Spain vs Argentina World Cup final predictions: Winners plus Golden Ball and Golden Boot picks - The New York Times
The World Cup final, featuring Argentina and Spain, is set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this Sunday. This match marks a return to the final for Lionel Messi, who secured his first World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. For Spain, it will be the first final appearance for Lamine Yamal.
The two players, Messi and Yamal, have not previously competed against each other on the pitch. Argentina reached the final after a comeback victory against England in the semi-finals.
Ticket Prices Reach Record Highs
The World Cup final is projected to be the most expensive sporting event ever held in the U.S., based on ticket prices on resale markets. Data from TickPick, a secondary ticket marketplace, indicates that the average ticket price for the Argentina-Spain matchup has surpassed those of other major events, including the Super Bowl and NBA Finals.
The entry-level price for a single ticket to the final is $6,943. This figure represents a slight decrease from approximately $7,200 before Argentina’s semi-final win over England. The average purchase price for a ticket to the final has reached $11,327, which TickPick reports as the highest ever recorded.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the most expensive ticket transaction involved two tickets in Section 115A of MetLife Stadium, priced at $28,479 each, totaling $56,958.
Other notable expensive sporting events in U.S. history, based on average purchase price, include:
- Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 (San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs): $9,411
- Super Bowl LV in 2021 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs): $7,313
- Super Bowl LIV in 2020 (Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers): $6,546
- 2026 NBA Finals Game 3 (New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs): $6,308
Ticket prices for the third-place match between France and England are nearly $900, having dropped by approximately $300 following England’s loss to Argentina.
Tournament Overview and Individual Awards
The 2026 World Cup is considered the most expensive tournament in the 96-year history of FIFA‘s event, according to various metrics. At the start of the tournament, the average ticket price was $1,622, a figure that increased to $4,162 for the semi-finals. However, some ticket prices on the secondary market decreased during the tournament, including for the quarter-final match involving Spain and Belgium.
Individual awards will also be determined after the final. These include the Golden Ball for the best player, the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper, and the Golden Boot for the top goalscorer. Messi currently leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists. Kylian Mbappe is in second place with eight goals and three assists. Erling Haaland, whose Norway team was eliminated, has seven goals, while Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane each have six goals; Bellingham and Kane could still play against Mbappe in the bronze medal game on Saturday.
Several writers offered their perspectives on the final. Some believe Spain will win, citing their confidence, strong form, and tactical plan under Luis de la Fuente. They noted Spain’s ability to control possession and their impressive performance against France in the semi-finals. Others, however, are backing Argentina, highlighting the team’s resilience, comeback victories throughout the tournament, and the influence of Messi. They suggest Argentina’s strong belief and determination to play for Messi’s legacy could lead to their best performance in the final.
The discussion also touched on whether Argentina and Spain are the two best teams in the world. While some writers believe France, despite their semi-final loss to Spain, might still be considered among the top teams, others argue that results are paramount in football, and both Argentina and Spain have demonstrated their ability to overcome challenges to reach the final. The match promises to be a fascinating conclusion to the tournament.
Source: nytimes.com
