World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Argentina and Spain are in different groups at the 2026 World Cup. A direct meeting can happen from the knockout stage onwards. On the FIFA ranking, Argentina are the favourite — a 2-place gap.
De huidige nummer 1 en EK-winnaar. Wereldkampioen tegen Europees kampioen. Mogelijk dé droomfinale van 2026.
| Argentina 🇦🇷 | Metric | 🇪🇸 Spain |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | FIFA Ranking | #3 |
| Group J | Group | Group H |
| CONMEBOL | Confederation | UEFA |
| Lionel Scaloni | Head coach | Luis de la Fuente |
| 19 | WC appearances | 17 |
| World champion (1978, 1986, 2022) | Best WC | World champion (2010) |
Reigning champions, world number one, with Messi on his farewell tour — it's hard to think of more reasons to label Argentina the top favourite. Behind Messi stands a team that wins without him too: Martínez intimidates keepers, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández control any midfield, Álvarez and Almada find the goals. Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan is a winning formality. The question isn't whether Argentina reach the quarter-finals, but whether Scaloni keeps them fresh until the final. A title defence would place Messi alongside Pelé and above Maradona. A semi-final is the minimum; anything less is failure.
Possibly the hottest title favourite at the start. They won Euro 2024 without trouble, and that team has only got better. Yamal plays his first World Cup at 18 — a world wonder. Alongside him: Rodri (2024 Ballon d'Or), Pedri, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Laporte. A generation you see once a decade. The problem? Spain lost to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup Round of 16 despite 76% possession — tactical antidote to tiki-taka 2.0 exists. In Group H, Uruguay is the real test. If they exit the group with confidence: semi-final minimum, final very realistic.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this dream matchup.
Start predicting →Argentina and Spain are not in the same group. A meeting can only happen from the knockout stage (Round of 16 onwards).
On the FIFA world ranking, Argentina (#1) are favoured over Spain (#3). The gap is 2 ranking places.
Argentina: World champion (1978, 1986, 2022) (19 World Cup appearances). Spain: World champion (2010) (17 World Cup appearances).
Argentina are coached by Lionel Scaloni. Spain are coached by Luis de la Fuente.
Argentina play in Group J. Spain play in Group H.
Last updated: 2026-06-07