Searching for the best bet builder tips for the World Cup final? We’ve picked out our best 9/1 bet builder ahead of the huge final between Spain and Argentina.
Spain and Argentina will headline the tournament showpiece when they meet in the 2026 World Cup Final on Sunday 19th July, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00pm (UK time) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A place in the history books is at stake with both sides hoping to lift the famous trophy above their heads on Sunday night.
Spain to win
Spain have been the most complete team at this World Cup and their path to the final proves it. They dismantled Austria 3-0 in the last 16, ground out a 1-0 win over Portugal, edged Belgium 2-1 in the quarters and then dominated France 2-0 in the semis – four knockout wins against nations with a combined eight World Cup titles between them. Defensively they have been extraordinary: just one goal conceded in seven games and six clean sheets. No team has come close to breaching them consistently. They dominate possession (63.8%) and pass accuracy (89.8%), dictating the tempo of every game. Argentina, by contrast, have conceded seven goals and needed extra time in three of their four knockout rounds – including scraping past England 2-1 in the semis. Spain are fresher, tighter at the back and more ruthless in control. They look the team built for this occasion.
Over 2.5 Goals
Argentina simply do not play low-scoring football. Every one of their knockout games has produced three goals or more – Cape Verde 3-2, Egypt 3-2, Switzerland 3-1 and England 2-1 in the semi. Across the tournament they have scored 19 goals in seven games, averaging 2.71 per match, with an xG of 17.69 that confirms they consistently create high-quality chances. Spain bring 13 goals of their own from an even higher xG of 16.99, meaning they have been wasteful – but the chances are there, 120 shots worth. The key here is Argentina’s defence. Seven goals conceded in seven games means they leak at least one per match on average, and Spain’s patient, possession-heavy attack is tailor-made to exploit that. When one side creates like Spain and the other concedes like Argentina, goals are virtually inevitable. Both teams have the firepower – this final should deliver.
Mikel Oyarzabal to score anytime
Oyarzabal has been Spain’s talisman up front with five goals in seven starts – scoring in more games than not throughout the tournament. Playing as the central striker, all five of his goals have come from inside the box, showing the kind of predatory positioning that makes him a constant penalty-area threat. His big-chance conversion rate is outstanding: five goals from six big chances (83%), meaning when the opportunity falls his way he almost never misses. He has also chipped in with an assist, proving he is more than a pure finisher. Argentina have conceded seven goals this World Cup and their defence has been breached in five of their seven games. If Spain’s midfield can create the same volume of chances they carved against France and Belgium, Oyarzabal will be waiting to finish them. He is in the form of his life.
Lionel Messi to score or assist
Messi has 12 direct goal involvements in six games at this World Cup – eight goals and four assists – averaging two per match. That is a staggering return that no other player in the tournament can match. He is level with Mbappé on eight goals for the Golden Boot, but Mbappé is eliminated – meaning Messi could clinch it outright in the final, a motivation that should not be underestimated in what is almost certainly his last ever World Cup at 39. Beyond the goals, his creative numbers are elite: nine big chances created, four accurate through balls leading to one-on-one situations, and 12 total assists to shots on target. He completes 69% of his take-ons from 35 dribble attempts, routinely beating defenders to open space for himself and teammates. Spain’s defence has been superb this tournament, but they have never faced a player with this level of combined goal threat and creative output in a single match.
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