Scaloni: ‘We haven’t analyzed Spain more than any other team’ ahead of World Cup final

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has insisted that his coaching staff have not devoted special attention to studying Spain ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final, despite the two nations having been scheduled to meet in March.

Speaking at the official pre-match press conference on Friday at MetLife Stadium, Scaloni revealed that Argentina’s analytical work began long before they knew who their final opponent would be.

“We’ve been analyzing the possible World Cup opponents since December; it’s not that we’ve analyzed Spain more than any other,” Scaloni said. “We analyzed the entire path that could be. We looked at Spain because of the Finalissima, but also at every possible World Cup rival. It’s not that I’m analyzing them more than anyone else”.

The much-anticipated Finalissima between the Copa América champions and the European champions was scheduled for March in Qatar but was later cancelled. Scaloni acknowledged that Spain have evolved since then, but he dismissed the notion that overthinking the opposition would be beneficial.

“Overanalysis isn’t good either,” he said. “We’re national teams that know each other. Everyone knows their strengths, and we will try to make them suffer in the areas where they might struggle”.

Respect for Spain’s Quality

Scaloni did not hide his admiration for Luis de la Fuente’s side, who reached the final with a commanding 2-0 victory over tournament favourites France in Dallas.

“Spain have gone from strength to strength, and their last match was their best, against a great rival like France,” Scaloni said. “The two teams that deserve to be in the final have arrived”.

When asked whether he was concerned about Spain, Scaloni responded with typical candour: “If Spain leaves the hotel, I am already concerned. Once they are on the bus and they leave the hotel, I am concerned. They are a great team. Everything concerns me about Spain”.

He also paid tribute to his Spanish counterpart, with whom he shares a long-standing relationship from their coaching course days at Las Rozas. “Everyone in that coaching group has great memories of him. He was one of the professors who gave us the most,” Scaloni recalled.

Experience ‘Not a Handicap’ – For Either Side

Scaloni dismissed suggestions that Argentina’s previous World Cup final experience – they won the 2022 edition in Qatar – would give them a psychological advantage.

“They also have players who have played in globally big stages,” Scaloni said. “When the pressure comes, when the ball starts rolling, players forget about this and just focus on playing. They played a Euro final and a Nations League final. They also have a great deal of experience. I don’t think being in a final again plays in our favor”.

‘Beyond Being a Final, It’s a Football Match’

Scaloni stressed that his team are treating Sunday’s showpiece like any other game.

“Beyond being a World Cup final, it’s a football match in which we need to give our best version. We don’t put it in our heads that it’s a world final. We prepare it to the maximum, like every match”.

He also confirmed that all players are in good condition ahead of the final, though Friday’s training session was disrupted by FIFA-imposed scheduling. “Tomorrow’s training will be an important one, but in principle, all the players are doing well”.

Argentina’s path to the final has been anything but smooth – they needed extra time to beat Cape Verde and Switzerland, and a stoppage-time goal to edge past Egypt, before Lautaro Martínez’s dramatic 92nd-minute winner sealed a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semi-finals.

Spain, by contrast, have been the tournament’s most controlled side – Rodri has recorded 794 touches and 655 successful passes, the highest figures at the 2026 World Cup. The final, kicking off at 3pm ET on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, promises a fascinating clash of styles: Spain’s tactical precision against Argentina’s chaotic resilience.

“We need to bring out our best version to try to win,” Scaloni said. “We’re a team that’s already well-known by our rivals, and that’s why it has double merit to have reached where we have”.