Argentina enter the final hours before the 2026 World Cup final with a familiar structure and two decisions still unresolved. Lionel Scaloni intends to preserve the core that carried the team into the title match, but he is assessing alternatives at right-back and on the right side of midfield against Spain.
The first choice is between Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina. Molina started for much of the tournament, although his performance against England reopened the competition. Montiel came on in the second half of the semifinal, responded with authority and strengthened his case.
The second question involves Rodrigo De Paul and Giuliano Simeone. De Paul began the England match outside the starting eleven, but his introduction changed Argentina’s tempo and reinforced his push to return in a final where his experience and influence may carry significant weight.
Giovani Lo Celso also received encouraging signs in the final training session. He was given one of the bibs distributed by Scaloni, although he currently appears more likely to provide an option from the bench than to replace a regular starter.
The probable lineup has Emiliano Martínez in goal; Montiel or Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Nicolás Tagliafico in defence; Simeone or De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield; Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez in attack.
The final will be played on Sunday, 19 July, at 4:00 p.m. Argentine time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Argentina will chase back-to-back titles with a settled core, two tactical choices pending and the knowledge that every detail can decide the tournament.
