spain’s 2010 win is La Roja’s only world championship to date. Argentina wants to be the first nation to defend World Cup gold since Brazil in 1962.
At press time, smoke from Canada’s wildfires is expected to clear from New Jersey by Sunday, although “lingering smoke” could leave the skies hazy over MetLife Stadium, per CNN.
Spain vs. Argentina is a true clash of “irresistible force meets immovable object.” Messi is the focal point of the World Cup again, and Argentina’s hopes ride with him. Spain will rely on goalkeeper Unai Simón’s stout back line against history’s greatest striker.
Don’t forget Lamine Yamal, Spain’s sensational teen RW who tricked the trousers off Les Bleus defenders on Tuesday. Spain’s PrizePicks winner prediction hints that La Roja could be potent with the ball against La Selección.
But the World Cup Final’s chief angle is the matchup of Spain’s terrific teamwork against Messi’s genius, which was on full display Wednesday.
One faint criticism behind Messi’s “GOAT” status at World Cup 2026 is that No. 10’s longevity makes him the GOAT, or that Messi still “keeps up” with Kane or Vini Jr. Messi has eclipsed that reputation this summer, factoring in a crazy 12 of Argentina’s 19 goals.
No. 10 could become only the fourth man to win Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards in the same World Cup.
La Roja survived a tougher road to reach July 19. Yamal’s team outplayed Portugal, Belgium, and France. Argentina needed drama to win each of its knockout bouts with Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England. Spain could set a record by allowing only 1 goal in the 2026 World Cup, but La Roja remains paired with the tournament’s highest-scoring team in Argentina.
The intensity of the final may test Spain’s depth against Argentina’s selection of subs, bringing Pedri back into focus as more than a sidekick to Rodri in Spain’s midfield. Spain FW Mikel Oyarzabal can’t add to his impressive 5 World Cup 2026 goals without through-balls.
Rodri forced 19 turnovers in the semis, more than all but two of Argentina’s midfielders, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister, have forced in 7 games.
Spain midfielder Fabián Ruiz may be matched vs. Messi on the left side of Spain’s shape, having nudged Pedri for playing time despite the latter player’s fleet-footed 8.21 km/h average speed as a sub vs. France.
Spain hogging possession could still be a double-edged sword, allowing Argentina’s older team a chance to stand firm, then sprint when the time is right. The defending champs’ passion and stamina have helped mint goals at the 80’ mark or later in each of Argentina’s last 6 matches.
Argentina might be better prepared to hold a 1-0 lead in the final, given that Spain hasn’t trailed yet and would have to revamp its keep-away tactics if La Roja falls behind. If the Argentines trail, Messi’s boot is “assurance” that Argentina can come back, as Colin Cowherd puts it.
When it feels like a toss-up, the ‘dog is always in play as a potential option. The under-2.5 pick is more popular than Argentina’s prediction to repeat? That’s not a Golden Bandwagon.
Argentina’s attack, supported by ST Julián Álvarez next to Messi in Sunday’s projected lineups, has scored +0.85 goals relative to xG compared to Spain’s -0.16, per FootyStats.
La Selección is fooling the computers. Argentina could fool the experts once more by winning 2026’s finale.
Who will win Sunday’s Spain vs. Argentina World Cup Final? Make your World Cup prediction on PrizePicks!
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Make World Cup Third-Place Match and World Cup Final Predictions on PrizePicks
The 2026 World Cup’s Spain vs. Argentina final pits the greatest footballer of all time against Spain’s classy defending. Argentina’s underdog winner prediction is an intriguing one, and France vs. England in the Third-Place match could also bring the excitement.
Don’t wait until lock to make predictions on World Cup matches. Make your World Cup predictions on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
With Team Picks, you can make predictions on World Cup match winners, spreads, over/unders, and futures, now available in 35 states. Plus, you can pick World Cup players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right on Player Picks!
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