Possible 2026 World Cup Finals: Three Intriguing Rematches and One Unfulfilled Clash

The thrilling semi-finals pitting France against Spain and England against Argentina present four distinct scenarios for the 2026 World Cup final. Regardless of how the battle for the trophy unfolds in New York on Sunday, it promises an intriguing clash between two of the tournament's pre-tournament favorites.

Perhaps the most anticipated final for many football fans would be France versus Argentina. This would be a rematch of their 2022 World Cup final encounter, widely regarded by many as the greatest final in history. That match saw a 2-2 draw after regular time, extending to 3-3 after extra time, ultimately leading to a penalty shootout where Lionel Messi and his teammates triumphed.

A Spain versus Argentina final, on the other hand, would be a fitting contest for the “Finalissima” trophy, bringing together the European champions and the South American champions. Such a clash was initially planned for late March in Qatar, but the conflict in the Middle East made its staging there impossible, and the two teams were unable to agree on an alternative venue.

A Spain versus England final would feel quite familiar, as this was precisely the battle for the Euro 2024 trophy. The two teams met in that tournament's final, with Luis de la Fuente's squad emerging victorious with a 2-1 win, thanks to a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Should a France versus England final materialize, it would mark a clash between the two nations in a second consecutive World Cup. At the 2022 World Cup, the teams faced off in the quarter-finals, where "Les Bleus" prevailed 2-1. England captain Harry Kane became the unfortunate villain for his team, missing his second penalty in that decisive match.