Is France Facing Argentina Again in 2026 FIFA World Cup Final? Here's the Possible Finalist

Some nights in football just refuse to fade from memory, and December 18, 2022, was one of those special occasions. Under the lights of Lusail Stadium, in front of nearly 89,000 fans, with a swinging of the scoreline swung like a pendulum as two of the greatest players of a generation traded blows until the very last kick.

A game that captivated the minds of a billion eyes while also turning out to be the coronation of the world's greatest footballer. The Final, however, served as Argentina's answer to a wound France had inflicted four years earlier when, at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a teenage Mbappe announced himself on the same stage, scoring twice as France stunned Argentina 4-3 in the round of 16.

Lusail was Argentina's retaliation, delivered in full. It wasn't just a final; it was a clash of eras, a duel between a great man closing his career and one just beginning on the pursuit of greatness.

The Road Back to a Possible Final

With the 2026 semifinals locked in, the dream of a France vs Argentina 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is alive, but it isn't guaranteed. Four teams remain, namely France, Spain, England, and Argentina. The top teams in the FIFA international rankings have subsequently come together in a bracket, setting up two mouthwatering semifinal ties before anyone reaches New Jersey on July 19.

Possible Final Permutations

Only one of these four outcomes delivers the rematch the world is waiting for. The other three still promise gripping football, but they'd rewrite the script fans have been hoping to see since Lusail.

What Would It Take to Make This Ideal Matchup?

A second Mbappe-Messi showdown would draw in fans who don't even follow the sport closely, simply because of what 2022 represented: two icons, one moment, and a scoreline nobody expected. Beyond the two captains, this final would also carry interesting subplots of its own.

Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise will be carrying France's attacking width, while Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are sharpening Argentina's edge up front.

What Argentina Needs to Do

Argentina's 2026 campaign has shown concerning signs as the defending champions needed extra time to see off Switzerland in the quarterfinal, with Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez doing the finishing that Lionel Messi, for once, couldn't. Messi's eight goals through six matches have been a herculean effort as they look beatable compared to their 2022 version.

With pundits largely installing England as favourites on the back of a deeper, more balanced squad led by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, La Albiceleste finds itself in the familiar territory of being underestimated before a ball is kicked.

What France Needs to Do

France's tournament, by contrast, has looked more assured on paper, built around Kylian Mbappe's continued scoring form and timely contributions from Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. While Spain are the reigning European champions, bookmakers still believe in Les Blues.