Spain-Argentina meet 60 years later for 1st final

Despite their reputations as football powerhouses, Spain and Argentina have not crossed paths often.

You would think that the two Hispanic nations would have plenty of shared history, with a combined four World Cup titles and 20 continental crowns in the men’s game.

They even share a footballing icon: Alfredo di Stéfano represented both national teams during his storied career, sporting Argentina’s white-and-blue shirt in 1947 before switching to Spanish red a decade later.

But the 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be their first competitive meeting in 60 years, when La Roja and La Albiceleste were drawn together in the 1966 group stage in Birmingham, Great Britain.

A brace from Luis Artime cancelled out José Martínez Sánchez “Pirri”‘s strike in a frantic second half – all three goals came within 13 minutes – as Argentina began their Group 2 campaign with a 2-1 win.

Neither team had added a star to their badge at the time they played at Villa Park, though Spain were the reigning European champions. They come into this year’s final with the same distinction, with Argentina the most recent victors of the Copa América, both accomplished in 2024.

All eight men’s world champions have hailed from Europe and South America. But for the first time in the near century-long history of the men’s World Cup, its respective continental champions will do battle in the final to crown the kings of world football.