Spain v Argentina in the World Cup final: the referee, the stats and the omens
Spain and Argentina are set to face off in the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey. Analysts are examining referee statistics, historical trends, and rest periods to predict the outcome of the match.
Why it matters
The World Cup final is a major global sporting event with significant cultural and economic impact.
Argentina’s Luis Artime controls the ball against Spain at Villa Park in 1966; Lionel Messi is embraced by Lionel Scaloni after the World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands in Qatar; the World Cup ring, referee Slavko Vincic and Spain lift the World Cup in 2010. Composite: AFP/Getty Images, Fifa and Reuters/Guardian Design Argentina’s Luis Artime controls the ball against Spain at Villa Park in 1966; Lionel Messi is embraced by Lionel Scaloni after the World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands in Qatar; the World Cup ring, referee Slavko Vincic and Spain lift the World Cup in 2010. Composite: AFP/Getty Images, Fifa and Reuters/Guardian Design World Cup 2026 Spain v Argentina in the World Cup final: the referee, the stats and the omens As the top two in the Fifa rankings prepare to meet in New Jersey on Sunday we look at the pointers that may help decide the game
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