William Hill News tipster @Footy_Tipster previews Sunday’s 2026 World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.
After 37 days of non‑stop football, this is the one. The 2026 World Cup final takes place on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where Spain face reigning champions Argentina
The European champions take on the world champions on Sunday, but much of the pre‑match conversation has centred around two players at completely different stages of their careers. Nineteen‑year‑old Lamine Yamal and thirty‑nine‑year‑old Lionel Messi will share the pitch for the first time and in a World Cup final — a storyline almost too perfect to script.
Messi, widely regarded as the GOAT, faces the player many believe could one day inherit his crown. It’s an intriguing battle made even more compelling by the fact that these two superstars are the leading contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
A photo of Messi cradling Yamal as a baby resurfaced this week — taken after Yamal’s family won a competition back in 2007. Nineteen years later, the pair meet on football’s biggest stage. Football really does produce the most extraordinary narratives.
Who Comes Out on Top?
Spain’s dismantling of tournament favourites France in the semi‑final is impossible to ignore, and although Argentina have once again shown their trademark never‑say‑die attitude, this feels like Spain’s moment. That said, Yamal has found life tougher in front of goal, scoring just once at this World Cup amid reports he has been carrying a knock.
Messi, meanwhile, has carried Argentina to the final. He has eight goals, shares the Golden Boot lead with Kylian Mbappé, and has registered a goal involvement in every single game of the tournament. Even at thirty‑nine, he shows no sign of slowing down.
William Hill have boosted Lamine Yamal to score anytime to 11/4, but the value looks to be with Messi, who has also been boosted from 6/4 to 7/4 to score anytime — a price that’s hard to ignore given his form.
Punters can also back both players to score at 7/1 on William Hill’s Bet Builder Hub.
