Argentina vs Spain: Tactics, stars and off-pitch backlash
Argentina vs Spain: Tactics, stars and off-pitch backlash
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1 min
The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its climax as Spain take on Argentina in a highly anticipated final. The match pits the defending champions against one of football’s rising powers, with Lionel Messi’s enduring legacy meeting the emergence of Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal
Beyond the action on the pitch, the tournament has also sparked debate over its growing American influence, from soaring ticket prices and extended half-time entertainment to hydration breaks and the prominent role played by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump.
What can fans expect from the final? Which tactical battle could decide the outcome? And what does this World Cup say about the future of football?
Yinka Oyetade is joined by Eduardo Tansley, sports journalist at the Athletic, and France 24’s International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani, discuss the Messi-Yamal relation and examine the controversies surrounding the tournament.