Spain to lift World Cup after 3-1 Win over Argentina — McManaman

Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman has backed Spain to defeat Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, predicting a 3-1 victory for the European champions.

Spain and Argentina are set to face off in New York on Sunday, with the encounter marking their first meeting at the World Cup since 1966.

Speaking as an ESPN FC pundit, McManaman said he expects Spain to secure a comfortable win but declined to provide further details about his prediction.

“I’m going 3-1 to Spain. I’ll be nice and concise,” he said.

Spain booked their place in the final after a dominant 2-0 victory over tournament favourites France in their semi-final clash in Dallas on Tuesday. The result moved Luis de la Fuente’s side closer to a second World Cup title and their first since 2010.

Argentina, meanwhile, reached the final after securing a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over England in the semi-final. The South Americans scored twice in the final minutes and stoppage time to seal their seventh victory of the tournament.

The two nations have met only once previously at the World Cup. Their 1966 group-stage encounter in England ended in a 2-1 victory for Argentina, who later exited the tournament in the quarter-finals after losing narrowly to eventual champions England.

McManaman believes Spain will be motivated to overcome that historical setback in Sunday’s final. The two teams had also been scheduled to meet in the Finalissima in March, but the fixture was cancelled.